Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground or objects from an elevated position. Platforms for aerial photography include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, multirotor and fixed winged Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), balloons, blimps and dirigibles, pigeons, kites, parachutes, stand-alone telescoping and vehicle-mounted poles. Mounted cameras may be triggered remotely or automatically.
Aerial photography is used in cartography (particularly in photogrammetric surveys, which are often the basis for topographic maps), land-use planning, archaeology, movie production, environmental studies, surveillance, commercial advertising, conveyancing, and artistic projects. An example of how aerial photography is used in the field of archaeology is the mapping project done at the site Angkor Borei in Cambodia from 1995-1996. Using aerial photography, archaeologists were able to identify archaeological features, including 112 water features (reservoirs, artificially constructed pools and natural ponds) within the walled site of Angkor Borei. In the United States, aerial photographs are used in many Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for property analysis.
Advantages of Aerial Photography over Ground Based Observation
- Offers an improved vantage point.
- Capability to take a “snap shot” of time that serves as a permanent record of changes.
- Broader spectral sensitivity than the human eye and much broader field of view.
- Better spatial resolution and geometric/radiometric fidelity than many ground based methods.
- Provides repetitive looks at the same area.
- Can focus in on a very specific wavelength range and distinguish subtle differences.
- Can also look at a number of wavelengths simultaneously.
Advantages of a UAS platform for Aerial Photography
- Bridge the gap between what can be achieved from a helicopter and a camera crane. This unique ability allows shots that can travel from 400ft feet down to ground level in one shot or vice versa.
- Can continue filming lower than a helicopter with less disturbance.
- Can save time due to their ability to take off at the filming location and reset quickly for next take or the next shot.
- Maneuver into positions and heights that would either be very difficult, or dangerous to do using conventional manned aircrafts.
- Camera moves are easily repeatable or just as easily modified during a shot with the director or cinematographer able to talk to the camera operator while filming and adjust the shot accordingly.
- Can be ready for filming minutes after the weather clears in bad weather situations.
- Very quiet operation and is ideally suited for obtaining images in conservation areas, animals and livestock, and residential areas.
- Drone services are affordable compared to traditional aerial photography based on helicopters and fixed winged aircraft and offer spectacular perspectives.
Nikhil M. Naidu