Kite Aerial Photography 183
SethJohnson writes "People have been attaching cameras to kites for quick-and-dirty aerial photographs for almost a hundred years. Hobbyists have progressed the art far beyond it's quick-and-dirty origins to produce stunning results. NASA even has a fairly detailed how-to using a disposable camera. Looks like a fun science fair project for those dads out there with kids."
I've done it... it's easy (Score:5, Informative)
Those along waterfronts know that daily patterns of onshore and offshore breezes can aid in getting good wind.
Brooks Leffler pioneered the art with a magazine (!!!) that he still has back issues of. He even sells stabilizing tails. The most stunning pictures in my opinion have been by the vastly-experienced Chris Benton [berkeley.edu]... he inspired my finally getting into this. $100 for the kite, $80 for the camera, $100 radio+misc, and you're up and going.
Re:Estes Rocket (Score:1, Informative)
Re:how about X10 (Score:2, Informative)
From a kite flyer (Score:5, Informative)
My fav site for KAP is here. [fortunecity.com]
My website (in sig) doesn't have much for KAP resources, but it is useful to look at to see some of the other spiffy stuff.
By the way, the kite obelisk folks are still at it, planning an even bigger lift, and with period materials. Should be exciting, but I don't have the full scoop, they are keeping it quiet until they pull it off.
Re:What camera would you suggest attaching? :) (Score:4, Informative)
As for control, it's all R/C servos. It can be done with as little as one servo to pull the trigger but most people like to be able to at least pan some, so that's another servo. There are also some triggers out there that are just timer based... you set the timer, and hope you can get the rig up to altitude and pointing at the target by the time the trigger goes off... not flexible, but cheap and effective.
Re:cheap form of air reconassance? (Score:3, Informative)
It's too bad... (Score:1, Informative)
Day after day, week after week, I tell them that the word "ITS" is the possesive form of "IT," and the word "IT'S" means "IT IS."
Despite my best efforts, the editors come up with phrases like:
art far beyond it's quick-and-dirty origins
What can we--Slashdot readers who wince when we see our mother tounge mangled--do to make them stop?
Re:Quick and dirty! (Score:4, Informative)
while I've never done KAP, I have flown kites before (ie, big kites) and you need quite a big kite to hoist a decent camera. the reason disposables are so often used is because a) they're cheap and b) they're light.
the kind of camera's that have zoom lenses are heavy beggars, and how do you control the zoom? wires? remote control? thats all more weight. now a big power/traction ktie can carry alot but it's hardly secure.
with a light camera you can tie it down so that as long as you keep the kite steady then it should be good. with a heavier parcel then the weight will be harder to tie down as although a bi kite can undoubtedly take the weight, it's all concentrated in one spot which is bad news for a parawing style kite.
you can of course use something like a big delta too, but they are harder to carry around.
I'm no expert a KAP though, I have to admit, I did some reading on it a few years ago but never tried it. some of the KAP images I've seen in the last have been pretty stunning though.
dave
PS. current kites: pbsk warrior and VP (favourite 2 line kites ever flown), spirit of air omega xs, elliot ekko 2.8, revolution EXP (would love a speed series one day, esp if resailed by peter betancourt), a nice Rok and a few others
Re:Priceless.... (Score:2, Informative)
Not if you get a good quality proper kite, maybe if you buy from Toys 'R' Us. A Revolution 1.5 or FlexiFoil 10 is around 200UKP/300USD - course these arn't great for KAP, but its what I fly currently and serves to show that kiting is not as cheap as you might expect (cos you go and get kites for different conditions and challanges) but it is serious fun
New Digital Camera
And thats why people use simple 35mm autowinders, or cheapo all in one CMOS digitals to start with.
Crashing it into the ground on your first try
And thats why you practise until you become and expereinced kite pilot before you take up KAP to extend the enjoyment of your hobby.
Seriously you'll find the kite is probably the most expensive part of the rig.
Older than a Hundred Years (Score:3, Informative)
Either this story has been in the queue for way too long, or you need to verify your sources.
Kite Aerial Photograhy began at least as early as the late 1880's [berkeley.edu] with the work of Arthur Batut in Labruguiere, France - including this 1889 image of the city [berkeley.edu]. He went so far as to use an altimeter to automatically adjust the focal length of the camera
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KAP seems like a great application for one of those X10 wireless cameras. Outdoors they have a range of maybe 200 feet and that could probably be enhanced with a directional antenna.
Re:We don't need no stinkin' kite! (Score:3, Informative)
Wind doesn't matter too much, the balloon isn't tethered, and has gps and radio telemetry on it for recovery. EVERY package except for #1 has been recovered, and that one was more of a platform test/throwaway anyway.
Re:We don't need no stinkin' kite! (Score:2, Informative)
For those not interested in KAP for its artistic merits, KAP is being used in archeology, in the earth sciences as a supplement to satellite images to resolve finer details, to help study plant and animal habitats, and as a tool for crime scene investigators.
KAP is definitely a nerdy endevour. For the most part all equipment is made by hand and involves a modest level of mechanical and electronic skills
David Hunt
Editor, KAPER [kiteaerial...graphy.net]