Novice needs advice on Photography, ideal camera settings etc

[Emil Jabo]

Hi guys,

I am very new to photography and photogrammetry. I've been reading up on the capabilities of the process for a while now and am just about set to start going out on my first shoot to practice. I have a Sony Rx10 MkIV camera and will be hoping to photograph an old helicopter which is outside. I'll aim to go on the shoot on a cloudy day. The subject matter is quite close to my home and I will be able to get all round access to the helicopter. So I figured it would be a good subject to use to practice so I can revisit frequently to hone and adjust my photography for photogrammetry. Kind of trial and error learning. I'll have a monopod with a small tripod on the bottom so I can get stable high downward shots of the top of the helicopter.

Can anyone offer any advice for the best in camera settings on the RX10 MkIV for such a photogrammetry shoot? It's got a massive zoom lens and apparently very good autofocus features, but from what I understand I would want to limit such zooming? I want to get some basics before I head off so that the first visit will not be a completely fresh start.

Are there any basic rules or best practices that I need to adhere to especially concerning the features of the Rx10 MkIV?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[wizprod]

Usually a helicopter has lots of shiny, non-textured surfaces. That is something photogrammetry really dislikes.
I would suggest to find another subject. Something like an old, oxidized copper statue. Then the struggle is much less.

In regards to exposure parameters, keep your iso low, shutter high enough to prevent motion blur, disable any image stabilization, lock your focus (which also means keeping a somewhat equal distance to maintain sharpness)

[Emil Jabo]

Thanks Wizprod.

I will keep that in mind. The Helicopter will be problematic, but since this type of photogrammetry will be what I will be primarily involved with I figured I may as well just jump in at the deep end and hone the specific skills for such shoots from the get go.

This is the helicopter, yes much glazing, but the surface seems kinda ok on a cloudy day. It's just that this is the only one reasonably close to me to practice on. So it saves wasting long journeys trying to learn the process. I can get excellent access to the subject too.

https://pbase.com/luckytrev/image/6583133