Skymaster uses a 56’ pneumatic mast with an 8MP digital camera, mounted on a tilt-and-swivel head similar to those used for CCTV cameras, connected to a laptop below so that I may see the pictures as I am taking them.
The mast is mounted on a fully portable tripod weighted down; alternatively it may be deployed from the back of my vehicle. The tripod is clearly the better option if the image is to be taken from a garden, or from the bottom of steps etc; this said, the kit is extremely heavy and therefore involves a degree of manual work before the photography can start. Carrying the equipment and weights helps keep me fit though, so there is always a plus side to everything.
Generally, setting up takes between twenty minutes and an hour or more – depending on a number of factors; and dismantling usually happens a little faster. I’m often around for three hours for a shoot, in order to take advantage of changing lighting conditions.
