You’re floating. Or at least, you’re trying to. In reality, you’re probably grimacing as 120 mph winds blast your cheeks into shapes you didn't know they could take. This is the iFly experience in Novi, just outside Detroit. Most people head to the flight chamber for the adrenaline, but let’s be real: you want the proof. You want those iFly indoor skydiving - Detroit photos to look like you’re a pro skydiver, not a confused marshmallow in a jumpsuit.
It's tricky. The lighting inside the tunnel is specific, the glass reflects everything, and the action happens fast. If you've ever seen a photo of yourself in a wind tunnel where you look like a disgruntled bulldog, you know the struggle.
I’ve spent enough time around these vertical wind tunnels to know that the difference between a "delete immediately" photo and an Instagram-worthy shot comes down to body tension and where your family is standing with their phones.
Why the iFly Detroit Photos Often Turn Out Blurry
It’s physics, basically. The wind tunnel at the Novi location uses massive fans to create a column of air. This air isn't just moving; it’s vibrating. When you’re inside, you’re vibrating too. Most smartphone cameras struggle with the "shutter speed" required to freeze that motion through a thick layer of acrylic glass.
The glass is the enemy. It's thick. It’s scratched from thousands of people leaning against it. If your "photographer" (usually a bored sibling or a nervous parent) stands too far back, the camera focuses on the fingerprints on the glass rather than your face.
You need to get the lens right up against the window. Seriously.
If there’s a gap between the phone and the glass, you get glare. You get reflections of the "Flight Deck" seating area. You get a photo of a lightbulb superimposed over your forehead.
✨ Don't miss: 100 Biggest Cities in the US: Why the Map You Know is Wrong
The Professional Photo System vs. Your Phone
iFly Detroit has a high-end camera system built into the tunnel. These are synced with the flight timing. They use high-speed flashes that "freeze" the air. Honestly, these are usually better than anything you’ll get on a generic iPhone 14 or even the latest Samsung.
The pro photos are taken from angles you can't reach. There’s a camera mounted inside the plenum (the top part of the tunnel) looking down, and others at waist level.
Buying the digital package is usually worth it if you’re doing a milestone event like a birthday or a team-building session. They catch the "High Flight"—that moment the instructor grabs your harness and zips you 20 feet up into the air. You can't capture that from the ground. You’ll just get a blurry shot of your sneakers disappearing into the ceiling.
Making Your Face Look... Normal
Air pressure does weird things to skin. When you're in the tunnel, the temptation is to open your mouth. Don't. Unless you want a photo of your cheeks flapping like a flag in a hurricane.
Keep your chin up. Look at the horizon, not the floor. When you look down at the net, the wind catches your forehead and pushes your helmet over your eyes. It looks goofy. By tilting your head up, you present a flat surface to the wind, which actually helps your stability and makes for a much cleaner profile in your iFly indoor skydiving - Detroit photos.
Relax your hands. New flyers tend to "claw" the air. It looks like you're trying to tickle an invisible giant. Flatten your palms. It’s more aerodynamic and looks way more "pro" in the final edit.
🔗 Read more: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
The Novi Location Specifics
The Detroit iFly is situated at 44982 West Oaks Drive. It's in that massive shopping complex in Novi. Because of the layout, the viewing area is somewhat horseshoe-shaped.
If you want the best lighting for DIY photos, try to book a flight during the day. Even though it's indoors, the ambient light from the surrounding glass storefronts helps fill in the shadows that the tunnel’s internal LEDs might miss.
- The Best Angle: Stand to the left of the entry door.
- The Worst Angle: Directly in front of the "staging" area where the next group is waiting. You'll just get the backs of their helmets in your shot.
- Pro Tip: Wear bright colors under your flight suit. Sometimes the black or blue suits blend into the dark background of the tunnel. A flash of a bright t-shirt collar can actually help the camera's autofocus lock onto you.
Why Your Hair is Your Biggest Photo Enemy
If you have long hair, listen up. If it’s not braided tightly—and I mean tightly—it will turn into a bird's nest of knots that no amount of conditioner can fix.
In terms of photos, loose hair looks like a brown cloud around your head. It obscures your face. Use a hair tie. Then use another one. Braids are the gold standard for indoor skydiving photos because they stay sleek and don't whip around your goggles.
Post-Processing: Saving a Bad Shot
Sometimes you get the photo back and it’s "noisy." It looks grainy. This happens because the ISO on the camera spiked to compensate for the fast movement.
Don't delete it.
💡 You might also like: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Convert it to black and white. Indoor skydiving photos in high-contrast B&W look incredibly sharp. It hides the motion blur and makes the reflections on the glass look like intentional "artistic" flares. Use a "De-noise" filter if you have Lightroom or even a basic editing app. It smooths out the grain on your flight suit while keeping the edges of your goggles sharp.
The "High Flight" Shot
This is the holy grail. At the end of your second flight, the instructor will usually offer a "High Flight." They hold onto you and use their own legs as rudders to spiral you both up to the top of the tunnel.
This happens fast. Like, really fast.
If your friends are filming or taking photos, they need to switch to "Burst Mode" or "Slow-Mo" video. Taking a single still photo of a High Flight is a fool’s errand. You’ll miss it every time. Capture the video, then pull a high-quality frame from the footage later.
Practical Next Steps for Your Visit
Before you head to the Novi location, keep these three things in mind to ensure you actually get the images you want:
- Clean your phone lens. It sounds stupidly simple, but the air in the staging area is full of dust and fingerprint oils. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth prevents that "dreamy" (read: blurry) haze.
- Ask the instructor where the "sweet spot" is. Every instructor has a different "hover" height. Ask them, "Hey, I'm trying to get a good photo, where will you be holding me?" They are usually happy to position you right in front of your family for a few seconds if you ask nicely.
- Check the "Viewers" area first. Don't just walk in and fly. Spend five minutes watching the group before you. Look at where the light hits the glass. See those weird reflections of the exit sign? Move two feet to the left and they disappear. Find that spot and tell your group to stand there.
The goal isn't just to fly; it's to have the evidence that you conquered a 120 mph gale without losing your lunch or your dignity. Plan the shot, tighten the chin strap, and keep your mouth shut. You'll thank me when you see the results.