| I have been interested in photography for as long as | | | | topographic maps, planning land use, archeology, |
| I can remember. And have experimented with many | | | | production of movies, espionage, environmental and |
| different forms. Among my favorites are | | | | weather studies, commercial color advertising for |
| photographs that I have taken from a unique | | | | magazines, billboards, posters and postcards, hobbies, |
| perspective such as a single engine airplane or glider. | | | | and many other fields. |
| These are among my most fascinating | | | | The use of technology has also crawled into this field |
| accomplishments in the field of photography. And I | | | | of photography. Advances in radio control technology |
| have learned that aerial photography can lend some | | | | have allowed for the use of aircraft models which |
| assistance to your personal creativity. | | | | are controlled from the ground to conduct |
| History | | | | low-altitude photography. This solution is primarily |
| Aerial photography is defined as the taking of | | | | used for advertising and in the real estate industry to |
| photographs from the air with a camera mounted or | | | | address safety regulations that prohibit manned |
| hand held on an aircraft, helicopter, spacecraft, | | | | aircraft from flying at low altitudes over populated |
| balloon, rocket, kite, skydiver or similar airborne | | | | areas. These radio-controlled aircraft work well in this |
| vehicle. Aerial photography is an important artistic and | | | | environment and offer a low cost solution to the |
| commercial skill, which was first developed by a | | | | photographer. |
| French airman by the name of Felix Nadar who took | | | | Public Domain |
| his first aerial photos from a hot air balloon 1858. | | | | Aerial photographs are considered public domain |
| This new technology was first used extensively | | | | because the pictures are taken from aerial views |
| during World War I where in 1918 units in France | | | | which are considered public places. As a result you will |
| took as many as 10,000 photos per night during peak | | | | find that there are many ways to view aerial |
| activity. Throughout World War II aerial photos | | | | photographs on-line. One of the most popular today |
| where used extensively for military operations to spy | | | | can be found at Google Earth, which provides satellite |
| on the enemy and assess their installations and | | | | imagery as well as aerial photos of the planet. You |
| ground fighting capabilities. These photographs | | | | can actually use the service to search for places in a |
| provided updated and realistic impressions of the | | | | given area such as parks, restaurants, schools and |
| topography as well as troop movement on the | | | | hotels. It can also be used to identify the best routes |
| ground and potential targets. Once an attack against | | | | for reaching a given destination. You can also view |
| the enemy was complete aerial reconnaissance | | | | the aerial photographs from different angles by tilting |
| photographs were used to assess damage and to | | | | and rotating them on screen. |
| form an opinion as to success of the mission. | | | | If you are interested in learning more about this topic |
| In 1957, aerial photography reached new heights with | | | | you can browse through some basic materials at |
| the Russian's first satellite launch of the Sputnik. This | | | | your local library or use the internet, which offers a |
| was the beginning of satellite imagery. Then in 1972, | | | | wealth of information on the history, benefits and |
| with the first launch of Landsat satellites by NASA | | | | commercial service providers. Additionally, if you are |
| satellite imagery was sold commercially for the first | | | | just starting out or wish to expand your hobbies as a |
| time. | | | | photographer just stop by your local community |
| Today's Uses | | | | airport. There you will find a number of flight schools |
| There are many potential commercial and | | | | and other flight services where for a reasonably small |
| non-commercial uses for photographs taken from | | | | investment you can enjoy a one hour flight and add |
| above. Today they are used for developing | | | | many interesting photos to your portfolio. |