DIY Aerial Photography... Really?

[Suhit Gupta]

http://photojojo.com/content/diy/ma...ur-own-sky-cam/

"At 7′6″, Yao Ming is one of the tallest Olympians, one of the most revered basketball players across the world, and we’re willing to bet, were there an Olympic competition for aerial photography, he’d score heads above the rest. Puns aside, getting a camera up into the air is no small (or short) feat. We’re not all tall like Yao Ming, and we don’t always have access to a kite or a plane… Plus, tripods and professional monopods are expensive and weigh about a gajillion pounds. So, we made our own Photojojo Sky-Cam, just for you and just in time for your own photography Olympics."

First thought after reading this (maybe even before reading this) - honestly, why would anyone need this? But even assuming there are opportunities that people want to photograph in this manner, why not just get a monopod? They can be cheap, are extendable and properly built so there is no chance you would drop your camera after a potentially poor DIY job. Finally, Step 6 was the real disappointment for me - I was expecting some clever way of engaging the camera trigger than just using the built in timer. Sorry guys, I am just not sold on this DIY guide.

[Suhit Gupta]

http://photojojo.com/content/diy/ma...ur-own-sky-cam/

"At 7′6″, Yao Ming is one of the tallest Olympians, one of the most revered basketball players across the world, and we’re willing to bet, were there an Olympic competition for aerial photography, he’d score heads above the rest. Puns aside, getting a camera up into the air is no small (or short) feat. We’re not all tall like Yao Ming, and we don’t always have access to a kite or a plane… Plus, tripods and professional monopods are expensive and weigh about a gajillion pounds. So, we made our own Photojojo Sky-Cam, just for you and just in time for your own photography Olympics."

First thought after reading this (maybe even before reading this) - honestly, why would anyone need this? But even assuming there are opportunities that people want to photograph in this manner, why not just get a monopod? They can be cheap, are extendable and properly built so there is no chance you would drop your camera after a potentially poor DIY job. Finally, Step 6 was the real disappointment for me - I was expecting some clever way of engaging the camera trigger than just using the built in timer. Sorry guys, I am just not sold on this DIY guide.

[sundown]

I've done some "aerial" photography using my monopod but the head isn't adjustable so to get down-facing shots, I have to tilt the monopod towards the horizon. It's not an every day need but sometime you find yourself needing a shot from 6 feet in the air.

I love these DIY camera gadgets, though. I've build some out of PVC (figrig clone) and am planning on building a camera crane.