Capturing Sunset and the Night Sky from a Helicopter : A Guide to Sharp Aerial Photography at Sunset and Beyond

Timing of a Sunset and the right Subject can be very exciting: like here ..catching a Starburst of the setting sun kissing the Hardrock Guitar Hotel in Miami Florida , Foto:Susanne Kremer

As the sun dips below the horizon and darkness begins to envelop the landscape, the realm of aerial photography takes on a whole new dimension and level of challenges.

Sunset and nighttime aerial photography present unique challenges, but with the right tips and tricks, you can capture stunningly sharp images from the air.

Read on about my flight through the dusk and into the night as I share my experiences and insights into mastering sharp Images into the Night.

Timing is Key: Sunset Magic Timing is everything in aerial photography, especially when shooting at sunset. The golden hour, that magical time shortly before sunset, bathes the world in warm, soft light, casting long shadows and painting the sky with a palette of vibrant colors. Plan your flight to coincide with this period to capture the most breathtaking scenes.

Sunset that day was at 7:36 PM, we started from the Heliport at 7 PM and arrived at our aerial destination: The Seminole Hardrock Hotel in Miami Florida at 7:15 PM. The Light was already golden and very pretty. I was very motivated to catch the Sun kissing the top of the Guitar..which I think worked out pretty well…I was lucky….we had no clouds and a clear sky which was perfect to get the star at f/11 (Foto above)

Author before Take Off, trying to envision the Composition before Flight, in a R44 Helicopter Foto: Juanita Hadbafnick

1: Start in Autofocus

and later…If you can…Use Manual Focus, Autofocus can struggle in low light conditions, so switch to manual focus (in most cases set to infinity) to ensure sharpness in your images. Take your time to adjust the focus carefully, paying attention to distant landmarks or lights on the ground for reference. Otherwise stay in Autofocus if you still have enough Contrast.

Tip 2: Optimize Your Settings

Adjust your camera settings to suit the diminishing light. Increase your ISO (I used between ISO 400- ISO 1600) to maintain a fast enough shutter speed to prevent motion blur, while keeping an eye on noise levels. Experiment with different aperture settings in different light situations. I started with F/11 and used F 2.8 for the night time images mostly.

Tip 3: Stabilize Your Gear

Sharp images are impossible without stability, especially when shooting from a moving aircraft. Most newer Cameras use IBIS which is the internal camera Gyro type of stabilization and with my Camera (Sony 7R5) and Nikon Z9 I was able to shoot sharp images even at a shutter of 1/100 sec.

The Seminole Hardrock Guitar Hotel, Miami , taken by the Author from a Helicopter after Sunset, Blue Hour Settings: Sony 7R5 Sony 16–35mm G2 @24mm ISO 1600, f/5, 1/50 sec.

Author BTS : Open Doors Flying as low as 300 Feet, interestingly better quality and flexibility then with a Drone, you’re in Trouble here with a drone…for many reasons…

Navigating the Night Sky As the sun sets and darkness falls, the challenge of nighttime aerial photography begins.

But with the right techniques, you can capture the beauty of the nocturnal world with stunning clarity.

Tip 4: Embrace different Exposure settings

In the absence of natural light, longer exposures become necessary (in a Helicopter don’t go below 1/100 sec.) to capture details in the darkness, as well as Higher ISO settings. The Goal is to get that sharp as possible shot! Noise can be taken care of later in Photoshop…no worries…

Tip 5: Harness the Power of Light

While the landscape may be shrouded in darkness, sources of artificial light can provide striking focal points for your images. City lights, highways, and illuminated landmarks can all add depth and interest to your nighttime aerial shots.

Tip 6: Shoot in RAW

RAW files contain much more data than JPEGs, allowing for greater flexibility in post-processing. Shooting in RAW format gives you more control over adjusting exposure, white balance, and sharpness, ensuring the highest possible image quality.

The Seminole Hardrock Guitar Hotel Miami, lit at Night, shot by the Author from a helicopter, Sony 7R5, ISO1600, f/5, 1/50 (i was too slow and didn’t notice)

the craftiness of aerial photography at sunset and night requires patience, practice, and a willingness to experiment.

By following these tips and techniques, you can improve your images from mere snapshots to breathtaking works of art. So pack your gear, climb aboard, and prepare to capture the beauty of the twilight hours from a perspective like no other.

Hi ! I am Susanne Kremer, Freelance Aerial, Landscape and Travel Photographer.

You can follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skremerphoto/

or check out my website: http://www.susannekremer.com

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