Microlight Masterclass

[Carly Drew]

Some of you will have already seen this, but in the August edition of PhotoPlus, we had an aerial photography Masterclass!

Technique editor, Jeff Morgan, climbed into a microlight plane and took to the skies to photograph the land from above. As well as getting some great shots, he also had the trip filmed, so you can see just what he experienced!

You'll find the video on your PhotoPlus video disc, but if you don't have it to hand, you can watch it at the link here: http://youtu.be/rgCNcOwxW_0

Anyone tempted to try microlight photography for themselves?
As someone who doesn't even like getting in a commercial plane, I can't say I'm keen...

[Cathus]

I tried this about 3 years ago, I was hiring a trailer off a guy who owned a microlight plane, the subject came to weather for the holiday & strayed onto his microlight, I said I had an interest in aviation as I photographed planes & he said he wanted an aerial photo of his church for their new website.

Voila, up I went with my 18-55 & 100-400. Managed to take shots of all three kids' schools, the house, church where we married & lots more.

You can see how I got on in my blog entry - http://blog.glnphotography.com/?s=microlight

[Carly Drew]

Blimey! You're much braver than I am, Cathus!

As well as a fear of flying, I have a BIG fear of dropping lenses too! I don't blame you for double-strapping your camera to you!

[Cathus]

I don't really like heights, it makes the soles of my feet go all funny. But this was completely different.

Sticking a 100-400 out the window at 80 mph was an experience, I'm surprised any came out sharp.

[amk1977]

Very cool.

You wouldn't get me on that moped with wings, for all the tea in China though lol. Like Cathus, me no likey heights.

[Frank-Kautz]

A Microlight I could do, someone else is taking care of actually flying it. When I first read it, I thought you were talking about an ultralight. (Picture just for comparison: http://quicksilverultralight.com/ima...rint_Blue2.jpg ) Imagine trying to fly the thing and take pictures at the same time, especially in something quite so, ahem, open.

Frank

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by Carly Drew

Blimey! You're much braver than I am, Cathus!

As well as a fear of flying, I have a BIG fear of dropping lenses too! I don't blame you for double-strapping your camera to you!

So if it had been you in the video we would just hear lots and lots of screaming?

[Jeff Morgan]

Originally Posted by Frank-Kautz

A Microlight I could do, someone else is taking care of actually flying it. When I first read it, I thought you were talking about an ultralight. (Picture just for comparison: http://quicksilverultralight.com/ima...rint_Blue2.jpg ) Imagine trying to fly the thing and take pictures at the same time, especially in something quite so, ahem, open.

Frank

Yes, thankfully someone else was flying it, thank you Brian. Even though newer microlights are better you are still quite "open"

http://www.photoradar.com/photos/134...an/masterclass

[Frank-Kautz]

Hi Jeff,

I just finished your Masterclass article. Do you have a blog or website where you posted the other pictures you took that day? I would love to see them. I am really impressed with the ones I have seen.

Frank

[Jeff Morgan]

Thank you Frank,
If you look in the tutorial files on the cover video disc, there should be 18 images from the flight to look at. I will try and post some here in an album this weekend.
Cheers, Jeff