Hi Folks

Just got a booking for an architectural shoot for a pre-vis company thats going to involve using a cherry picker to get the necessary elevation in a couple of shots.

This is the first time for me using a cherry picker (puns aside..) and I'm looking for advice from those of you who've done this sort of thing before.

I'm shooting with a WDS and Digi back if that makes any difference. Are vibrations and sway in the system going to be an issue? Can I work with the engine off or does that kill the hydraulics? Should I assume the need for fast shutter speeds? I'm expecting to shoot to CF card and preview on the back, but is tethering out of the question?

There is a relatively tight time window and sensitive location for the shots so scaffold isn't an option. The client has tried alternative methods (kite-photos, telescopic pole etc) and didn't get what they're after either way so want to try the cherry picker option this time.

Curious what to expect, and want to be prepared for it. We can't afford not to get the shots.

Thanks in advance, folks.

Matt

I have done the cherry picker projects with a cambo wide DS. You want to keep the engine off to avoid vibration and shoot at 500th sec.

I have done this with camera and tripod only in cherry picker tethered to a laptop on the ground and control functions from ground level to cut out all my vibrations being on it. Of course you are limited to cable length.

i did and i do this often, with small and with larrge pickers.
in general its not any problem. if you stay quiet the picker becomes fast quiet too.
even long time exposures are usualy no problem.

How long have you gone on exposures? I have wanted to do dusk shots but never trusted the movement. One project I was on a open forklift 40-50 ft up. I had to harness myself to the lift and rig the tripod and laptop stan to the rig.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Matt

Matt, I've done a number of shots from lifts etc. My advice is to rent the largest you can, bigger is more stable. Also, the type without the articulating arm is more stable too. The 60' Genie telescoping boom I think is the best. In the past, if greater stability is needed, I've run wire cable from the platform to come-alongs attached to vehicles and tightened the cable. This is especially helpful if wind is a factor. As Rainer mentioned just be still and long exposures shouldn't be a problem. Good luck! Jim

30 seconds.

in windy conditions outside ( although in this cases mostly truck based lifting plattforms )
the thing can become difficult.

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165 ft

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66 ft

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25 ft

Thanks Jim, unfortunately I don't have control over sourcing the lift. I think the construction company working on the project are providing it (and its been pre-arranged) so it will be a case of going with whatever turns up and making the best of it.

Cheers
Matt

PS Great work on your site, beautiful stuff.

This is a bit longish, but Craig Tanner of Radiant Vista discusses his experience shooting a golf course with a boom lift here:

http://www.radiantvista.com/light-diary/ep...nes-golf-course

I took the one of the apartment building at about 28m. in a cherry picker.
F6.3 at 2 seconds with H3D
I had to wait for at least a minute or two before i could not feel any swinging
and of course had the motor turned of.
I believe I also stopped breathing for fear of movement!!
Not my most favorate way of photographing.

In Australia I had a side business photographing architecture with a telescopic pole
but of course the hasselblad would not go on top of that.
Every thing was radio controled and I had a spy camera on top that would send down
the general view.

cheers
m*

Jim hit the nail with his answers. I was going to post the same info. I own a construction company and use them alot. If you have no control over which lift you get bring some long ropes or whatever you can get to tether the basket too. If you ever get the chance to rent one for a job get one twice the length you are going to be at, a huge difference in movement. Try to stay at about 70 degrees from the ground to keep sway down. Good luck Steve

Rainer, That high one looks very scary!! I know you get used to it but a gust of wind could ruin your day. Attached is one of my crazier locations, don't know if I'd do it again! JimClick to view attachment

Those wheels are AWFULLY close to the slope! Don't think I would have done it...

Mike.

Rainer, you live at the outer limits of your tools.......30 seconds at any of those heights would be very challenging, At a 165 feet, thats just gutsy!

This view is way closer to gravity....shot at dawn, may be a minute or two of nice light,
Shot on a WDS + e75/Brumbaer, 24xl, f5.6 1/2 @2 seconds and about 3-4mm of rise

Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachment

I can confirm that it needs something to go up with him in this 2 sqm "cage" at 165 feet. Even breathing makes you feel that all will just collapse. When then the lever to keep this all horizontal leaks oil and the cage slowly and automatically tilts down by a few degrees every 5 minutes and you have to compensate by pushing the lever, one just prays that the push is in the right direction!
It was scary! But after the second "climb" one can eventually enjoy it and get unbelievable view points.

Thierry

In this circumstance, I once got stuck with a cherry picker that would not lock out and would gently sink several inches during the exposure. Focus was critical as then I had to use a large aperture and fast shutter speed. It could not be resheduled and this was in the film days with a 4x5 (HABS project). I had to prefocus, raise the cherry picker above the proper focusing distance and shoot it when it sank to the right height. Did it a few times for insurance but it worked out fine.

There is a natural bounce and play on the end of the boom, which largely settles out, but can also be minimized by additional tensioning on the boom, as Steve suggests with ropes. I'd use two come-alongs, if possible, to pull the boom towards the body or other fixed objects if you need long exposures (imagine a V shaped tensioning rig). It is a lot more time consuming, but you can actually set your lengths and then go up and down without adjusting them as long as someone below pulls the guy ropes or cables away as the boom lowers. When you go up again, max the boom out against the guys and you will be more stable and in the same position as you set it initially. If the hydraulics are tired, though, you will have to reset the boom from time to time.
Overall, it is a little like getting used to being on a sailboat in one of these baskets and you need to get your comfort level up as you get used to the jerky movement on the end of the boom. I don't mind it after a couple of minutes, but it isn't for everybody.
-Ron H.