Puget Sound Aerial Photography

THE "CLEAR" BENEFITS OF LOW ALTITUDE

Just a few short years ago the primary platform for aerial photography involved use of full-scale aircraft. While helicopters and small planes continue capturing video and photos for their clients, remote control models are rising up with undeniable advantages.

RC helicopters offer both the client and operator significant cost benefits. Clearly with fuel prices and maintenance and operation overhead, the full-scale approach is very expensive. But what are some of the less obvious advantages of the RC platform?

Altitude restrictions for light aircraft pose the most significant challenge. The minimum altitude for developed areas is 1000 feet and 500 feet elsewhere. But more often than not, a height of less than 150 feet is more desirable for two primary reasons. Atmospheric haze and limited detail of the subject make it unfavorable for real estate photography. In fact, unless you want wide area shots from higher altitudes then you can forget about detail and clarity.

First, photographing a smaller object from higher altitudes requires a telephoto lens and a quick shutter speed to avoid motion blur, which means using fast film that lacks good contrast and appears grainy. Then while atmospheric haze increases with altitude, picture clarity decreases. There's no lens or camera technology that can reverse the "haze" effect.

At lower altitudes, haze and camera blur challenges do not exist. Plus, photos from 150 feet and lower allow for wide angle options which produce the desired detail as well as background and horizon.

For better quality results and for the most cost effective method for aerial photography today, the RC helicopter camera ship is hard to beat. The benefits and advantages are "clear". Picture quality, lower altitude advantages with reduced haze and access to more confined, intimate areas make for an easy, affordable choice for the view from above.

By Chad Douglas Burrington

View From The Ground