The Form and Function of Flyover Photography

Aerial Photograph of Dallas Traffic Taken with a Drone Equipped CameraIn our last post, we celebrated D-Squared Studio’s newest acquisition: a camera-equipped drone. While drones have been used in military operations since at least the 1970s, commercial and recreational use of unmanned aerial vehicles has grown over the last few years. Today, we’re going to take a more in depth look at both the practical, business, and artistic potential this innovative photographic technology has to offer.

What are the Artistic Possibilities of Drone Photography?

If we can get artsy-fartsy for a moment, artistic innovation happens when people try to see the world in new ways. Although technology seems diametrically opposed to art, technology is often the very thing that pushes artists to explore and create new visions. Still photography itself revolutionized art a couple of centuries ago while moving pictures revolutionized it again a century ago.

The big question is how can drone technology push the boundaries of the art form? Drone photography provides a completely different perspective on the world, one that allows us to see the physical and human worlds in a completely different way.  In a more pragmatic sense, drone photography – and especially drone videography – makes aerial shots far more accessible than before. For example, whereas filmmakers used to need access to manned aircraft (not to mention huge budgets to match) to get big, sweeping aerial shots, independent filmmakers can now incorporate a sense of the grandiose in their films and documentaries at a fraction of the cost.

What are Some Practical Applications of Drone Photography?

Of course, drone photography also has a range of practical applications, including (but not limited to):

  • Journalism, aerial news photography, or aerial traffic photography
  • Aerial videography for business and non-profits, e.g. aerial video of your next corporate, private, or civic event
  • Inspections of roofs or disaster areas for insurance purposes
  • Flyovers of construction sites for checks of progress
  • Videography or photography of areas too dangerous, too remote, or too expensive for human photographers to visit (like search & rescue efforts in rural or rugged terrain or inspections of offshore drilling sites)

About Your Dallas Professional Photographer:

Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas photography studio for over 20 years. We’d love to discuss how video can play a vital role in your dynamic marketing strategy. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75226. Contact our office at (214)746-6336 or doug.davis@d2studios.net to schedule a consultation.