Advanced Photography Course

or 70mm for 16 x 20 inch or larger prints. There are

many experienced aerial photographers, and because of
varying experiences, they may have very different
opinions. Most favor a medium-format camera when
prints are required. Medium-format cameras are easy
to handle in confined spaces--the back seat of a jet
aircraft, for instance. They are relatively small and
convenient to use. With careful processing and
printing, almost any size of print can be made from the
negatives produced by a medium-format camera.

Excellent results may be obtained by using a 35mm

camera; assuming, of course, you handle the film
carefully during processing and printing. Because of
the variety of interchangeable lenses, small size, ease of
handling, and large number of exposures, the 35mm

camera is preferred by many Navy Photographer's
Mates.

FILM SELECTION

Aerial film is designed for high-altitude

photography and does not yield better results than
conventional films at low altitudes. Remember that
most hand-held aerial photography is performed at low
altitudes. There are several factors that you must

consider before selecting a particular type of film. The

first, of course, is the end use (purpose) of the pictures.
Do you need black and white or color; prints or slides?
Other important factors are as follows:

Weather and haze conditions

Lighting conditions

Special purpose film (color, camouflage
detection, and infrared (CDIR)

Special filtration

Processing requirements or capabilities

Black-and-White Panchromatic Film

For an aerial assignment requiring black-and-white

prints only, you should first consider a black-and-white
film, such as Kodak Technical Pan (Tech. Pan.). This
and other similar types of film are fast enough for most
aerial work when the weather is good and the subject is
well-lighted. The extended red sensitivity of Tech. Pan.
also helps to penetrate haze. This film is readily
available and convenient to process. Tech. Pan. has

excellent resolution and the extreme fine grain required
to make high-quality enlargements.

Special types of film designed for reconnaissance

are also available. These films are normally available
only in rolls, and they range from 70mm to 12 inches
wide. These films are characterized by their sensitivity,
base type and thickness, speed, resolution, and
granularity. These films also have an extended red
sensitivity to aid in greater haze penetration.

Although black-and-white prints can be made from

color negatives, it is better to use black-and-white film.
Black-and-white film is superior to color emulsions in
their ability to record image detail. Haze and contrast
control are easier to achieve with black-and-white film
than with color film (fig. 4-14).

Black-and-White Infrared (IR) Film

In aerial photography, black-and-white infrared

(IR) film offers several advantages over panchromatic
film. Primarily it provides higher contrast and the

unique ability to record detail through haze. Thus
black-and-white IR film should be considered when
aerial views must be taken under such conditions. This
type of film can record more detail through haze than
can be seen with the human eye. The sensitivity of IR
film extends to approximately 900nm with maximum
IR sensitivity from approximately 760nm to 880nm. It
is particularly useful when extreme distances must be
covered, such as high-altitude photography, or when a
high angle of view is required for high obliques. Before
selecting a black-and-white IR film, you should check
with the person for whom you are doing the work
Prints made from black-and-white IR negatives appear

quite contrasty because blue sky and water are
reproduced almost black (fig. 4-15). Growing crops
and deciduous trees appear white in photographs and
most evergreens record darker. If such prints meet the
requirements of the requester and IR film is the best
choice, by all means use it. However, keep in mind that
when black-and-white IR film is used, you must filter

out blue and ultraviolet radiation with a red filter, such

as a Kodak Wratten No. 25 or equivalent, for best
results.

Color Negative Film

Color negative film, such as Kodak Vericolor III

Type S, may be used to provide color and
black-and-white prints. However, when available, film,

such as Kodak Vericolor HC, is a better choice. Kodak
Vericolor HC provides better results because of the

4-14

contents

Advanced Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> or 70mm for 16 x 20 inch or larger prints. There are many experienced aerial photographers, and because of varying experiences, they may have very different opinions. Most favor a medium-format camera when prints are required. Medium-format cameras are easy to handle in confined spaces--the back seat of a jet aircraft, for instance. They are relatively small and convenient to use. With careful processing and printing, almost any size of print can be made from the negatives produced by a medium-format camera. Excellent results may be obtained by using a 35mm camera; assuming, of course, you handle the film carefully during processing and printing. Because of the variety of interchangeable lenses, small size, ease of handling, and large number of exposures, the 35mm camera is preferred by many Navy Photographer's Mates. FILM SELECTION Aerial film is designed for high-altitude photography and does not yield better results than conventional films at low altitudes. Remember that most hand-held aerial photography is performed at low altitudes. There are several factors that you must consider before selecting a particular type of film. The first, of course, is the end use (purpose) of the pictures. Do you need black and white or color; prints or slides? Other important factors are as follows: Weather and haze conditions Lighting conditions Special purpose film (color, camouflage detection, and infrared (CDIR) Special filtration Processing requirements or capabilities Black-and-White Panchromatic Film For an aerial assignment requiring black-and-white prints only, you should first consider a black-and-white film, such as Kodak Technical Pan (Tech. Pan.). This and other similar types of film are fast enough for most aerial work when the weather is good and the subject is well-lighted. The extended red sensitivity of Tech. Pan. also helps to penetrate haze. This film is readily available and convenient to process. Tech. Pan. has excellent resolution and the extreme fine grain required to make high-quality enlargements. Special types of film designed for reconnaissance are also available. These films are normally available only in rolls, and they range from 70mm to 12 inches wide. These films are characterized by their sensitivity, base type and thickness, speed, resolution, and granularity. These films also have an extended red sensitivity to aid in greater haze penetration. Although black-and-white prints can be made from color negatives, it is better to use black-and-white film. Black-and-white film is superior to color emulsions in their ability to record image detail. Haze and contrast control are easier to achieve with black-and-white film than with color film (fig. 4-14). Black-and-White Infrared (IR) Film In aerial photography, black-and-white infrared (IR) film offers several advantages over panchromatic film. Primarily it provides higher contrast and the unique ability to record detail through haze. Thus black-and-white IR film should be considered when aerial views must be taken under such conditions. This type of film can record more detail through haze than can be seen with the human eye. The sensitivity of IR film extends to approximately 900nm with maximum IR sensitivity from approximately 760nm to 880nm. It is particularly useful when extreme distances must be covered, such as high-altitude photography, or when a high angle of view is required for high obliques. Before selecting a black-and-white IR film, you should check with the person for whom you are doing the work Prints made from black-and-white IR negatives appear quite contrasty because blue sky and water are reproduced almost black (fig. 4-15). Growing crops and deciduous trees appear white in photographs and most evergreens record darker. If such prints meet the requirements of the requester and IR film is the best choice, by all means use it. However, keep in mind that when black-and-white IR film is used, you must filter out blue and ultraviolet radiation with a red filter, such as a Kodak Wratten No. 25 or equivalent, for best results. Color Negative Film Color negative film, such as Kodak Vericolor III Type S, may be used to provide color and black-and-white prints. However, when available, film, such as Kodak Vericolor HC, is a better choice. Kodak Vericolor HC provides better results because of the 4-14 contents Advanced Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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