What is aerial photography?

Aerial photography is a kind of photography that all photographers and photography enthusiasts are most curious about and seek various ways to shoot aerial photography and aerial video. Traditionally, aerial photography is carried out with real planes and helicopters and the photographer flying one-on-one and taking the photos they want.

However, due to the high cost of aircraft and helicopter rental, aerial photographs could not be used in every project. Besides, it was not possible to take detailed photos from the desired angles because the planes and helicopters could not reach the required low altitude.

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In recent years, with the development of technology, various alternative methods have been developed for taking aerial photography and aerial video. This made it possible to take pictures from altitudes (1-500 meters) closer to the earth.

History of aerial photography

Aerial photos have been used since 1920, but it was not until 1940 that they began to play a prominent role in the study of forests and related fields. The possibility of taking good quality images at low-cost thanks to the improvement of very simple photogrammetric cameras and photographic measurement methods has made it possible to use modern techniques. When you need to learn about the configuration of land and now aerial photography is increasingly becoming an essential working tool.

Different tools for taking aerial photography

Model planes were one of the first alternative methods used in aerial photography; However, for model planes to take off and land, there had to be a certain runway, not as long as real airplanes. Besides, the inability of model aircraft to stay in the air was another problem.
Model helicopters were more advantageous than model aircraft in this sense, as with real helicopters, model helicopters could remain stationary in the air and could take off and land at the desired location without the need for a runway. But flying model helicopters require very good piloting. Also, the model helicopter pilot should know the model helicopter he uses well and be able to make difficult mechanical and electronic settings.
Zeppelin-style helium balloons, on the other hand, provided little benefit for some reasons such as high-cost helium gas, transport problem and routing problems due to wind.
The groundbreaking event in aerial photography and video shooting is called the MultiCopter; If we briefly define the MultiCopters; They are radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles that have more than one engine and are connected to each engine, which can be lifted by pushing the air towards the ground, maintaining and moving its plane with the electronic balancing system on it, and working with special lithium polymer batteries. MultiCopter is equipped with special systems that absorb the vibrations caused by the motors and a brushless gimbal that prevents our camera from shaking. In addition, MultiCopters with the most advanced autopilot system are equipped with GPS-enabled position fixing, GPS-assisted flight and automatic landing and landing in case of any control signal interruption. In this way, we can perform a safe flight. Aerial video and photo shooting with the MultiCopter has recently become an industry that most people are dealing with. Even if MultiCopters have very advanced autopilot systems, the pilot using the device should be well acquainted with the device and after all safety checks, the flight should be started.
Camera carrier and stabilizer; what affects us the most when taking photos with the camera on a device moving in the air? Of course, shake.
Camera; we pay attention to the light camera we will use for aerial photography. Because the lighter our load, the longer our flight time will be. The new generation of mirrorless DSLRs is well suited for this job. For example, The camera can use is the NEX-5n model of Sony company that can take photos in 350dpi RAW format at 16.1 mp resolution. We generally prefer wide-angle lenses according to the subject and location to be taken as a lens.
The remote control is an important piece of equipment that we use to control our MultiCopter and camera from the ground. It provides control up to 2.5 km frequency system. Besides, we can give various commands to our camera from the ground.
The ground station that there is a monitor enables us to see the image coming from our camera on the MultiCopter.

The aerial photography sector is one of the sectors where these devices are mostly used. Although the history of these devices is 3-4 years, they have developed very rapidly and today, thanks to GPS-supported systems, they are easy to use and are the favorite of people who want to take pictures from the air.

What you should know in aerial photography

In aerial photography, it is necessary to be familiar with aviation, electronics, mechanics and aerodynamics as well as knowing photography. Also, it is necessary to have a good pilot to use the aircraft to be used. So it is necessary to get used to using the device for a long time.
Aerial photography is done by two people; While one person, our pilot controls the MultiCopter, the other person (photographer – cameraman) sees the image on the camera in front of the monitor, moves the camera right and left up and down with separate control, adjusts the desired frame and takes the photo by pressing the shutter button on the remote control. We have a special device that enables the shutter to be pressed by controlling the camera via remote control.
Aerial photography is the process of taking a photo from a height, but this is more than just using a light aircraft or helicopter and flying to photo elevations. To prepare an aerial map, the elements must be observed. So if there is enough information for useful research, it will be assured.
Aerial photography includes all photographs that cover all the features of the earth’s surface, from tolls and elevations to constructions.
One of the most important applications of aerial photography is a variety of studies in the fields of geology, road construction, environment and natural resources, urban planning, agriculture and most importantly in military and security discussions.