Flight-1, Brian Germain, and Greg Windmiller might be able to teach you how to land your canopy safely, but they don't teach what is arguably the most important skill for a canopy pilot to master. What could be more important than being a safe canopy pilot? Being a photogenic canopy pilot! Here are some tips for maximizing your exposure on SkydivingStills.com.
To start, remember your landing priorities from AFF? Yeah, forget those. Wing level? What fun is that? No obstacles? No spectacular crashes! Flare? Please. PLF? More like faceplant! If you want decent pictures, you have new priorities...
Find the camera
Pay attention to the location of the camera while you fly the landing pattern. At CPI, you'll find it along the beer line in the mornings and often out in the field in the afternoons. Finding the camera should be your first priority, especially when turning base to final.
Find the Sun
Try to land with the sun behind the photographer. When you are in between the photographer and the sun, the pictures will be backlit. This often makes the sky too bright and the colors muted.
See how much better a well lit picture looks?
On the other hand, sometimes backlit pictures can be nice. Please help control the brightness of the sun by covering it with your canopy.
Choose an appropriate landing direction
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a landing direction. Is there enough wind to make for a spectacular downwinder? Where will the sun be when you're on final? Will the camera be seeing your face or your back when you land? At CPI, the light is almost always better when landing to the South. North landings should be reserved for early mornings, late afternoons, and spectacular downwind landings.
When landing to the North, you'll get the best light near the North treeline.
If your shadow is in front of you, you've probably chosen a less than ideal landing direction.
Landing in the opposite direction of other canopies can often make for spectactular pictures. The key is to maintain close proximity to the other canopies. Otherwise only one can be in focus at a time and the effect is less dramatic.
Choose an appropriate distance from the camera
Don't be too far.
Or too close. Remember, you are not trying to tackle the photographer.
Try to be juuuuust right.
If you want your whole canopy in the picture, land a bit farther away. And remember to leave room for your bridle!
Where'd the plane go?
The plane doesnt disappear after you jump out of it. It's usually landing at about the same time as you. Get between the plane and the photographer!
Some quick trigonometry will allow you to determine the correct altitude for a crossover. You may need to hold brakes or front risers to adjust your height for the perfect framing.
Is the Moon out?
Always know where the Moon is. When the Moon is out during the day, plan your canopy flight around it. Always put yourself between the photographer and the Moon. Make as many passes as possible.
Don't be like "eh, close enough." No, it's not close enough. Be precise!
Make a great face
Try to be like Tom.
Kick up the peas, dirt, grass, or snow
Standing up your landings is not important. Be spectacular.
Disturb the snow. It's ok.
Tandems know how it's done.
No! This is not how we land in snow!
Land in groups
Landing close to each other is just common courtesy for the photographer. It's simply a matter of efficiency. Why get a picture of one person when you can get two or more people in a single picture?
CRW breakoffs are ideally done when the ground can be seen in the photo. Avoid breakoffs above treetop level.
Fall with style
"Let inertia take control and don't tense up." - Ancient Chinese proverb.
Bonus points for a leg in the air.
Double bonus for both.
"The Scorpion" is always a crowd pleaser.
Making people smile: Priceless.
Avoid your own canopy's shadow
In the middle of the day when the sun is straight above, your canopy's shadow will tend fall on your body. This ruins pictures.
To avoid this problem, lean your canopy over as steeply as possible before landing. This will ensure the sun reaches your face.
Good effort.
Landing like this provides much better lighting for photos of your spectacular crash too!
Dress for success
A normal jumpsuit won't attract the attention of a photographer. Spiderman will.
Too busy working to join the festivities? I don't think so!
Bright colors work too.
Eye Contact
Camera awareness is one of the most important canopy skills you will learn. But knowing where the camera is isn't enough. You have to put that knowledge to use and look right at the camera. Looking where you're going doesn't cut it.