Aerial photography is the art of taking photographs an in elevated position from the ground. Aerial Photography is usually the term that is referred to when the images taken from the camera are not supported by any type of ground based structure. Aerial Photographs may be triggered remotely, they may be triggered automatically or they may be taken by photographers, the cameras can be hand held or mounted. There are many different types of platforms for Aerial Photography, some og these include:
Fixed Wing Aircraft Balloons Kites Helicopters Dirigibles and Blimps Rockets Parachutes Poles
The History of Aerial Photography
Gaspard-Felix Tournachon was a balloonist and photographer from France, he was the first person to practice Aerial Photography. He was widely known as 'Nadar' in Paris (France) 1858. It was on April 24th 1909 the first use of a motion picture camera was used, this camera was mounted to a heavier-than-air aircraft and was used over Rome. It was used in 'Wilbur Wright und seine Flugmaschine the 3:28 silent short film.
Some of the uses of Aerial Photography
Aerial Photography has many different uses, and is becoming more and more popular today, as technology gets better, the images and ways they can be taken in an aerial sense also improve. Bellow are some examples of what Aerial Photography is used in today:
Cartography uses Aerial Photography; they are particularly relied upon in Photogrammetric Surveys. Photogrammetric Surveys are often the basis for Topographic Maps Commercial Advertising – The camera is usually mounted on a plane or helicopter allowing a great range of movement and speed to achieve the required photography. Surveillance – This is performed similarly to the Commercial Advertising but will use very high tech equipment, that can take many shots in a short period of time, the image quality will be great zoomed in aswell Archaeology Movie Production – This type of Aerial Photography will be like Surveillance, also high tech equipment but also accompanied with video footage. Conveyancing Environmental Studies Artistic Projects – Aerial Photography will tend to focus on landmarks and great views above land.
GIS systems are often what are used to process Aerial Photography. Property Analysis (Phase Environmental Site Assessments) heavily use Aerial Photography in the United States.
Low altitude Aerial Photography is now possible by radio control due to advances in today's technology (Radio Controlled Models). The camera equipment is mounted on to radio controlled equipment like (planes and blimps), Blimps are usually the preferred choice as they are easier to control at low speeds. Real Estate advertising has greatly benefited from this, this is because a full manned aircraft by law is prohibited from flying at low altitudes above populated locations. Therefore small scale model remote controlled models which are allowed to fly above populated areas open up the possibilities for better Aerial Photography. These small planes cannot replace a full size aircraft tho as they only have short fly times. Lower altitudes and can carry less equipment.
Daniel Owen writes about Aerial Photography. To know more about Aerial Photography, visit http://www.businessmagnet.co.uk
Filed under Articles by on Jun 4th, 2010. Comment. 
There are many companies throughout the UK offering Aerial Photography from aircraft but also several offering mast photography. These offer very different products and the end use, location and size of site will dictate which is the most appropriate.
Mast Photography is where a camera is elevated from a fixed point on the ground using an extended pole or mast. This is often hydraulically operated although some manual systems still exist. Conventional Aerial Photography utilizes an aircraft such as a Cessna or a Robinson Helicopter. Both mast and conventional aerial photographic companies will often have their own extensive Aerial Photographic Library.
Although it would appear that mast photography would be lower cost it must be remembered that the photographer (with mast) must travel to the site and once at a site it takes time to set up the mast in each position. Due to these timely processes the price is often similar.
Event Photography is often undertaken using a combination of both mast photography and aerial photography due to the differences in the results. It also allows greater coverage and a much greater variety of angles.
Although some forms of Construction Photography benefit from mast photography large construction projects will often require conventional aerials as greater height will be needed. This is especially true if local transport links need to be included which may be several miles from the site. Progress Photography of building projects will often have a similar brief but ultimately the type of photography used will be dictated by the size of the site and the desired content.
South African born Keith has lived in the south of England for most of his life. After graduating from University with a degree in Business Information Systems Management he decided to start Strawberrysoup; a website design company based in West Sussex and Dorset.
Keith successfully gained entry into the Southampton University Air Squadron and spent over 12 months training to fly. Since then he has continued to follow his interest in flying and has now began his own training in the form of a Private Pilot's Licence.
Keith also spent 13 months working within the Image and Printing Group at Hewlett Packard in Bracknell. Throughout his time there, he was responsible for many activities including events organisation and website design and maintenance.
Filed under Articles by on Apr 30th, 2010. Comment.
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