dimanche 24 décembre 2017

The History Behind Aerial Photography Drones

By Elizabeth Hughes


While photographers have been taking pictures since the invention of the camera, photographers now have even more choices when it comes to equipment. In one case, this is the use of Aerial Photography Drones. Most often associated with the military, drones have been around for decades.

For, only recently did businesses and hobbyists begin using unmanned drones to take pictures. While using drones to shoot photography and video is something new, the history behind aerial photography dates back to the mid-late 1800s. In fact, many pictures were taken from the air long before, during and after World War I.

The history of taking photographs of this nature began in 1862 in France. For, the first aspect of aerial photography occurred when a French Artist and Balloonist took a shot of "Nadar, " in 1858 over Paris. As photographs from the time were lost, the earliest photograph of this nature is known as "Boston, as the Eagle and Wild Goose See It, " which was photographed in 1860 by Wallace Black and Samuel Archer King.

Cameras were later attach to kites after E. D. Archibald discovered the flying objects could take pictures form the sky. After which, a number of post cards were created from the camera attached to the kite. Once the method proved successful, Arthur Batut published a book on the methods used in the process in 1890.

Later, Samuel Franklin Cody developed an advanced war kite in which the British War Office became interested. After which, the first aircraft was equipped with a motion picture camera in 1909. The camera was then placed on an aircraft, at which time the camera filmed video shots over Rome, a film which became silent short film known as Wilbur Wright and seine Flugmaschine.

It was shortly before World War when taking pictures of the ground from air became popular. Before that time, while people had knowledge of the activity, most did not approve. Though, after aerial photography became useful in preventing a number deaths, it appears that the activity found more support from the general public.

While there is a great deal of aerial spying still used by all branches of the military, the practice has now found a place in mainstream society. As a result, whether using a camera drone or taking pictures from an airplane, helicopter or hot air balloon, there are now laws which apply to all these areas.

With new laws related to height and locations in which these drones can be used, artists and hobbyists are now more limited. Before sending a drone up into the air with a camera or otherwise, it is important to check all laws and restrictions in the area. For, there are some instances that when flying within a range of a specific airport, building or location, that doing so could be considered a misdemeanor or felony, at least in the United States.




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