Photography and Videography
Photography
Our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are able to bridge the gap between handheld ground level photography and higher altitude aircraft photography. There are a number of benefits to the UAV technique, especially when it comes to safety, quality, convenience and practicalities. We are also able to offer a variety of setup options in order to provide bespoke solutions.
High quality imagery
We use high quality professional cameras which can capture photography from a variety of unique angles, including aerial close-ups which are not possible from any other platform. With this technology, we are able to effectively provide both oblique and vertical imagery. Our camera mounts can be controlled around three axes with a precision of +/- 0.05° and unlimited rotation. They are also fully stabilised to allow for complete image steadiness, regardless of the movements of the UAV (for example during flights where the wind is particularly high). Our heavy-lift platforms are capable of carrying payloads of up to 10kg, allowing us to carry cameras which other UAV systems would struggle to lift, such as our Canon 5D MK III.
The versatility of this system means we are able to offer a number of options for photography, from extensive landscape images to close ups. We are also able to offer object tracking and point of interest flying in which the UAV maintains an equal distance around an object or site from each angle. This data can, if carefully managed, be taken into 3D modelling software to create a highly accurate 3D computer model viewable from every angle.
The UAV is a cost effective approach to acquiring aerial photography; entire missions are usually a fraction of the cost of just launching a manned aircraft. Through this technology we are able to achieve rapid, flexible and spontaneous deployments, being less inhibited by space and time. Unlike manned aircraft which may struggle with visibility issues due to flying height restrictions, the UAV is far less affected by such problems, including cloud base, fog and haze.
It is however, not the case that photography gained from UAVs is necessarily better than those from manned aircraft, but they can in fact be complementary to higher altitude vehicles. UAVs are able to gain and offer a unique perspective as they are able to reach places aircraft cannot; they are able to get closer to the object or site, offering a closer evaluation as required and typically capturing images of a higher resolution.
Through these means, we are able to offer more flexibility to our clients, who will be able to have a more immediate influence upon the photos. If a client decides they’d like different photos, such as from further afield or closer up etc., we are able to produce these with very little trouble.
The UAVs are able to take photographs in difficult or potentially hazardous areas. For example, if an area cannot easily be accessed on foot, due to conditions such as marshland, water, traffic congestion or unstable ground, we can use our UAVs to achieve photography with ease and responsibility, without the need to put operatives at risk. Additionally, by the same process we are able to avoid any interference with or damage to a specific site or area, unlike other methods of ground level photography.
Photography through these techniques is more practical and pragmatic, for both us and the client, and also any members of the public working or residing in the specific area. Unlike for ground level surveys, we can gather aerial photographs without impinging upon people, or halting their work or everyday lives.
Images can be captured in a number of formats, which are easily accessible through the most common computers or operating systems. We typically capture raw and jpeg but can adapt based on the client’s needs.
UAV-based aerial photography has infinite uses, and we have so far found this tool to be extremely popular for promotional and marketing purposes, along with environmental or geographical research. It is also an exceptionally powerful and informative tool in the water industry, for purposes such as water course tracing, establishing flood extents and structural inspections.
Videography
Our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are able to provide high quality videography which offers unique advantages when compared to handheld ground level and higher altitude aircraft videography. There are a number of benefits to the UAV technique, especially when it comes to safety, quality, convenience and practicalities. UAVs are extremely flexible videography platforms and therefore we are able to offer multiple options in order to suit your necessary requirements.
Our heavy lift UAVs allow us to use high specification, broadcast quality video cameras which can capture footage from a variety of unique angles, including aerial close-ups and shots which travel from the ground up to altitudes of 400ft in just seconds. The images captured are streamed live to the flight team, allowing us to ensure we are obtaining the perfect footage. Our camera mounts can be controlled around three axes with a precision of +/- 0.050° with unlimited rotation. The mounts are fully stabilised and are controlled independently to the UAV, providing steady imagery throughout the video capture regardless of the movement of the platform.
The UAV is able to acquire video footage from a perspective that other cameras and vehicles cannot. Examples of this include object tracking and fly-throughs, where UAVs can capture aerial video whilst navigating around obstacles, such as through archways or under bridges.
The UAV is a cost effective approach to acquiring aerial videography, with entire operations costing only a fraction of manned aircraft deployment fees. Through this technology we are able to achieve rapid and more spontaneous deployment, being less inhibited by space or time. Unlike manned aircraft, the low altitudes at which we operate means we are far less affected by adverse visibility conditions such as low cloud, fog and haze.
We are able to offer a great deal of flexibility to our clients, who will be able to have a more immediate influence upon the videos. They will be able to direct the flight team to ensure they are getting the exact footage required, for example spanning a larger area or getting closer to the subject, or they are able to control the camera themselves.
Another advantage of using UAVs is their ability to film in difficult areas. This includes areas which cannot easily be accessed on foot, due to conditions such as marshland, water, ground instability, or high volume traffic areas. Additionally, in the same way we are able to avoid any interference with or damage to a specific site or area, unlike other methods of ground level filming. This therefore makes UAV filming more practical and pragmatic, for the client, us, and any other relevant third party, such as people working or living nearby. Therefore, we are able to gather aerial footage without impinging upon them, or halting their work or events.
The footage comes in a number of formats that can easily be accessed through most computers and systems, including .mp4 and .mov.
We have so far found this tool to be extremely popular for promotional and marketing purposes, along with environmental or geographical research. It is also an exceptionally powerful and informative tool in the water industry, for purposes such as water course tracing, establishing flood extents and structural inspections, along with many other uses.
Combined with suitable photography, videography can be especially informative and appreciated for a number of uses. It offers a valuable addition to your data.