Kite Aerial Photography KAP Guide. HiCam Kite Camera Kit Assembly.

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HICAM CAMERA KIT ASSEMBLY

Safety First

Your first KAP attempt should be in a wide open space such as a sports field or a beach. The wind should be steady and not strong, particularly if you are not familiar with flying kites. The amount of pull a large kite can exert, is easy to underestimate in strong wind. Beware of flying in storms or near power lines.

Step by Step:

1.	Launch the kite and let out about 30 meters (30 yards) of line. In good conditions the kite will now be flying at a high angle and pulling strongly.
2.	Attach the kite line to the first upper Picavet ring by means of a larks head knot. See picture below:

3.	Attach the kite line to the second upper Picavet ring also by means of a larks head knot. The two attachments must be at least half a meter apart.
4.	Make sure the lines of the Picavet can move freely through the rings. If not adjust until they do. Do not arm the timer, but let out more line until the cradle is at the height you want to take the picture from. Remember that the camera has a wide angle lens so the camera does not have to be very high to get an effective aerial photo.

5.	Attach the kite line to a anchor or get somebody to hold the line.
6.	Walk the line down until you get to the camera cradle.
7.	Adjust the cradle to point in the right direction.
8.	Arm the timer and advance the film on the camera. To arm the timer, you wind the timer screw anti-clockwise and once the timer arm is at its highest point push the timer screw in towards the cradle body. (if the timer screw is not pushed inwards the time will be very short.)
9.	Release the cradle.
10.	Repeat from point 7 for each picture.
11.	Note that if you are using the OLYMPUS the timer screw must be turned almost all the way in. Adjust and test.

NEXT: Frequently Asked Questions About KAP

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