Aerial photography is the term used for photography that produces an image of an object, structure or place from an angle where the camera position is from above a person's normal reach. This could be in any place from 10 feet to 50,000 feet above the ground. Generally, there are eight separate categories of aerial photography and two separate methods within each category.
The first formula within a class depends on whether the images are static (a photograph taken by camera) or keen (a film or video taken by motion photograph camera). A second formula within each class depends on whether the camera is manned, i.e., having the photographer handle the camera directly, or unmanned where the photographer captures the image by remotely actuating the camera.
How the camera is elevated above the ground defines each of eight categories within aerial photography. These eight typical categories are:
o Fixed wing aircraft in low-level flight
o Helicopter
o Balloons
o Blimps and powered airfoils
o Radio controlled fixed or rotary wing platforms
o Kites
o Masts
o High level mapping and surveying aircraft
o Satellite platforms seeing back at the Earth (why this is not truly a class is explained below)
Each formula has its own purposes, advantages and disadvantages.
Photographers use fixed wing aircraft in low-level flight to capture structure and structures or to capture ground areas up to about a mile in diameter. This is because of the altitude above the ground an airplane can fly. Faa regulations restrict aircraft to stay at least 1000 feet above the ground in populated areas. Flying higher than 2000 feet for a photographic shoot is certainly potential but it may not be desirable because atmospheric conditions (haze) may interfere with the image quality. Photographs from low level, fixed wing flight can be whether static images or keen images. The photographer commonly holds the camera directly. An example of this application would be pictures taken to memorialize structures on the ground and their nearnessy to their surroundings. Another example would be to assess pictures of the same area taken over time in order to assess natural or manufactured changes. The cost for fixed wing aerial photography is moderate in comparison to other methods. The most cost efficient method, per shoot, is to agenda many sites in the same area during the same flight.
Photographers use helicopters to shoot objects and structures that that fixed wing aircraft cannot. They often use a helicopter where it is prominent to ensue a keen object or show motion over the ground. Photographs can be whether static or keen and may be directly manned or remotely actuated from a mounted camera pod. An example of this application would be to capture pictures of structure or landscaping from a continuous height where changes in the terrain make it impractical for an airplane to fly. The biggest drawback to using a helicopter to photograph the ground is the prohibitive cost of the aircraft, fuel, pilot and photographic crew. The big benefit to using a helicopter is that it can hover, ensue ground terrain and ensue keen objects.
Photographers occasionally use balloons for photography by tethering them over an event or area. Photographs are commonly static and used to show operation or short-term changes within a smaller area. whether the photography is manned or unmanned depends upon whether the balloon is large sufficient to carry a pilot and photographer. An example might be a hot air balloon tethered over an event to capture pictures of the crowds and activities below. Photographers sometimes use manned balloons to photograph the ground but they are not commonly the platform of option because balloons tour with the wind direction and need calm wind conditions.
Photographers use blimps and powered airfoils at low speed and at low altitudes to capture an event or area. They may track something over the ground at lower altitudes where a fixed wing aircraft machine or helicopter would interfere with the target or would be perilous or obtrusive. One example is the blimp that flies over a football stadium during a bowl game to photograph the event and furnish television coverage. Another example is using powered airfoils to photograph animal migrations because the aircraft can fly fairly low and slow without making much noise. Photographers generally use blimps and powered airfoils for photographing events under specialized conditions.
Radio controlled fixed or rotary wing platforms can be added sub-categorized into military and civilian applications. The military operates sophisticated fixed wing drones over long distances for watch and tracking. These are large, remotely piloted aircraft. Their civilian counterparts are by comparison much less sophisticated and much smaller. There are specialty companies that control mid-sized (in terms of payload capability) rotary wing platforms (camera carrying helicopters) often for surveying pipelines in remote and rugged terrain. A more typical civilian application used is on the scale of a robust radio controlled model helicopter with a remotely actuated, hand-held size camera. This application is somewhat thrifty but minute by how high the platform can fly. It requires very calm wing conditions.
Photographers sometimes use kites to loft smaller cameras for a unique low level, very localized view of the ground. A string or wire remotely actuates the camera. The photographer gets only a rough indication of where the camera lens is pointing so it is not a very strict method. This may be the least costly way to capture a photograph (unless the kite and camera crash) but it is not typically used in commercial applications.
Photographers use collapsible masts to elevate smaller cameras above the ground to collect very low level, localized and remotely actuated images of the ground or a structure. It is potential to use this formula with a video link that allows the photographer to aim the camera more precisely. Masts extend a camera from 30 feet up to 100 feet above the ground and need car access. The cost of using a mast to gain elevation above the ground is generally lower than using an airplane if compared on a single location-by-location basis if the area is small. A van or trailer transports the mast. The photographer then erects the mast at each site. However, an airplane can capture many sites much more efficiently, rescue equipment and crew time.
Fixed wing aircraft carry out high level mapping and surveying using sophisticated, very calibrated mounted cameras that capture a continuous swath of ground. These images are from a height of 3000 feet to as high as 50,000 feet above the surface. This formula is used for strict mapping, often over remote areas. Surveying aircraft can also be fitted with sensitive instruments like ground penetrating radar or magnetic resonance sensors to search for sub-surface characteristics. This is generally the most costly and most sophisticated use of aerial photographic technology.
Satellite platforms seeing back at the Earth could technically be categorized as "above the ground," but are certainly in a detach class because of their height above the outside (the scale of their images) and because of military restrictions on the resolution that can be used by the civilian public. Satellite imagery is a wholly separate application. Satellite photography has an prominent role to play under definite circumstances but it is not currently a true substitute for civilian and scientific aerial photography.
What Are Eight separate Categories of Aerial Photography and the Two Methods Within Each Category?