A flight over San Francisco Bay gives you views you can’t get from the ground: the Golden Gate Bridge from above, Alcatraz sitting in the water, the skyline stretching out behind it. It’s no surprise that most guests want to take photos.
The good news is that you don’t need a professional camera to come home with great shots. A phone works well, and a few simple habits make a big difference. Here’s how to get the most out of your photos, whether you’re flying in a helicopter or a seaplane.
Start With What You’re Bringing
A little preparation before you leave makes the flight easier.
- Charge your phone or camera fully → Flying is a great time to take a lot of photos and video, and you’ll use more battery than you expect.
- Clear space on your phone → Burst photos and video take up a lot of room.
- Clean your lens → A smudge on the lens is the most common reason aerial photos look soft or hazy, and it takes five seconds to fix.
- Use a camera strap or wrist strap → Keep it around your neck or wrist so you can focus on the view.
- Check with us about what to bring → If you’re planning to bring a larger camera, give us a call at 415-332-4843 before your flight and we’ll walk you through what works best on board.
Take Photos Through the Window
Most of your photos will be taken through the aircraft window, and a few small things help.
- Get close to the glass, without pressing on it → Holding your lens or phone close to the window cuts down on reflections. If you’re wearing a light-colored shirt, you may see it reflected in the window, so dark clothing helps.
- Keep the camera steady, but off the aircraft → Don’t rest your phone or camera directly on the window frame or the aircraft, because engine vibration travels through it and can blur your photos. Hold your camera with both hands and let your arms absorb the movement.
- Stay out of the way of your neighbors → If you’re flying with a group, take turns at the best angles. Everyone gets a window.
Settings That Help
On a phone:
- Turn on the grid in your camera settings to keep the horizon level.
- Tap the screen to set focus on the scene, then adjust the brightness slider if the sky is washing out.
- Use burst mode (hold the shutter button) for moments like passing the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Use the optical zoom lenses if your phone has them, rather than pinching to zoom. Pinching reduces quality.
On a camera:
- Use a fast shutter speed, around 1/1000 of a second or faster, to freeze the motion of the aircraft.
- Use continuous autofocus and burst mode.
- A lens hood or a rubber lens shade helps block reflections from the window.
What to Shoot
You’ll cover a lot of ground in a short flight, so it helps to know the highlights.
- The Golden Gate Bridge → Take wide shots to show the whole span, and closer shots of the towers.
- Alcatraz → It looks very different from above than from the ferry.
- The San Francisco skyline → Look for it as you turn back toward the city.
- The water → The Bay changes color with the light, and shots of the shoreline and boats make good photos too.
- The people with you → A photo of your group’s reactions often ends up being the favorite.
Think About the Light
The time of day changes how your photos look. Morning light is soft and clean. Late afternoon brings warm, golden light that shows off the bridge and the hills. If photography is a priority, a sunset flight is hard to beat, and our Sunset Champagne tour is available as both a seaplane and a helicopter flight.
Fog and haze can add a moody, atmospheric look to your photos, and fog rolling over the Golden Gate is one of San Francisco’s most iconic views. If you’re choosing a time of year, our guide to the best time of year to book a San Francisco air tour can help.
Then Put the Camera Down
Take your photos, then take a moment to look out the window without a screen in front of you. The photos will remind you of the flight, but the view is the point. Many guests find the best part of the flight is simply watching the Bay go by.
Ready to See the Bay?
Every flight departs from the Mill Valley Seabase, just 10 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Book your aero adventure here or call 415-332-4843.