BlimpMaster Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Here are a couple of linkts to two of my recent panoramic aerial photographs. They are each a couple of megs, so they may take a while to download. This is from Spokane, Washington. http://www.usablimpaerialphotography.com/BlimpMaster_Spokane_SRM.htm This one is from Couer d'Alene, Idaho. http://www.usablimpaerialphotography.com/BlimpMaster_CdA_SRM.htm I used ptgui for stitching, and photoshop cs3 for fine tuning the seams. The stitched image was about 700mb while working the layers. It is made from 8 images out of 24 that were taken. When printed they are 1' by 8', and could go up to 2' by 16'. I have attached to jpg images taken from the above panoramic aerial photographs. BlimpMaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 whoa, sweet. how did you get that high, hot-air baloon, helicopter, or are jou in a tower of some kind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlimpMaster Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 I used a Helium Blimp for the images posted, but I also have a 35' tower, and a 100' tower for the lower elevations. I rent a Helicopter when I need it for heights that are higher than 500'. I have also rented a crane (as a last resort) when the wind conditions don't let up enough for my Blimp. In 1998 my wife and I spent 6 weeks in Leiden (while my wife was working in the Hague). I miss all that great cheese, the mass transit, and the stroop waffles. Attached are some of my photographs taken in Holland with a Polaroid SX-70. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I had a look round some blimp photogpraphy enthusiast websites a while back. They are a very dedicated crowd I think! I was wondering, how do you get the camera to turn 360 degrees? Is it masterful piloting or do you have a pivot rig in the camera harness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 shu, nice images! its difficult to make out what stations those are cause everything has changed here since then, I came here in '99-'01, left for a couple of years and now I'm back. so I guess blimp photography is big business since you will even hire a crane to get the shot. may I ask what an Image, such as the ones you have posted, brings into the wallet? just p.m. me if you don't want to reveal to all, one of my passionate hobbies are photography Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlimpMaster Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 I'll try to answer the two previous posts. I use a remote rig that I had custom made that allows me to remotely pan and tilt, I retouch any anchor lines out of the final panorama. The camera has a little video spy camera that sees through the camera and transmits to a baby monitor receiver. I have a radio trigger (pocket wizard flash remote) that fires the camera. As far as the fees go (nothing to hide), I start at $2,500 and go up from there depending on the height of the elevations needed (higher up is more money, just like the condo units), and if the client wants 360 panoramic photographs (some just want still photographs which is less expensive for the client). I have had jobs go over $20k (seems like a lot until you look at two cross country trips for 5 days each, and about 3 solid days of post production photoshop work, and the cost of marketing to get the job, and the insurance, and the ... etc.). There are others that charge much less (they may not understand the value of what it is they are providing), but they are unable to deliver the quality of the product, and the quality of the service I have to offer. If you need help bidding a job for panoramic aerial photography, please contact me and I'll try to answer any specific questions you may have (and please forward my info to anyone that you think may need my services). So far I have only had jobs in the US, but I am open to traveling anywhere. My equipment travels well, and if I need to, I just pay the charges for the extra baggage. I figure I have invested around 50k in research and development of my system (not counting my time). This service is unique and extremely valuable for developers and real estate marketing firms. The aerial panoramic photographs I create help them presell the condo units, or the office space, prior to construction, which also helps with the financing of the projects. I also creat aerial panoramic photographs for property owners who are selling raw (or underdeveloped land) with height limits of between 45' and 350'. The money spent by most of my clients is an "investment", not an "expense", it pays for itself many times over. I have attached three photographs, showing my first blimp, my first camera rig, and an oblique aerial of courtyard. I have since moved to a more modern blimp platform, and my camera rig has undergone a few modifications as well. Jay aka BlimpMaster www.BlimpMaster.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlimpMaster Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Here are the three images that were not uploaded with the previous post BlimpMaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Really interesting to see your rig. The blimp is bigger than i expected. Do you rent it or is it yours? on a side note about your rig:........ I just love gaffer tape. I cant help it. I just love it. I had a friend who was a stage technician, he said he once built a whole set, mike stands, lighting rig, backdrop,the whole shooting match, entirely out of gaffer tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlimpMaster Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Tommy, The blimp in the picture is mine. I purchased it from a friend who bought it (and an whole truckload of stuff) from an estate. The blimp I am currently using is smaller in size, but has a similar net lift. The WWII blimp weighs 40 pounds. I sometimes hire myself and my blimp to photographers when the occasion comes up (sometimes it is a split fee arrangement). Gaffer tape is great! Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 whoo hoo, man, looks like you have a fun job, that is once you start taking photos, I'm sure ALLOT of planning goes into one shoot. and what would i give to be an 'intern' for you. hehehe There has been a couple requests here for people doing aerial photography and I'm sure when another request comes along your name will surely be mentioned. Have you ever considered hooking up an HD video cam to the rig? you probably already do it Coool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlimpMaster Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 The video aspect is difficult. It can be done, and I have designed a gryo stabilized mount for that purpose, but my background is stills, and that is what most of my clients need. If I get a client that wants video images then I will complete my video rig. The still images can be rotated and manipulated in post production to get the horizon level, buildings square, etc. As far as I can imagine, that would be difficult to do with video. BlimpMaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now