The Aerial Photography with the Imagelogers

On November 3, 2010, four Imagelogers boarded a helicopter in Seoul, Korea. Why? To test the features of Samsung’s mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, NX Series. So they’ll be able to test the features of the NX series from Samsung’s mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cold weather was a big challenge, but the fun memory will last forever. Shall we take a look at the scenery of Seoul in the fall through the lens (literally) of Samsung NX?

After landing at the airport, our guide led us through the security check and to the helicopter landing zone; just like when you board an airplane!

A van was waiting for us on the runway where it will take us to the helicopter.

It was my first time riding down the runway! I felt like I was VIP. After driving for about five minutes, we arrived on the helicopter landing zone.

Before the shooting, we gathered at the office to check the route and to receive training.

After receiving training on check watch-outs for aerial photography, we moved to the hanger to put the safety belts on.

For aerial photography, the helicopter doors are hung open so fastening the safety belt tightly is very important! ^^

So, this is us, the four Imagelogers. The person on the right is very tall so he struggled with putting on the belt.

The helicopter we will be riding is the latest EC155B1. Cool, huh?The helicopter was made by Eurocopter and can accommodate up to 12 people. This is a picture of all of us together before boarding!

We also read the safety features manual. After we read the safety features manual, we are ready to take off!

For safety reasons, two pilots fly together. There are so many buttons and instrument panels! I wonder what they are used for. We take off with a deafening sound from the engine.

Everyone is excited!

After takeoff, the doors are opened for photo shooting – and with it, the suffocating wind and roaring engine sound!

The rope you see in the photo is literally our lifeline. Looking down is terribly frightening, but it doesn’t stop the Imageloger from clicking away on his camera.

What you see here in the middle of the picture is the Incheon Bridge. It connects the Incheon International Airport, the gateway into Korea, with the inland.

A bird’s-eye view of the Yeongheung Bridge.

Not long after, the view of Seohae Bridge comes into sight.

The two pilots steering the helicopter constantly check both sides to make sure our path is clear. They can be heard shouting: “Left clear! OK! Right clear! OK!” in turns. Wow! You are awesome!

Catching the right angle from an aerial view was quite challenging since the helicopter moved very fast.

Due to a slight delay in schedule, we closed the door and revved up our speed to reach Seoul. About 10 minutes later, we arrived near Seoul.

This is the Jamsil Olympic Stadium where it hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Seoul sure is a crowded city! Look at these tightly packed houses!

A view of a theme park and a race track.

After successfully shooting for some two or so hours, we finally landed. The aerial photography with the Imagelogers of Samsung Electronics was indeed a memorable experience full of clear skies, fascinating landscape and excellent camera function!

Experience London nightscapes from the sky with Jason Hawkes and the Samsung EX1(TL500)

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, has partnered with leading aerial photographer Jason Hawkes to capture the artistic brilliance of London and its famous landmarks from above after dark, using Samsung EX1(TL500).

Hawkes, an award-winning photographer who has explored the world taking aerial shots from a helicopter, has shot a number of dramatic city night scenes over the last twenty years and partnered with Samsung to test the EX1(TL500)’s performance in these extreme conditions. The project, called ‘Samsung Nightscapes’, sees images of familiar, well-loved locations around the British capital, taken from a helicopter, being brought to life. The results of the project – Hawkes’ images and opinions on the EX1(TL500) – can be viewed here.

The launch of the Samsung Nightscapes collection coincides with the opening of consumer sales of the EX1(TL500), which is now available to buy in stores across the world. The 10 mega-pixel EX1(TL500), as a high-end compact digital camera designed specifically for today’s advanced and enthusiast photographers, is the new flagship model of the company’s extensive compact digital camera range.

Hawkes commented: “I’ve always loved taking aerial shots of urban landscapes – the perspective and layout that of a city that you see from the air is a totally different story from that on the ground, and shooting at night means that you can get the most dramatic images.”

He continued: “The EX1(TL500) is a very impressive and intuitive compact camera, with a great build. It has a remarkable set of features, such as the bright f/1.8 Schneider lens, which would be valuable for any photography enthusiast, and I was pleased to be able to test the extent of its capabilities during the low-light conditions on the shoot. The swivelling AMOLED screen on the back of the camera is a great feature, and proved useful in the helicopter during the shoot. And finally, the ability to work with RAW files was also a real bonus for a camera within this category – until now this has often remained within the domain of the pro models.”

Mr. Sang Jin Park, President of the Digital Imaging Business at Samsung Electronics, added: “We are thrilled to make the EX1(TL500) available to consumers and to celebrate this landmark product for the industry. This camera offers easy-to-use yet unparalleled features, such as its ultra-wide angle and notable speed. These, combined with the advanced nature of the lens, make it easy to take brilliant and better pictures with the EX1(TL500).”

For blur‑free images, the EX1(TL500)’s lens is also paired with Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology. Plus, the EX1(TL500)’s three-inch, swivelling AMOLED screen and rotating AMOLED display will allow photographers to precisely frame their images the way they want and shoot from just about any angle, including overhead or low-to-the-ground shots – both perfect for when travelling by helicopter!

Our story has not yet finished. See more fabulous shots from that night, here.