Aerial shots of the parks

[Courtman]

Out of curiosity what kind of camera did you use? I'm planning on buying a new camera for my aerial photography because I'm not happy with mine. Also these were taken from a helicopter you said?

Great pics. I'm a little obsessed with WDW aerial photography as some might know.

Sorry, didn't spot this at first. I use a Nikon D7000 and on this flight I used a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens as we would often be up at 3000ft. Didn't shoot from a helicopter no, the vibrations in that would be interesting to cope with I suspect plus I'm a fixed wing pilot. I was flying a Cessna 172 for this flight, dangling some pretty expensive camera gear out the window.

Glad everyone likes the pics, first time in a few years I've had an opportunity to do some aerial work over Disney.

 

[Courtman]

That "industrial site," is just Port Orleans' cast services.

Very nice pictures by the way!

Wow, that's a big area for cast services! Thanks for the info.

 

[Scuttle]

Sorry, didn't spot this at first. I use a Nikon D7000 and on this flight I used a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens as we would often be up at 3000ft. Didn't shoot from a helicopter no, the vibrations in that would be interesting to cope with I suspect plus I'm a fixed wing pilot. I was flying a Cessna 172 for this flight, dangling some pretty expensive camera gear out the window.

Glad everyone likes the pics, first time in a few years I've had an opportunity to do some aerial work over Disney.

The vibrations weren't bad shooting with the window open? I tried that, but it was way to shaky for me to get any clear shots. Maybe it's due to the quality of my camera. Anyway great shots. I'm going up on Friday (weather pending), so be sure to check back for some aerials.

 

[Courtman]

The vibrations weren't bad shooting with the window open? I tried that, but it was way to shaky for me to get any clear shots. Maybe it's due to the quality of my camera. Anyway great shots. I'm going up on Friday (weather pending), so be sure to check back for some aerials.

No, the main concern I have when shooting from an aeroplane is to keep myself and the camera from touching any part of the airframe as the vibration from the engine is very noticeable. Some of the shots on my Flickr from the Universal area had noticeable vibration in them, probably from leaning on the window frame. In the slipstream it's just a case of holding the lens steady at 80mph, which isn't so bad (although it sounds nuts!). Shooting through the window I generally find a no-no as the reflections are always bad. There is only so much Photoshop can recover.

I look forward to seeing your shots - are you on Flickr? What will you be flying?

 

[woodardfamily]

Great pictures! Do you have an aerial pics of AK by chance?

 

[SulleyanBoo]

Very cool!
It's awesome to get a different picture view.

Thanks for posting

 

[The Mouse]

Epcot is by far the nicest from the sky.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

epic photos! Is it just me or does Cinderella Castle look like a toy from that angle?

 

[Courtman]

Great pictures! Do you have an aerial pics of AK by chance?

A couple, but the park is so covered by trees you don't really get to see much. Somehow I've managed to completely miss the Safari area which is probably more open, but these are what I kept:


Expedition Everest by Adrian Court, on Flickr


Animal Kingdom by Adrian Court, on Flickr

 

[bladerunner]

Thanks for sharing - all your images are beautiful!

 

[JimJam]

I like how we can see part of backstage in most places youd never think there even is backstage area

 

[Scuttle]

No, the main concern I have when shooting from an aeroplane is to keep myself and the camera from touching any part of the airframe as the vibration from the engine is very noticeable. Some of the shots on my Flickr from the Universal area had noticeable vibration in them, probably from leaning on the window frame. In the slipstream it's just a case of holding the lens steady at 80mph, which isn't so bad (although it sounds nuts!). Shooting through the window I generally find a no-no as the reflections are always bad. There is only so much Photoshop can recover.

I look forward to seeing your shots - are you on Flickr? What will you be flying?

No I am not on Flickr, but I will be soon. I'm flying a skyhawk 172, but tomorrow I am going up with my good friend and we will be in a Mooney M20. I love flying that plane. Retractable gear and low wing is quite different from the 172 I am use to. I am hoping for some good shots tomorrow, but I don't think they will turn out that good. Between the windows having a yellow tint and the low wings getting in the way it will be tough to get any good shots, but I'm still going to try. I guess bad aerials are better than no aerials.

 

[flynnibus]

aileron roll.. problem solved

smugmug! while you do pay, its not as limited as flickr and others

flickr is seen as this 'free' service.. but it's free version is so crippled and I hate how it navigates on all levels.

 

[Courtman]

No I am not on Flickr, but I will be soon. I'm flying a skyhawk 172, but tomorrow I am going up with my good friend and we will be in a Mooney M20. I love flying that plane. Retractable gear and low wing is quite different from the 172 I am use to. I am hoping for some good shots tomorrow, but I don't think they will turn out that good. Between the windows having a yellow tint and the low wings getting in the way it will be tough to get any good shots, but I'm still going to try. I guess bad aerials are better than no aerials.

I have about 400hrs in a Mooney, fantastic aeroplane to fly and go places in but as you say not so good for photography! We flew a Mooney from Southern Italy back to the UK, got some good pictures on the way but it's just too fast and slippery to open the DV window and point from. Have fun with the flying and the photography whichever aeroplane it's in!

 

[Courtman]

aileron roll.. problem solved

smugmug! while you do pay, its not as limited as flickr and others

flickr is seen as this 'free' service.. but it's free version is so crippled and I hate how it navigates on all levels.

I agree with you - I pay for Flickr and it's OK but nothing too special. I will be heading to smugmug soon as it has better sale opportunities, and the chance to customise it better.

Oh, but don't agree with you on the aileron roll - the Mooney is a bit slippery to get away with that and holding the camera steady in that move would be a nightmare!!!

 

[Scuttle]

Epcot is by far the nicest from the sky.

Agreed.

 

[Patrick_Ears]

Man these do rock!!!! After seeing the Test Track pic i did notice some cars parked or something parked in the middle of the outside part... First time for me seeing that.

Been on it many times but always looked at the track and not away. :lol:

 

[10Magic]

Outstanding, Adrian! Looks like a morning flight, judging from the shadows. Out of curiosity, do you remember the date? Just wondering if it was in late January when I was there. Thanks!

 

[Courtman]

Outstanding, Adrian! Looks like a morning flight, judging from the shadows. Out of curiosity, do you remember the date? Just wondering if it was in late January when I was there. Thanks!

I flew late morning, airborne at about 11:15 from Kissimmee. It was on January 31st.

 

[Courtman]

Man these do rock!!!! After seeing the Test Track pic i did notice some cars parked or something parked in the middle of the outside part... First time for me seeing that.

Been on it many times but always looked at the track and not away. :lol:

You are dead right - I had never noticed the original Epcot Center logo in the walkway from the Fountain of Nations to World Showcase from the ground for example. Same for the Magic Kingdom logo in between the security booths outside Main Street, the different perspective makes a phenomenal difference - like seeing the Soarin' building squeezed into the back there. As for TT, I'm not even 100% sure you CAN see those cars while whizzing around the loop in the ride vehicles!