We stay firmly on the ground at all times and only the camera pack is lifted aloft.
Our photographs are taken using professional standard 35mm film cameras. We've fitted a small video camera to replace the still
camera's viewfinder and so we are effectively looking directly through the taking lens. The video picture is sent to
the ground and appears on a screen attached to the control unit.
The cameras are fitted into a pan and tilt rig which is itself mounted in a stabilising gimbal system, also all controlled
by us from the ground.
We have full and direct control over the accurate framing and composition of our photographs.
In some ways, yes. The focus is automatic, as is the frame advance. However, in order to ensure the highest possible
quality images we usually choose to set the aperture and shutter speed manually, related to the quality of light
and the colour and contrast range of the subject
UV filters are a basic necessity and we also need to use polarising filters much more than ground-based photographers.
While they reduce the light level at the film plane by a fair amount that loss of speed is more than made up for by the
increased visual quality and depth of colour.
Normally, no. Fixed focal length lenses are generally of much higher quality. Our photos are often enlarged to
30 or more inches wide (1 metre) from 35mm film and this level of performance is simply not available with most zoom lenses. Zoom lenses also have smaller maximum apertures and need to be stopped down a few stops to sharpen up the quality. They're cheap for a reason.
No. Although digital cameras are improving every year they still offer very poor quality compared to conventional
silver-based photography and are a very long way indeed from being a universal professional choice. It's always important
to use the right tool for the job and in our case, digital just isn't up to the mark.
In truth, digital cameras produce pretty dreadful quality images compared to proper professional cameras. The light-gathering system in a digital camera (be it CCD or CMOS) can't match the response rate, reciprocity range or exposure latitude of film.
Digital cameras are fine as a fancy toy or for occasions when quick, cheap and cheerful content is more important than detail and quality. Photographers who care for and respect their work and the images they take should avoid them whenever possible.
No problem. We regularly work from in among buildings and trees, as well as over lakes and rivers. Even, on more than one occasion,
from a boat. As you can see from some of our sample photos, hanging the camera system over a river, loch or the open sea is not
a problem.
A hot air balloon is just a big fabric bag in a neat shape. The applied heat makes the air (gas) inside expand and this forces out some of the air. This leaves us with a
container of hot and thinner air. The balloon now has buoyancy in comparison to the colder - heavier, denser - air around
it and it therefore has lift.
Hot air balloons work best in cooler air which is why most hot air balloon flights are in the early morning or late evening. If it's too cold, however, there is a danger of icing on the burner gas supply lines, which is why fuel pipe pre-heating and good insulation are essential.
(For the hot-air balloon experts reading this - we know, but let's keep it simple at this stage.)
Remember, we always stay firmly on the ground. The camera rig, burners and the gas fuel are all that go upwards.
There are three digital thermometer sensors built into various parts of the balloon and we can read the digital outputs from down on the ground.
Legally, under normal circumstances, 200 feet is the maximum - actually 197 feet or 60 metres. With permission in advance
from air traffic control our equipment lets us go as high as 400 feet - 120 metres - with the balloon and 800 feet - 240 metres - with the kite, currently.
Which takes less energy? Keeping a four ton helicopter in the air for an hour or so, or keeping a seven pound - 3.2 kilos - camera unit in the air for twenty minutes? It's not hard to see which burns less fuel, is it?
Please use the email link and we'll be happy to try to answer them for you but bear in mind that many of our systems
and designs are confidential.
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