Aerial Photography: Digital Options?

[leeleungweislow]

I am working on an engineering design project and I have an interest in aerial photography. I have to know though if this is worthwhile pursuing. If it is, I'm hoping to share the benefits with all the forum members if I can!

So, would you be interested in aerial photography if there was a portable AND consumer-available option? Probably around or under $100 for a baseline model.

Are there solutions to this already? I know lots of people have been working on this, but I have yet to come across a solution both portable and fairly cheap.

Thanks for your help!

 

[skieur]

Sorry but your post is as clear as mud. I have done aerial photography in an open cockpit airplane. What "options", "solutions" "model" are you talking about?

skieur

 

[leeleungweislow]

I am talking about a way to take aerial photos in which you DO NOT need to head up in the sky yourself. I am working on a remote controlled solution that would fit in the trunk of your car, sort of like a remote control helicopter with camera attached. I was thinking of maybe reaching altitudes of 50 to 100 feet for the prototype with a digital feed so you can view the image you want to take without flying up yourself.

 

[runnah]

It's tricky. My company uses aerial photographer to take photos of large construction project so normally the planes/helicopters are up around 500-1000ft.

Your best bet would be to go after the wedding crowd or smaller scale shoots.

 

[Railphotog]

Saw an ad last week from an area auto/mechanical/whatever store for a remote control helicopter with built in digital camera for $69.00. Imagine its pretty basic, but they area already out there.

I took many aerial photos from helicopters during my years with the Canadian Coast Guard.

 

[KmH]

Yep it's been done and solutions range from the $69 variety and up, depending on the weight of the camera (sill or video) one needs to use.

 

[Rhoads238]

Yup they already have it. One model is called air drone or something like that. You fly it with an ipad and it shoots back live video. I believe it can also take stills as well. So what you need to figure out is how to fly a dslr. You could probably attach some helicopter blades to the hot shoe. Just remember to take them off before shooting stills through the view finder or you will end up with a real neat haircut