Aerial Photography

Aerial photography is a sort of photography that can be described by taking shots of the ground from a higher level. Usually aerial photographs can be taken from flying vehicles or any type of aircraft or man-made device that is able to sustain temporary or permanent flight.

The history of aerial photography begins somewhere in the mid-1800s, when a photographer from France set out to fly over Paris in a hot air balloon. He had a camera with him at the time and took the first photos of Paris from an elevated position. Others followed the example and the first motion picture was shot in the beginning of the 1900s from a similar aircraft.

Since then aerial photography evolved into a much finer form with the increased technological and financial possibilities available to people all over the world. Photographs can be taken from helicopters, blimps, balloons or rockets. Parachutes and gliders also offer a great way of hanging in the air just long enough to take a few brilliant shots of the world under ones feet before landing. Even kites provide a good way of photographing from a higher position.

Commercial airliners and the availability of digital cameras all over for every pocket have made it possible for anyone to take aerial pictures from the cabin of an airplane in mid-flight. Passengers of commercial flights usually take a spot by the window and take a few shots from above the clouds, of the geography of the ground underneath them, of rivers, seas, oceans and cities.

Aerial photography has more than entertaining uses; it has been practiced since World War I for military purposes. A great way to take advantage of this type of photography has always been the making of maps of the globe, of cities, countries and continents. Surveillance and environmental studies are other domains that necessitate aerial photographs, also archeology and conveyancing. Over the last few decades aerial photography has been of great interest in the artistic projects, movies and advertising.