Remote camera
A remote camera is a camera placed by a photographer in areas where the photographer generally cannot be or for selfies. This includes areas with limited access, tight spaces where a person is not allowed, or just another angle so that the photographer can simultaneously take pictures of the same moment from different locations.
Remote cameras are most widely used in sports photography.[1] 35mm digital or film, and medium format cameras are the most common types of cameras that are used.
Necessary items
The general list of items that are necessary to set up and use a remote camera are:
- A camera with automatic film advance or motor drive
- Mounting hardware
- Safety cables
- Triggering units and cables
- Gaffer tape & black wrap
Uses and practices
Remote cameras are used by photographers to make more pictures and from different angles. Remotes are very popular in sports and wildlife photography.
Cameras are often placed in angles that a photographer cannot physically be during a shoot. Sport use examples include behind the backboard at a basketball game or overhead in the rafters of an arena during a hockey game.
Placement
Remote cameras that placed in suspended positions usually are mounted with clamps and arms such as the Bogen Super Clamp and Variable Friction Arm, often referred to as "Magic Arms". The camera and lens are connected to the variable friction arm which is attached to the Super Clamp which in turn is secured to a fixed item such as a basketball post, hand railing, or rafter. Ground plates or tripods are typically used for remote cameras placed on the ground.
Triggering
Remote cameras can be fired via hand triggers, sound triggers, radio transmitters (mainly Bluetooth shutters), or the self-timer built into the camera.
For remotes that are in close proximity to the photographer, hand or sound triggers can be used.
A hand trigger consists of a button or switch that is connected to the camera via a wire that is set to fire the camera's shutter.
For remotes that are placed away from the photographer, radio triggering systems such as Bluetooth shutter button, Pocket Wizards or Flash Wizards are used. A radio trigger consists of a button or switch that is connected to a radio triggering transmitter or transceiver which is set to fire a radio triggering receiver or transceiver that is connected to the camera via a wire that is set to fire the camera's shutter.
For rocket launches, including the Space Shuttle, remote cameras are triggered by the sound of the launch.[2]
Safety
The number one priority with remotes should be safety for other people during the shoot. Steel safety cables should be used to secure each part of the remote camera to a secure fixture. Safety cables are made of braided steel cord with steel carabiners on each end. Also security boxes should be used to protect the remote camera from damage and theft. Security boxes are made of heavy duty steel and powder coated for long life. Also has locking channels for safety cables to be given more safety form stolen.[3]
Game camera
Another type of remote camera is the game camera or trail camera. It is a device that records images, either as a still photograph or a video. It is a rugged and weatherproof camera designed for extended and unmanned use outdoors. The images it produces are used for game surveillance by hunters.
Most cameras come with a strap that allows it to be hung from a tree and a lock to prevent theft. It will automatically take a picture when it senses motion. Each image is stamped with Exif data which includes the date, time it was recorded, as well as a number of other data points. The game camera will usually function day and night by sensing game out to around 100 feet.
The first hunting trail monitor used heat sensing motion detectors to trigger a counter to count the number and record the time of animals passing by. The sensors are also known as passive infrared light sensors or PIR sensors.[4] Normally, hunters are never around so they do not know what kind or size animal was being counted. Later, a camera was added. Game camera technology has evolved since then. Originally wildlife photography was only available by using film, but now there is a choice of film or digital cameras. The ability of game cameras to tell hunters where game is located is useful for pre-season scouting. The information when used in conjunction with trail camera software[5] tells hunters where to best place their blind or tree-stand. For digital cameras, all images are recorded onto a memory card, such as a commonly available SD card. This also allows hunters to conveniently transfer the images to a home computer or they can be viewed, copied and deleted by a Viewer in the field.[6] More expensive units have the ability to wirelessly upload captured images to a computer or website without any user interference.
Types available
- Digital - Produce digital pictures instead of film
- Film - Instead of digital these cameras use film, usually 35mm
- Laser aim - Produce a red light beam for aiming where the image location is to be taken from
- Strobe flash - Incandescent flash that will usually reach out to 15 feet for nighttime images
- IR - Sometimes available in addition to strobe flash or alone, for more stealth like performance
- Sound producing - Game calls or sounds to attract any of a wide variety of animals, with sounding intervals adjustable from 1 to 24 hours[6]
Technical details
Depending on how the camera is set up, a new photo can usually be taken every second for as long as motion/heat events are detected. Some game cameras give the user a choice of settings for regular camera flash or stealth-like LED flash. LED flash enables the hunter to discreetly image game in the night without a visible flash. This prevents the flash from giving away the hunters position in popular hunting areas. Some models have a manual switch to set an infrared filter for day or night mode.[6]
Advantages of strobe flash cameras
- Long range flash performance – Some have a flash range of over 60 feet
- High quality color images during both day and night makes animal identification easy
- Completely freezes animal movement so there is never any nighttime motion blur[9]
Disadvantages of strobe flash cameras
- The flash may spook game
- The flash can be noticed by other hunters
- Cannot record night time videos[9]
Advantages of Infrared (IR) cameras
- Less likely to alarm an animal (as no visible light is generated)
- Less likely to be noticed by other hunters[9]
- Battery life is much improved over cameras with flash.
Disadvantages of IR cameras
- Nighttime images are black and white and have less detail and clarity
- Infrared flash quality/range tradeoff: If the infrared flash is designed for maximum range the images may be overly white, or blur. If the infrared flash is designed for best image quality, range will be sacrificed.[9]
See also
Types
Other uses of the game camera
Game cameras are also used by Bigfoot research groups[10] and enthusiasts making an effort to capture a photo of the legendary creature.[11]
References
- ↑ Peter Read Miller. Peter Read Miller on Sports Photography: A Sports Illustrated photographer's tips, tricks, and tales on shooting football, the Olympics, and portraits of athletes. p. 140. ISBN 0133087077. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ↑ http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1429
- ↑ "Trail Camera in 2015 – Comparison and Reviews". August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Trail Camera in 2015 – Comparison and Reviews". 1 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ↑ "DeerLab Trail Camera Photo Software".
- 1 2 3 "Bushnell Corporation Trail Cameras". Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ↑ Eyetrax website, a manufacturer of cellular solar-powered remote cameras
- ↑ Mobotix website, a manufacturer of cellular solar-powered remote cameras
- 1 2 3 4 Non Typical Inc. 860 Park Lane, Park Falls WI 54552, Trail Cameras
- ↑ BFRO Bigfoot Field Research Organization 11-04-09
- ↑ $1,000,000 dollar Sasquatch photo challenge Field & Stream 05-29-08
