Kite Aerial Photography: Introduction

Photo of me holding onto the camera

Testing to make sure the shutter is being triggered by the radio control before letting go. You can see the camera hanging from the kite line in the shadow.

Recent Photos

Thumbnail: Westward Bound Thumbnail: Kelso Depot Oasis Thumbnail: Celestial Observer Thumbnail: Toy Trucks Thumbnail: Stockpile Thumbnail: Sulfur Spine Thumbnail: Sulfur Cone Thumbnail: Amoeba Earth Thumbnail: Phoenix Nest Thumbnail: Pilgrimage Thumbnail: Launch Pad Thumbnail: Return to Camelot Thumbnail: Sovereign Thumbnail: Burning Man 2009 Thumbnail: Sun King Thumbnail: Membrane

View all kite aerial photos »

Background

I’ve been interested in photography for as long as I can remember, and kite aerial photography (KAP) seemed like a natural progression. At least it did after a friend convinced me that it isn’t completely ridiculous to suspend an $800+ camera from a kite. After seeing the potential in online galleries, I knew that I had to try it! I spent a few months researching equipment, technique, etc. before diving in.

Although I had not flown a kite since I was a kid, I quickly progressed from a single test flight to attaching my camera and hoping for the best. Over the past several years, I’ve learned a lot about controlling kites in various wind conditions and now I’m relatively at ease with my expensive gear hanging by a thread.

These web pages will serve as a photo gallery of select images, as well as a general information source on equipment, technique, and other related info. Be sure to see my 360° virtual reality (VR) panoramas taken from a kite’s eye view.

What’s New?

  • Asian Photography Magazine May 1, 2010

    I was featured in the “Pro Profile” section of Asian Photography’s March 2010 issue, discussing my kite aerial photography, nighttime photography, and urban exploration.

  • Parkfield Shake Table November 4, 2008

    My friend D.V. Rogers installed an earthquake shake table in Parkfield, CA, the “earthquake capital of California.” The art piece is an earthwork that shakes in near real-time in response to California earthquakes. USGS recently sent me down to document the artwork using kite aerial and nighttime photography.

What’s New Archive »