The world is going crazy for drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs for short, have brought about a revolution in the field of photography. Anyone who owns a drone can now shoot stunning pictures and videos which are otherwise inaccessible to them before.
With their cameras and sensors becoming more efficient with each passing day, Drones are Changing Aerial photography has only just begun to change the way we take pictures from above. Here are some of the ways drone camera technology is changing aerial photography as we know it.
In-built intelligent flight systems
Since the day we first saw the DJI Mavic, we were astounded by how small it was. It looked like a toy in comparison to other drones on the market. We were hoping that more manufacturers would come up with their own variants of the tiny quadcopter. But now, all major drone manufacturers are coming up with their own variants of the Mavic.
This is because the intelligent flight systems found in the Mavic have made it one of the most capable drones on the market. It can be flown by anyone who is familiar with a smartphone and has access to the internet. It can automatically recognize its surroundings and avoid obstacles thanks to the advanced sensors in it.
Autonomous sensing platform
The sensors in drones have long been their weak point. They are expensive to produce and are also not available in most consumer drones on the market. All of them are controlled manually by the person flying the drone. But now, with the introduction of autonomous sensing platforms in drones, we can finally do away with the manual operation of the drone.
With the help of autonomous sensing platforms, UAVs are now able to sense and analyse the aerial images they take. They are also able to sense the environment around them, and even detect the humans, animals, and other objects within the frame. The autonomous sensing platform can also function as a data analysis tool. It can be used to create maps and photogrammetry. Then it can be used to create 3D models that can be used in virtual reality, augmented reality, and gaming applications.
Durable and robust materials
Drones have always been known for their light and durable materials. But with the increased demand for higher quality images and videos, manufacturers have been coming up with drones with durable materials. The components of drones are made out of high-grade metals and polymers. These materials are known to be durable and are able to withstand high temperatures.
The highly durable materials and components are also known to withstand electromagnetic interference (EMI). So now, UAVs have become more resilient to external threats. These days, drones are being made with materials like carbon fibre, titanium, and other high-tech materials.
These materials are known to be durable and lightweight. Drones are also made with foldable structures that can be used to store them when they are not in use. In this way, they can be stored conveniently without occupying much space.
Robotic flight control system
Drones have been known to be autopilot systems since their inception. But now, the flight control system in drones has been taken to the next level. The flight control system in the drones of today is more akin to the flight control systems found in planes. It can be likened to a flight director that can keep the drone in a straight line by keeping the yaw, pitch, and roll of the drone in check.
The flight control system can also be used to create and control aerial cinematography shots or video sequences. For example, it can be used to create shots that create a 3D effect or present the environment in a particular way. Now, drone flight control systems are so advanced that they are able to create shots that were previously considered impossible to be captured.
Automated photogrammetry and mapping
Drones with automated photogrammetry and mapping systems are now not just used for creating aerial images. They are also being used for generating 3D models and maps. These days, drones are being used to generate photorealistic images. The cameras in the drones are now more focused on the autofocus feature and auto frame. With the help of the autofocus feature, the images are now able to focus on the objects in the frame and are also able to capture accurate colours.
The photogrammetry and mapping features in the drones can be used to generate 3D models and maps. Drones with automated photogrammetry and mapping systems are now used for generating 3D models of buildings and other structures. They are also being used for capturing accurate maps of the areas where they fly over. The drones with photogrammetry and mapping systems are able to create 3D models of the ground or the buildings with high precision.
6 gimbal-enabled stabilized drones for smooth video recording
All the drones that have been made recently have been equipped with 6 gimbal-enabled stabilization systems. The 6-axis gimbal systems are now being used for the first time in drones. Now, drone cameras are able to achieve six degrees of freedom or 6DOF. What does this mean? This means that the drone is able to move in six dimensions.
It can tilt, pitch, roll, yaw, and move in depth. This is a huge step forward in the field of drone cinematography. It is now possible to capture videos and images that were not possible before. Now, the videos and images that are coming out of the drones are of high quality. The footage from the drones is now smooth and free from jitter.
Conclusion: Drones are Changing Aerial photography
The drone industry is growing at an exponential rate, and the demand for aerial imagery is soaring. At the same time, the cost of acquiring aerial imagery is becoming more expensive. This has prompted the need to come up with better ways to acquire aerial imagery. This is where the cameras in drones are making a difference. Drone cameras are now able to capture high-quality images and videos. This article tries to highlight the ways in which drone camera technology is changing aerial photography. Also, don’t forget to check out 5 Best Applications of Drones in 2023!
