If you're a photography enthusiast and want to take your passion to a whole new level, aerial photography is as about exciting as it gets. I have the privilege and opportunity to interview three of the best in the aerial photography business.
Bob Mikkelson, President of Winged Vision, Inc. has been providing aerial video imagery for over 40 years
Dianne Bond, Bella Vie Photo, is one of a few professional female aerial photographers and has been shooting from helicopters for nearly 20 years.
Chris Rose, Senior Photographer, AOPA, transitioned from a long stint as a freelance photographer to aerial photography specializing in air to air since 2008.
All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career oriented webcast live-streamed weekly providing insight on the variety of opportunities and possibilities in the aviation and aerospace industries. It's host, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies frequently for personal and business. His background includes executive roles with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation, all after a 28-year broadcast journalism career working in seven major television and radio broadcast markets nationwide.
By: Private Air Media Title: Eyes in the Sky Aviation Careers in Aerial Photography Shooting from Airplanes, Helicopters, Blimps Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ou8fZaGV2A
You've got check out the 3 best drones on Amazon in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Which drone is the best for photography?
Drones can be used for a variety of purposes, including aerial photography, filming movies, and even delivering packages. But what makes drones such an useful tool? Drones have two main advantages. Firstly, they are incredibly versatile tools. There are thousands of ways to use drones. You can use them for almost every task that you would normally use a camera to accomplish. Second, they are extremely easy to operate. If you have flown a quadcopter before, you already know how simple it is to fly a drone.
Amazing images are another reason drones are so useful. Drones can capture amazing photos in places that you might not normally go. These include remote areas where you could potentially fall into dangerous situations.
Drones require very little skill to operate. Once you learn the basics, you will be able to use your drone to capture amazing photos from anywhere you happen to be. Take a look at our drone selection if your goal is to capture better photographs.
Are there any good spots to fly a drone and take photos?
Drones are a great tool for taking stunning photos of nature and landscapes. Drones can be used to take close-up photos of birds and butterflies, or capture stunning scenery.
Mountains, deserts lakes oceans beaches and cities are the best places to fly drones. Drone enthusiasts enjoy taking stunning photos of their surroundings and other local attractions.
To discover new areas, you should shoot at night when the lights illuminate it. You could also shoot during other seasons, especially winter when snow blankets.
Which drone can you use for aerial photography?
Two options are available if you plan to do aerial photography. You have two options: either buy a high-end camera package with a stabilizer, or rent a small remote controlled helicopter.
This is the best option if you want to shoot a movie or video because it allows you complete control over what the shots look like. With the second option, you'll have to pay more and be much more dependent on the pilot.
But what if you want to make sure the shot looks great even though you're not controlling the camera? This is where drones come into play.
A drone, a small flying aircraft, can take photos and video by itself without having to be controlled by an operator.
They are versatile and can fly close to structures and buildings to capture photos or film footage. They can also fly low in the air over crowds to capture photographs of people.
Drones have incredible capabilities for aerial photography, videography, and other uses. Drones are also great for marketing, as they can be used to create stunning visuals that would otherwise take a lot more manpower and equipment.
They can be placed in strategic places to capture amazing imagery. They can also fly remotely, making them extremely easy to operate.
For example, some companies hire drones for weddings. These wedding photographers can use their drones to fly above the ceremony area and capture amazing photos of the bride & groom.
Or, they can fly them over to guests to capture portraits of family members. Or they can fly them over reception areas to capture beautiful views of the venue.
These activities are great for event coverage or promotional material. Drones can also be used for short films. You could show clients how your company is better than others by using one.
These are all reasons drones have become increasingly popular in aerial photography and videography. A drone may be the perfect tool for professional photographers.
How much money do drone photographers make?
Photographers can earn more than $10k depending on how long they fly and where they shoot. You could make as much as $20-30 per hour if you are able to shoot in remote areas like national parks and forests.
The average person earns between $15-$25 an hour working in retail, which means you could earn $50-$75 flying drones if you wanted to. There are many opportunities to make even more. Many drone pilots work for companies that require them fly across the country and even internationally.
It is possible to charge $100 to $300 per flight depending on how many miles you cover and how much time you spent flying. Although this can quickly add up, if you are passionate about photography and enjoy flying, it could be worthwhile.
What kind of drones do professional pilots use?
