Tips & tricks for aerial photography at night
Photographing at night from a helicopter is an exciting but challenging experience. You’re dealing with low light, motion, and sometimes unpredictable weather, all while trying to capture the magic of city lights from above. For a night photography experience over NYC, FlyNYON provides open-door helicopter flights designed for photographers, making it easy to get the perfect shot. Here are some tips to help you get those sharp, vibrant shots and make the most of this incredible opportunity:
1. Use Fast Lenses with Wide Apertures
Low-light conditions at night requilenses that can let in as much light as possible. A lens with a wide aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.8) is ideal because it lets more light in, allowing you to use a faster shutter speed without needing to increase your ISO too much.
Prime lenses are often sharper and faster, so if you have a favorite 35mm or 50mm, bring it along.
2. Set a High ISO, but Keep Noise in Check
Shooting from a moving helicopter at night means you’ll need to increase your ISO to capture enough light for a fast shutter speed. Most modern cameras handle higher ISO pretty well, but aim for the highest ISO you can go without excessive noise (ISO 1600-6400 is often a good range).
Experiment with test shots to find the highest usable ISO for your camera.
3. Choose a Fast Shutter Speed
Motion is a big factor in a helicopter, so a fast shutter speed (1/500s or faster) helps minimize blur. The goal is to freeze any movement caused by the helicopter and to keep your shots sharp.
4. Opt for Vibration Reduction (VR) or Image Stabilization (IS)
If your lens or camera body has image stabilization, turn it on. It can help counteract minor vibrations from the helicopter. However, avoid using it with very high shutter speeds as it can sometimes cause unintended blur when handheld at fast speeds.
5. Shoot in RAW
Shooting in RAW is essential for night photography, as it allows for more flexibility in post-processing. You’ll be able to recover details in shadows and adjust white balance more effectively, which can be a challenge when dealing with artificial city lights.
6. Focus Manually if Possible
Autofocus may struggle in low light, especially with moving subjects. To ensure you get sharp shots, consider setting your focus manually before takeoff. Focus on infinity or on a distant object, then leave it as is for your flight.
7. Use Burst Mode to Capture Multiple Shots
In a moving helicopter, there’s always some motion, so using burst mode (continuous shooting) increases your chances of capturing a sharp image. Take several shots of the same scene so you can select the best ones later.
8. Practice Steady Shooting Technique
Keep your arms close to your body to reduce camera shake, and brace against the frame of the helicopter if possible. Even small adjustments in grip can make a difference in keeping your camera stable in flight.
9. Check the Weather and Timing
Night shots are best when there’s some ambient city glow, so try to shoot around dusk or just after sunset if possible. Also, clear weather is ideal for sharp photos. Check the forecast beforehand, as fog, clouds, or rain can affect visibility and add reflections you may not want.
10. Don’t Forget to Soak in the Moment
It’s easy to get focused on your gear and settings, but take a moment to look out and appreciate the view. Sometimes the most incredible part of photographing from a helicopter at night is just being up there and capturing it all with your eyes, too.
With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to capture the magic of city lights from above, preserving one of the most stunning views a photographer can experience.