Mike Butler – Architectural Photographer

Drone Photography – The Rundown

Drones are becoming more and more popular in the world, especially for drone photography. The cameras on drones are getting better and better, and the results can be stunning. Photographers are finding new and innovative ways to use drones to capture images that wouldn’t be possible any other way.

Drones have been around for centuries (more on this later!), but it wasn’t until recently that they started to be used more often by civilians. The first drones were actually created for military purposes, and it wasn’t until the 21st century that they became more widely available to the public.

As the technology improved, photographers began to find new and innovative ways to use drones to capture images that wouldn’t be possible any other way. For example, by attaching a GoPro camera to a drone, photographers are able to get aerial shots that would otherwise be impossible to get.

Drones are also being used more and more for commercial photography. businesses are starting to use drones to take aerial shots of their products or services. This is a great way to get unique and eye-catching photos that will help them stand out from the competition.

So, what’s next for drone photography? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for sure: it’s an exciting time to be a photographer!

Birds Eye Drone Photography

What are drones and how do they work

A drone, originally (and still referred to in the military as) an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), is a device that is used to fly without a human pilot on board. Drones can be used for a variety of purposes, including military, commercial and civilian applications.

How drones work is actually quite simple. The drone is controlled by a remote control, which sends commands to the drone’s onboard computer. The computer then translates these commands into actions, such as moving the drone forward or turning it to the left. The mechanics of how drones fly are quite similar to how traditional helictopers fly. Drones use rotors to lift themselves off the ground and propel themselves through the air.

Drones are becoming increasingly popular for photography, especially aerial shots. The cameras on drones are getting better and better, and the results can be stunning. Photographers are finding new and innovative ways to use drones to capture images that wouldn’t be possible any other way.

RCL Navigator of the Seas

The history of drones

Remember earlier when I said drones have been used for centuries? The first drones were used in the early 1800s for military purposes. They were originally designed to be used for target practice, and they were quite large and unwieldy. It wasn’t until 1849 when Venice rebelled against the Austrian Empire that they were used in warfare – Austria launched hot air balloons loaded with explosives at Venice from the USS Vulcano.

The first quadcopter designs (which drones almost exclusively use) were made in 1907 by the Bréguet brothers and professor Charles Richet.

The first military drones were used in earnest during World War I, and they were called “flying bombs.” These were basically unmanned planes that were loaded with explosives and then flown into enemy territory. They weren’t very accurate, but they caused a lot of damage. Like much of World War I, it was just indiscriminate destruction.

Intelligent drones were first used extensively in warfare during the Vietnam War. They were used for a variety of purposes, including reconnaissance and bombing missions. After the war, drone technology continued to be developed for military use.

It wasn’t until the 21st century that drones started to become more widely available to civilians. The technology was finally becoming small enough and sophisticated enough to be useful for non-military applications.

Del Corazon Drone Photography by Mike Butler

How drones started being used by civilians

As the technology continued to develop, civilians started finding many uses for drones. For example, farmers began using drones to help them with crop mapping. By flying a drone over their fields, they could create a map that showed where the crops were doing well and where they needed more attention. Then you have many delivery companies using drones to deliver their packages.

The main usage for them in the wider community however was for photography and filmmaking. Drones with cameras attached to them were used to get shots that would otherwise be impossible to get. This was especially true for aerial shots. Drones could get shots of things like sunsets or mountains that would otherwise be very difficult (or even impossible) to photograph.

Drones are also being used more and more for commercial photography. businesses are starting to use drones to take aerial photos of their properties. This is especially useful for things like real estate photography. By using a drone, businesses can get a bird’s eye view of their property, which can be very helpful in terms of marketing and selling the property.

Casa Nublada Drone Phtography

How drones are being used for photography

As I mentioned before, drones are being used more and more for photography. The cameras on drones are getting better and better, and the results can be stunning. Photographers are finding new and innovative ways to use drones to capture images that wouldn’t be possible any other way.

One of the best things about drone photography is that it gives you a completely different perspective. You’re no longer limited by what you can see from the ground. With a drone, you can fly up high and get a completely different view of things. This can be very helpful in terms of getting unique shots.

Drones are being used for all sorts of photography, including landscape, wedding, event, real estate, and product photography. They provide a unique perspective that wouldn’t be possible any other way.

Aerial shots are becoming increasingly popular, and drones are the perfect way to get them. You can get great views of landmarks, sunsets, mountain ranges – anything really! – that you couldn’t get any other way.

Edition: Mike Butler - The Edition

How to get started in drone photography

If you’re interested in trying drone photography, there are a few things you should know before you get started. First of all, you’ll need to make sure you have a good understanding of the drone laws in your area. There are strict regulations about where you can and can’t fly drones, so it’s important to be familiar with the rules before you take off.

You’ll also need to invest in a good quality drone. Cheap drones might be tempting, but they probably won’t take great photos and they might not be very reliable. They could break down quite easily, they could lose signal and lose control of their altitude or worse, just zoom off into the distance! Do your research and invest in a drone that’s going to meet your needs.

Finally, practice, practice, practice! It takes a lot of practice to get good at flying drones and taking photos with them. The more you practice, the better your results will be.

Commercial Drone Photography

Tips for taking great drone photos

Now that you know the basics of drone photography, here are a few tips to help you take even better photos:

– Plan your shots in advance. It’s important to think about what you want to capture before you take off. Having a plan will help you get the best possible results.

– Pay attention to the lighting. Lighting is everything in photography, and it’s especially important when you’re taking aerial shots as it’s very difficult to control the lighting for a drone shot (though not impossible)! The time of day and the position of the sun can make a big difference in your photos, so plan accordingly.

– Use manual settings. If your drone has manual settings, use them! This will give you more control over the final results.

– Edit your photos. Once you’ve taken your photos, don’t be afraid to edit them to perfection. There’s no shame in using editing software to make your photos look their best.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to start taking stunning drone photos! Get out there and start exploring the world from a whole new perspective.

The future of drone photography

As technology improves, drones are only going to get better and better. The cameras are getting more sophisticated, and new features are being added all the time. We’re even starting to see things like obstacle avoidance and GPS tracking, which means that drones are becoming more and more user-friendly.

The possibilities for drone photography are endless. We’re only just beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible. As drone technology continues to improve, we can expect to see even more amazing photos taken from drones in the future, so it’s probably best to start using them now and get ahead of the curve!

Need My Photography Skills?

I have decades of experience in photography and have been hired all over the world for a range of drone, hospitality, architectural and resort photography. If you want to give your marketing a new, fresh and eye-catching look, get in touch with me and let’s start working together!

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