Regarding the employment of recon pods and devices, I think it depends on the particular device. Most recon camera pods are high-resolution digital cameras (either still photo or video, or even both), and from what I understand, they have an array of cameras pointing to both sides at an angle, as well as straight down, as they're usually carried on the centreline pylon of an aircraft. The aircraft flies a straight-and-level course and the pilot triggers the camera to begin recording at an interval, and then stops it after they've passed over the target area. I imagine with modern and up-to-date systems, GPS would play a part in knowing when to start and stop the recording too.
The tricky part is not getting shot down by all the air defences or fighters that will be coming after you while you're flying around in straight lines...