Greetings!
I am quite the beginner with digital photography. Except for mobile telephone photos, I had only used point-and-shoots with film until late last year, and started using a DSLR in July 2010, a second-hand Canon Digital Rebel XTi that my wife had purchased, along with a modest accumulation of lenses, from a co-worker.
In early August, I started taking photographs ("recording digital files") for official purposes on a regular basis. I can sign out a very modest Sony point-and-shoot from the office, or use my own camera. The little Sony point-and-shoot is not really up to the task of official photos that may be used as evidence in court. I decided to acquire a second pre-owned XTi body as a back-up, and then upgraded a bit with a pre-owned 40D body.
Last week, I was suddenly assigned to take photos from a helicopter, at night, of subjects on the ground. The first night, it was short notice, so I used my pre-Mark II 50mm 1.8 lens. Well, to say the results were mediocre would be a kindness, though when I panned just so, the occasional image would be fairly clear, thanks to the wide aperture gathering light very well. For the second night, I scrambled for local advice, posted a plea for help on a broad-based forum's photography sub-forum, and accelerated my acquisition of a Canon 100mm 2.8L Macro with IS, which can focus to infinity. The IS made a dramatic difference, once I discovered I had accidentally bumped the IS to the "off" position, and switched it back on. 100mm was perfect for the altitude and subject involved. Even so, helicopters vibrate tremendously.
I have much to learn! (I will post in a more appropriate place regarding the technical aspects of aerial photography.)
This experience prompted me to join a forum dedicated to photography. This seems like a good place.
Edited to add: I posted my request for technical advice in the Action, Sports, and Aviation sub-forum.
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