Imagine trying to do your job while sitting in the back of Nissan Micra careering along in the fast lane. Then think of doing that with the door taken off, your legs dangling out, manhandling over 6kg of equipment and only a lap belt to anchor you in place.

That’s a bit what it’s like doing an aerial shoot. This journo-quality shot on the right is of yachting photographer Thierry Martinez preparing to start work yesterday shooting the start of the Mini Transat race from the back seat of Budgie the Helicopter. You’d need a fisheye lens to fit in the whole scene, which I don’t have. I guess you get used to it.

And below is a rather better quality one showing the results – you can see more of Thierry’s images here