Aerial photography

Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground while not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by an active photographer, or triggered remotely or automatically. Vehicles for aerial photography include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters; balloons, blimps and dirigibles; and rockets. kites can also be made into platforms, as can skydivers.

Aerial photography was first practiced by the French photographer and balloonist Nadar in 1858 over Paris, France. The use of aerial photography for military purposes was expanded during World War I by aviators such as Fred Zinn.

Aerial photography is used in cartography (particularly in photogrammetric surveys, which are often the basis for topographic maps), land-use planning, archeology, movie production, environmental studies, espionage, commercial advertising, conveyancing, and other fields. In the United States, aerial photographs are analyzed in preparation of many Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for real property analysis. Aerial photos are often processed by a GIS system.

Advances in radio controlled models has made it possible for radio controlled model aircraft to conduct low-altitude aerial photography. This has benefited real-estate advertising, where commercial and residential properties are the photographic subject. Full-size, manned aircraft are prohibited from low flyovers of populated locations. Miniature-size model aircraft offer full photographic access to these previously restricted areas. Miniature vehicles do not replace full-size aircraft, as full-size aircraft are capable of longer flight-times, higher altitudes, and greater equipment payloads.

Because anything capable of being viewed from a public space is considered outside the realm of privacy in the United States, aerial photography may legally document features and occurrences on private property.

For amateurs without a pilot license aerial photographs can be made using an Astrocam or an Oracle model rocket.