Microstock Photography Forum - General > Photography Equipment

Aerial photos without a drone

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charged:
I just bought the DJI Maverick Mini, so I have that part covered. What I'm thinking about now is I would enjoy getting some aerial photos of people in the city, over crowds. My understanding is flying drone over people is generally frowned upon, and depending on the location it could be illegal. So if I can't use the drone, I'm wondering about what my other options are. I just ordered a 3 meter selfie stick for my GoPro. I was thinking I could just extend it at a 45 degree angle over city crowds. Obviously no where near as high as a drone would be, but better than nothing.

Any other creative ways to get aerial photos without a drone?

Mimi the Cat:
Yes kite photography which was popular before drones

https://fstoppers.com/aerial/beginners-guide-kite-aerial-photography-272868

or camera masts

https://www.cameragrip.com/aerial-mast-photography-filming-sport-analysis/

Opalescence:
Tall houses, bridges, ferris wheels, natural elevations + hefty zoom. People usually assume the photos from such places would be those of immediate vicinity but you can get them from a few kilometres away.

qunamax:
Politely asking janitors to let you use top of the buildings, finding someone who will let you use their terrace,  I think I recently seen somewhere someone using a balloon, climbing on a tree if you feel young enough, putting a rope around tall tree branch... Just a couple of ideas.

Last year I was filming something in forest thou and needed a top down shot, well I climbed a tree and used fully extended tripod as in improvised crane, I found out I was not that young and fit anymore but I was amazed by the shot, it looked so "expensive" and people asked if I owned a drone or a crane. 

Uncle Pete:

--- Quote from: Bad Robot on December 25, 2019, 05:37 ---Yes kite photography which was popular before drones

https://fstoppers.com/aerial/beginners-guide-kite-aerial-photography-272868

or camera masts

https://www.cameragrip.com/aerial-mast-photography-filming-sport-analysis/

--- End quote ---

Leaf had a nice kite photo of farm machinery, before drones. I'm not sure I'd want to fly a 5D on a string, maybe a balloon, but that's been done.

Finding elevated locations works, as some other noted. It's surprising how little one needs to make an elevated shot.

Camera mast, that's what it's called? Heck I didn't know that, I made my own. Stuck a camera threaded stud on top and I've had some interesting results. I'll say I haven't worked it enough, but I see potential.

Something like this:
Extended Length: 40 Feet
Closed Length: 65"
Weight: 13 lbs 8 oz
Base Diameter: 2 7/8"
Number of Sections: 9

Running in the hundreds of dollars and no tripod on the bottom, like the masts. Works really nice with a lighter camera like a gopro.

35 foot, refurbished, about $350 including shipping on eBay. Mine was much less, found in a dumpster.

Here's what mine looks like with a DSLR on it, as a remote, at the races:



Here's the result. An impossible angle? Maybe not a world beater, but the point is, no drone. No license, no crashes, no batteries...



Drones are everywhere, how many 40 foot monopods have you seen?  8)

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