To photograph public buildings illuminated at night is possible.

The wind

Usually, the wind is falling in the evening, except near seashore, and except when an important depression and close isobar lines are evidence of unflagging wind. Badly, in this case, the wind is more often riotous, force 4 or 5, with many gales and jerks.

Kite

It is therefore necessary to dispose of performing and steady kites. Have them in light colours, which will make them easier to see in the city sky.

 

Equipment

The rig mut be well steady. This is why I'm using the thwarping pendulum, with stabilizing bow, and Haugrund 's dead-beat device.

The camera has a high aperture lens (small f-number). The film is the most sensitive possible: 1600 ISO. A few years ago, Konika was making a 3200 ISO film: it was right! The shutter speed should be 1/60. As a matter of fact, the light of illuminated buildings is 3 to 4 EV, which gives 1/60 speed with 1600 ISO with f-2 aperture. This speed should be possible to set .Otherwise, the camera will remain on time-exposure, and all pictures will be blurred.

I have at my disposal the Konica Hexar which lens opens to f.2 with setting choice, and in auto mode, it is possible to set a minimum speed, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60. There is also a manual mode to impose the speed. Moreover, this lens has an excellent sharpness quality.

Technique

It is advisable to launch the kite in advance, before the wind  near ground is ablating. I have many times observed almost no wind at ground, whilst at 150m there was force 3 to 4. It needs a kite which can resist to it, heavier than a very light one, but probably impossible to take off and to make it lift.

Be equipped with a torch, because places free for kiting are usually poor in street lamps. This torch should be hanged to the neck, or set on the head, and let the hands free.

My craddle is fit with a red LED which lights when the radiocommand receiver is on. It is well seen at 200m.

The video viewing is not a problem, the image is even excellent, because the cameras are enough sensitive. Thus, it is very easy to make good framing. Besides, the use of a camcorder is not more difficult.

 

Result

Flying at night is always more exciting, and take pictures in these conditions is a very strong feeling. Moreover, it is rare, because to meet all necessary conditions is not so frequent.

 

The Bayeux Cathedral, Calvados, Normandie