Hang-Gliding Photography

Photographs taken from hang-gliders arguably fall into three categories. They may show the hang-glider pilot, views of the ground over which the craft is flying, or wide-angle views of the landscape which incorporate the pilot and at least part of the hang-glider. The wide-angle shots are perhaps the most interesting because they tell the story of the flight, show the human involvement and experience, and indicate the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Cameras with wide-angle or fish-eye lenses may be attached to the outer end of a hang-glider's wing. These have the potential to provide spectacular panoramic images of the whole experience of hang-gliding. A release mechanism can be fed along the structure of the glider's wing to a control which is safe and convenient for the pilot to use.

Hang-gliders tend to have numerous exposed beams to which camera mounts might be attached, but expert advice should be sought before undertaking such work. The mounts should be light weight but also robust to withstand rough landings. Such mounts also need to be easily attached and detached, and capable of pointing cameras in any direction. It is also generally beneficial to extend the mount some short distance from the structure of the hang-glider. This prevents the camera from coming into contact with the hang-glider beam to which it is attached, and also renders the beam less significant in the images. It is good practice to fit the camera with fresh batteries before flying as they clearly cannot be replaced in flight.