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By Timothy Butler


Aerial photography is a vital field in the profession of photography. The other term that is used in reference to this profession is airborne imagery. Airborne imagery is the process of taking pictures from a flying object like a drone or airplane. Platforms which are currently used commonly include kites, rockets, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, balloons, pigeons, and parachutes just to point out a few. This is worth knowing about Florida Keys aerial photography.

The photos may be taken by a person aboard the various airborne platforms. However, if the platform cannot be boarded by a human being, then the cameras used are triggered automatically or remotely. Airborne imagery and air to air photography are two different ideas because of the manner in which photos in the two concepts are taken. In air-to-air imagery, photos of airborne platforms such as aircrafts, rockets, balloons among others are taken by another airborne platform.

Photos captured from the air can be grouped in different classes depending on various factors. Photos which are captured from an angle are called oblique pictures. Low oblique photographs is a term that refers to oblique photos which are taken from a low attitude relative to the earth surface. Alternatively, the term high or steep oblique pictures is used to refer to photographs which are captured from a high angle.

Another group of photographs is known as vertical photographs. These are pictures which are captured straight down. Pictures of this kind are generally taken to be utilized for photo interpretation and photogrammetry. Photos which are applied in photogrammetry are typically taken with the use of special cameras of large-format. Cameras of this kind have documented and specially calibrated geometric settings.

Vertical pictures are used in the production of orthophotos. The other term in reference to orthophotos is orthophotomaps. These are images which have been geometrically rectified so that they may be used as maps. To better understand orthophotos, is to look at it as a simulation of snap shots captured from infinite distance, viewing straight down. Perspective is normally removed in the photographs while variations in terrain are rectified.

Aerial imaging is a field which has a long historical background, starting in France. The very first individual to try out the concept of taking pictures from above was called Gaspard-Felix Tournachon. Tournachon was both a photographer and a balloonist. Owing to his profession, Tournachon chose to take images of the floor of the earth from the air. Cameras used by Tournachon were hooked up on balloons which were flown over Paris.

The concept of aerial photography would later increase in popularity following the onset of World War One. The Britons and Germans used cameras attached on planes to spy on enemy troops. Back then, the photos taken were in white and black only. The cameras were of low quality and that limited the altitude at which photos were taken.

Today, airborne imagery is a fully developed field. It finds use in very many industries, including the military, research, aeronautical, film making, music, and recreation among others. Equipment used today is better and safer as well.




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