Drones are an amazing tool for aerial photography. They are incredibly useful for recording video footage and capturing images from above. They are useful when taking measurements and surveying land.
These devices are often used commercially to map large areas, or inspect construction sites. They can also be used for other purposes than business.
Drones provide entertainment value for friends and families. There are countless ways to fly these machines and explore new places. Drones also make it easy to take photos and video of special events.
Drones can be used in a variety of ways. Continue reading to find out how you can get the most from your drone.
Is it possible to make money from drone photography?
For photographers trying to make money with drones, the biggest problem is that there aren’t any products that can solve the problems associated with them. This makes it less fun to fly drones if the equipment and software are not of high quality.
There are also insurance and liability concerns, so many photographers prefer to take pictures from the ground. This is a completely new way to capture images, and you might get paid for it.
In the way they capture light, drones look very similar to video cameras. So why not use the same technology to create amazing photos?
Companies are making huge strides towards creating high-quality photos taken from the sky. We've previously discussed DJI and GoPro. But now we're starting to see more and more companies enter the space.
These cameras can be used for aerial photography but are also very useful on the ground. All the major manufacturers are investing heavily to develop their imaging technologies.
You'll soon be able buy a drone capable of taking incredible photos and 4K video. We might already be witnessing this happening. Companies like DJI have been releasing higher-resolution versions of their Phantom series of drones.
DJI recently launched the Inspire 2, a 12-megapixel camera capable of taking photos at 5120x3456 pixels. If you prefer to shoot in RAW format you can capture 8-bit files at 30 frames a second.
It is possible to make money with drone photos.
Which hour is best to photograph drones?
A drone could capture aerial images during sunrise and sunset hours when there isn't much activity on the ground.
Drones are great tools for capturing beautiful photos of landscapes and the sky above them. However, drones may not be allowed to fly at nights so you will miss out on some spectacular views.
To ensure you don't miss out on any potential photo ops, consider flying during sunrise and sunset hours. These times allow for stunning shots of nature and are often more popular because there are fewer cars on roads and fewer people.
You'll find that you can shoot at lower levels of light, which makes it easier for you to take pictures without worrying about overexposing.
You won't need to contend with strong winds, rain or snow. These are all factors that make daylight great for photography with a drone.
But, if you wish to capture nighttime scenes, flying during the moonlit nights is an option. This will offer you a unique view of your cityscape.
Statistics
Homes with aerial images sold 68% faster than homes with standard images. (alexdronephotography.com)
Among the biggest improvements, the Skydio 2+ has over the standard 2 is a 20% longer battery life, longer range if you add the Beacon, and a neat AI video creation tool called Keyframe. (thedronegirl.com)
Here's proof: according to an analysis of FAA drone registration numbers by drone market research and data group Drone Industry Insights, DJI had a 76.8% market share in the U.S. (thedronegirl.com)
Regional & Super Regional Centers pricing per center (400,000+ sq ft) PLACE ORDER (dronebase.com)
60 second video with branding, captions, contact information, and music Strip / Convenience / Neighborhood / Community Centers pricing per center (up to 400,000 sq ft) PLACE ORDER (dronebase.com)
Time-lapses can be made with two types of cameras: DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex), and which are more expensive than point-and shoot digital cameras.
Due to the way light enters the camera, DSLR cameras tend to produce better-quality images. But when shooting video, they aren't ideal because they require manual focus and exposure settings.
It is easier for beginners to use point and shoot cameras such as those made of GoPro. Videos will look grainy because of the lower resolution.
A consumer drone makes the best time-lapse camera. These small flying robots offer a cheaper alternative to professional drones.
A drone is an autonomous remote-controlled aircraft that can fly without the need for human intervention. Quadcopter drones can have multiple propellers, but a drone usually uses one propeller.
Drones can be used to capture cinematic footage from a bird's-eye view. For smooth handheld footage, drones may be outfitted to include a gimbal stabilizer.
Start recording while the drone hovers over your subject to create a time-lapse. If there is no direct sunlight overhead, the sky will appear darker during the shot.
You can adjust both the shutter speed or aperture to get the desired effect. To capture a sunset, you might set the shutter speed at 30 seconds, and open the aperture wide to let in as much natural sunlight as possible.
Night shots can be shot using the opposite approach. To reduce light entering the camera, slow the shutter speed to 1 second and then close the aperture. This produces a bright image that makes details visible.
