Cheapest, simplest kite aerial photography rig

[John Wells]

Two tent pegs taped together with a £28, 808#16D key chain camera on the left (best flown with a safety line between the camera and the kite line).




Simple loop-through safety line.



Attachment point formed by two 'large' velcro pads with two small ones in between (video still taken with the 808#16D fastened to the kite line)

Kite video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADOjyOg2f...e=youtu.be

Pole video clip for comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhFngjTew...e=youtu.be

Water rocket vertical video clip for comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bktfT6e...e=youtu.be using the same camera, in the same field.

Click on the YouTube cogwheel icon to select HD



A still from the above kite video.
I am the dot casting the shadow in the lower right of the image.
The kite was flown by West Lothian Archaeology Group member Heidi Walker.

The low sun reveals how even a cheap camera, like the 808#16D, can pick up details in the snow.

A wire coat hanger will be tried next with a weighted longer vertical arm to improve stability.

Aerial photographic techniques suitable for children (with details of software for easily removing lens distortion)
West Lothian Archaeological Trust

[P Prentice]

you should get medals for this John

[BAJR]

Absolutely! Most impressive.

Going to have to get you to come along to one of the school classes I am invovled with to show the little bleed/// model citizens what can be done with good old fashioned thought!
#

[John Wells]

Thanks folks ;o)

David, hows about I give you a camera, kite, line and a wire rig......together with a demo, to get you going! ...but don't tell anyone else ;o)
E-mail me to set up a meet or come along to the HS Cairnpapple weekend in April.

[John Wells]

[SIZE=2]A kite aerial photography thread relating to children and archaeology:
http://arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/discuss...kap#Item_1

NB the comment ' I think that it is important to demonstrate KAP but I would be cautious about giving the impression that anyone can do it'

This is just the sort of attitude that the West Lothian Archaeological Trust is trying to change!

I realise that I sound a bit evangelical, but archaeologists and others will eventually realise that it is easy to fly a good kite and hang a camera on the line........that day will come............... Glory hallelujah ;o)[/SIZE]

[John Wells]

Coat hanger wire video cam:






Video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92XZHEX8r...e=youtu.be

Click on the YouTube cogwheel icon to select HD



Any further modifications will be posted on: http://www.armadale.org.uk/aerialtechniq...ildren.htm

[Unitof1]

does it look like this when its not windy?

[John Wells]

No wind.....no problem....even easier!

The camera is so small, you can use one or more party balloons depending on size:
You do not even need to use the tent pegs, just velcro the camera below the balloon!

http://www.armadale.org.uk/balloonphotography.htm

But wind-free days are few and far between where I live.

With little or no wind you can still use a kite, but you do have to run or walk briskly, as here with a near infra-red camera (converted Fuji F30):


http://www.armadale.org.uk/kinneil.htm

Or, if you have a bottle, fire that into the air ;o)
http://www.armadale.org.uk/ballisticphotography.htm#the



.....but it is not ideal for built-up areas and it is a bit hit and miss!

It's kids stuff:

http://www.armadale.org.uk/cairnpapple.htm

It is the interpretation of the aerial images, in relation to what can be seen walking the ground, where the true skill is required.

But why kites:

Low initial cost
No running cost
Low skill requirements
High resolution
Ready to use when needed
Single person operation (but two better!)
Zero environmental impact (no fuel / noise)
Upgradeable to remote control and video preview if necessary
Relatively safe
Long flight times
Less restrictive regulations than with UAVs eg quadrocopters
Ability to lift a heavy load ;o)


http://www.skylincs.co.uk/