Pole aerial photography and kids

[John Wells]

If you do voluntary work with YACs or school groups, pole aerial photography is a winner.

You can convert carp fishing poles, aluminium masts (a bit heavy if long) or even use a relatively short off-the-shelf (eBay) ?12 monopod.
http://www.armadale.org.uk/bathandbristolyac.htm
http://www.armadale.org.uk/blackness.htm
http://www.armadale.org.uk/cairnpapple.htm
http://www.armadale.org.uk/iandrcyac.htm


It is best to use cameras weighing less than ~250g, especially with fibreglass and the less resilient carbon fibre poles.
Aluminium masts and SLRs are best left to adults.
When using converted fishing poles with children, experience has shown that it is best to use them in push-fit mode rather than telescopic mode, as they can collapse if not extended tightly.

[CARTOON REALITY]

Great fun and much cheaper than buying a helicopter! I couldn't help noticing on the Cairnapple link that children were asked to write down what they would like as grave goods and one gourmet has written 'spag bol.':o)

[BAJR]

Superb!!!

and thanks for spotting the grave goods answer!

How do you trigger the camera? can it be done remotely?

[Hamish]

Have you ever had any problems with the fishing poles splitting ?

[John Wells]

How do you trigger the camera? can it be done remotely?

You can use:
1. The 10 second shutter delay (can be a bit frenetic)
2. Continuous shooting mode with the shutter release button held down by elastic band and bead or cable tie etc

Bits of Meccano are useful too:


3. A camera with an interval mode (time-lapse). We use the waterproof Pentax WG-1
4. The camera's infra-red remote control but if too far a distance attach a GentLed remote trigger
5. The Canon Hacker's Development Kit (CHDK) to program the shutter release
6. A wireless remote (via cable release socket or flash mount)
7. Video - footage can a bit shakey but you can extract single frames

Poles are not limited to outdoors use:

but yellow monochromatic sodium lights are not the best method of illumination.
(http://www.armadale.org.uk/strachur.htm - see pole shots in the rain)

[John Wells]

Have you ever had any problems with the fishing poles splitting ?

Hi Hamish
So far, not with our fibreglass Aldi carp poles, appropriate mounting and a 160g camera. We do cut off the top of the pole http://www.armadale.org.uk/pole.htm
I have heard of people treading on carbon fibre poles and damaging them. I would think that all poles eventually split with use and age, as discovered by Jim Knowles our Trust's archaeologist.

I like using poles in telescopic, rapid deployment mode but the Aldi poles no longer work this way....and they have been shortened!!
We have bought well over 20 Aldi poles, converted them and given them away. Most were set up for telescopic mode and some have had the camera mounting attachment damaged (split wooden bead) through collapse.

I would recommend anyone thinking of using a pole to try a (~6ft with tilt head) monopod first. Using the 10 second shutter delay is then an easy option.
This approach is also good for use at public events when in a crowd.......I find that people duck when you use the pole, giving an even better view ;o)

[John Wells]

Keep your normal camera safe, a pole aerial videography starter kit for less than £50 including 18g keyring camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhFngjTew...e=youtu.be
(Camera £27, Carp fishing pole £17, 2GB micro SD card £2)