Motion-Media Photography from the Air

The value of maritime surveillance photography can be enhanced if you use correct photographic composition, appropriate field of view, and proper rigging patterns (fig. 4-28). The best photographic composition of a ship cannot always be obtained by shooting horizontal views. In maritime surveillance photography, it is important for you to ensure the target is recorded as large as possible on film. Four basic rigging patterns for maritime surveillance photography arc in use today. They are the Special Interest Rig, the Quick Rig, the Normal Standard Rig, and the Full Rig. Proper rigging of the target provides maximum intelligence data from the photographs. To better understand the purpose of each rig, you must know what each view (or point) of the rig is designed to achieve. The BOW QUARTER view is useful in determining forward deck cargo-handling equipment, electronic arrays, and vessel identification. The BEAM view provides the length of the target plus the stack and antenna height. The STERN QUARTER and the STERN views are used to determine cargo and electronic arrays on the aft section of the vessel. The VERTICAL view is valuable in locating electronic arrays, in determining full-deck cargo, and for measurement purposes. Figure 4-28.—Maritime surveillance photography rigging patterns. The SPECIAL INTEREST RIG is required when a particular vessel is photographed for the first time, or there are specific areas of interest on a particular vessel. Before this type of mission, a special briefing must be conducted to determine what specific rigs should be flown to satisfy mission requirements. The QUICK RIG is used for routine photographic documentation of a contact (vessel) observed while on patrol. The quick rig consists of the bow quarter, beam, and stem quarter views of a vessel. The NORMAL STANDARD RIG, commonly referred to as the FIVE POINT RIG, consists of the bow quarter, beam, stem quarter, stem, and vertical views of a vessel. This rig is used to provide a more detailed representation of a vessel. The FULL RIG, or NINE POINT RIG, is required when enemy or potential enemy vessels are being photographed. This rig provides complete coverage for all the areas of interest. The best approach for rigging most of the aircraft used in maritime surveillance photography is from the bow of the target. Although the previous discussion concerns obtaining intelligence photography, the very same procedures are useful in shooting pictures of ships and submarines for PA0 release and for display prints. By using these procedures, you can "kill two birds with one stone." You get the display pictures, and it serves as a training mission in maritime surveillance photography for both you and the pilot. MOTION-MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE AIR In most cases, the techniques and exposure recommendations for still aerial photography apply to shooting motion-media photography from the air. However, there are a few differences. As a general rule, frames-per-second (fps) rates that are above normal should be used for motion pictures; that is, unless you have a specific requirement to film at the "real time" rate. Just as in still photography, the image quality of aerial motion media suffers from image motion on the recording. Motion-media scenes taken from aircraft always appear much faster when viewed than when they were being recorded originally. Aerial movies when shown at normal frame rates are disturbing to the viewer. There is no hard-and-fast rule about what frame rate is appropriate for viewing; there are several factors that play a significant role, such as speed and altitude of the aircraft. A general rule of thumb is to use about one and one half or twice the normal frame rate: 32 to 48 frames per second for 16mm and 24 to 36 frames per 4-34