The haze in this picture is minimized by flying at a lower altitude.
When atmospheric haze increases to the extent that it may affect your images, but you are unable to postpone your aerial photography, there are some things you can do to minimize its effects.
SHOOT WITH THE SUN BEHIND YOU.
Back-lighting and, to an extent, side-lighting of a hazy scene will increase the negative effect of the haze, making it much more visible in your image since the sun is actually highlighting the atmospheric particles. You can reduce this effect by shooting with the sun at your back or over one of your shoulders.
AVOID PHOTOGRAPHY AT MID-DAY.
Often the atmosphere at mid-day is haziest, so shoot in early morning when cooler air keeps the haze down or late afternoon when rising temperatures can result in air movement that tends to clear haze away.
There can be days when the haze is so dense, there is nothing you can do to get a quality aerial picture.
USE A STEEPER SHOOTING ANGLE
Avoid shooting at a flat angle that includes a great deal of the ground, distant objects and even the horizon since it maximizes the amount of haze in the atmosphere. Instead, aim your camera from a higher angle – i.e. more directly above your subject. You will be shooting through less haze and will therefore minimize its effects. Remain aware, however, of good composition since shooting most aerial subjects from directly above them often produces flat and uninteresting images. Select an angle that not only minimizes haze, but that still reveals the three-dimensionality of your subject.
GET CLOSER
The closer you are to your subject, the less amount of haze you will be shooting through. So, lower your altitude to bring your camera nearer to your subject. Use a wider-angle lens and fill the frame, ensuring that unnecessary surroundings are excluded.
The ground directly below is less affected by haze than the ground near the horizon. You are looking through less of it. That is why a steeper angle or getting closer to the ground will help to eliminate haze in your aerial pictures.
TRY A HAZE FILTER
A haze filter (available in three grades - H1A, H2A & H3A) adds yellow to counteract excessive blue and absorbs UV light, resulting in sharper pictures in hazy conditions. It is most effective at high altitude, 5,000 feet above sea level and higher. Begin with a 2A grade, or better yet, use a polarizer for more effective haze reduction.
TRY A UV FILTER
An ultra-violet filter absorbs ultra-violet wavelengths that are invisible to the human eye but film can “see.” UV light causes film to have a blue or violet cast, making images look somewhat cold. UV filters are particularly effective at higher altitudes where there is less atmosphere and ultra-violet radiation can reduce a scene’s contrast. The jury is out as to whether a UV filter really contributes to haze reduction. Some authorities claim it does; others say it is of no benefit. It does, however, screen out UV light with no effect on exposure, and can be used with both black and white or color film or your digital camera. Many quality lenses may already have a UV coating, making the use of the filter redundant.
USE A SKYLIGHT FILTER
A skylight filter - a UV filter with a pale rose tinge to it - removes excessive blue (which often results from haze) and ultra-violet light, increasing contrast, and can be used with black and white, color film and digital cameras, creating a slightly warmer appearance in color images.
A polarizing filter can help to minimize haze. (Note: "C-POL" identifies this filter as a circular polarizing filter. It's ultra-slim and fits into a 72 mm screw.)
USE A POLARIZING FILTER
Depending on the sun's location, a polarizing filter can reduce unwanted glare and reflections, and reduces distance haze. It is probably more effective in cutting haze than a haze filter. Haze is caused by reflection off atmospheric particles and water vapor, and the polarizer ia a great reflection eliminator.
USE A COLORED FILTER FOR BLACK & WHITE AERIALS
A yellow filter when used with black and white film will reduce the amount of ultra-violet light reaching the film. A yellow-green filter is particularly helpful when shooting scenes with a great deal of foliage in them. Red, orange and deep yellow filters contribute greatly to haze reduction. These filters cannot be used with color film or with your digital camera set to photograph in color, since they create an overall color cast that is the same as the color of the filter.
USE A LENS HOOD
Every little bit helps. A lens hood will provide protection from stray light and reduce the risk of flare, particularly if you must shoot in the general direction of the sun. If you are using filtration, the filters have extra surfaces from which the light can be reflected, and a lens hood helps to minimize this effect.
KEEP THE LENS CLEAN
You should always visually inspect the front of your lens, no matter what kind of photography you are doing, and clean it if there are any signs of dust or a filmy appearance. Although you may not notice it when you look through the viewfinder, small amounts of dust or an oily film on your lens can contribute to the effects of haze and worsen flare.
USE YOUR BEST-QUALITY LENS
Good quality multi-coated lenses contribute significantly to the reduction of obtrusive light, which can be present in hazy conditions. The coatings of many high-quality lenses reduce UV light.
|
