Aerial photography considerations

• A. What perspective do you want/need: vertical or oblique imagery?
  1. Vertical Imagery: The image is taken from straight above the target area.  Mills Aviation offers as vertical as possible (AVAP) shots which are an economical substitute.  Unfortunately they cannot be scaled.
  2. Oblique Imagery: The image is taken at an angle not directly over the subject (to one side) and can be adjusted to meet the project requirements.
  

• B. Is the imagery target area urban/developed or rural/undeveloped?
  
• C. What is the size of the imagery target area?
  
• D. Where is the imagery target area located?
  
• E. How are the images going to be used?
  1. Will digital files be required and what format and file size?
  2. Will prints be required and what size?
  
• F. Will the image files require digital manipulation?
  
• G. What is the required delivery date of the project?
  

Note: - Quality images require acceptable atmospheric conditions and may take longer to obtain.

• H. Other things to consider
  1. Seasonal backgrounds
  
• Summer: typically the most requested due to the vibrant green background from the leaves of the trees and the grass.
  
• Fall: due to the area we a located it can be a great time to photograph with the vibrant colors of the different deciduous trees before they fall off for winter.
  
• Winter: a wonderland effect with snow and ice blanketing the landscape. 
  
• Spring: a good time to take photos of buildings or detail that is usually covered up by the trees leaves.  Also requested for pictures while fruit trees or spring flowers are in bloom
  

Conditions:
The best conditions can require a longer timeframe to get high quality images. The following variables can all have an effect on the quality of the imagery:
Time of year – the summer provides long days and times when the sun is nearly directly overhead.  The winter provides short daylight hours and low horizon light which means challenging northern angle photos.
Time of day – light and shadows are very dependent on the time of day so it’s imperative that you think of what angle you would prefer so that the shots can be taken during a time when the light is on that particular angle or face of a building.
Temperature & Humidity – summer provides very good lighting opportunities but with the higher temperatures and combined with humidity it brings haze which can make a good quality image capture challenging.  Typically this can be mitigated by taking the shots early in the morning.
Wind- when things are rocking and rolling up in the air it presents a challenge to get in focus images.  Image stabilization equipment can help but its always best to take pictures on a calm day.
The best conditions can require a longer timeframe to get high quality images so keep that in mind when determining how quickly you will need the photo and schedule accordingly.
All of this information is just to get you thinking about what you really want and to try to help you understand the considerations behind taking the photos.  Overwhelmed?  Don’t be. Give us a call or contact us through email we will gladly walk you through the entire decision making process.