Aerial photography VS Drone photography from my point of view.
I made my first aerial photography 22 years ago for a luxury hotel in Maldives. At the time there was, obviously, no drone imagery. The only way to get aerial images in Maldives was either from a seaplane or a plane. The hotel I had to photograph, in this case Island Hideaway, was too far from Male to rent a seaplane. No choice. The aerial photo shooting had to be done only from a plane : a Dash 8-200. ( click to see the aircraft on De Havilland website.)
Today I am a EASA Licensed Drone Pilot and I must admit that I really enjoy this amazing tool. Drone photography is much easier than from an aircraft, is cheaper and visually stunning but a drone doesn’t replace (yet ?) an helicopter or a plane.
It can not fly that high and doesn’t offer as many zooming options as a photographer can have from an aircraft.
Below, some of my latest drone photography.
Locations : Greece, Maldives and Seychelles.
Aerial photography from aircrafts is challenging but it allows you to capture great aerial images, including high altitude shots.
Aerial photography from Aircrafts
Photographing from aircrafts can present some challenges, but with the right preparation, equipment and a good pilot by your side, it is certainly possible to capture great aerial images. I am able to create aerial photography from commercial planes like the Dash, seaplanes and helicopters.
Shoot from Commercial planes
Contrary to seaplanes, planes such as the Dash 8 do not have the same maneuverability as seaplane compact design allows them to have a smaller turning radius and greater agility in flightare.
Yet, to have what my client wanted, some specific aerial shots of his hotel had to be done and in a very short time ( chartering an airplane is not cheap). I was lucky to be with a very skilled pilot, and together we made a few large turns around the island to get what I wanted without compromising our safety or any rules.
As a general guideline, most commercial aircraft, including the Dash 8, are typically required to maintain a minimum safe altitude of 1,000 feet (305 meters) above ground level during normal operations.
One of the hotel hero shots had to show the all island and the beauty of its surroundings. The below aerial image was captured at a low altitude more than 15 years ago with a Bronica and a Canon.
The below photos are captured from a Dash 8-200 plane.
Aerial view of the entire island shot at a low altitude
Hotel photographed : Island Hideaway, Maldives
My client also asked for an aerial view focusing solely on the villas to show their architecture, location and highlight their privacy. For this particular shot we had to to fly at a much lower altitude.
Aerial photography of the hotel villas captured at a low altitude
Island Hideaway, Maldives
Aerial photography from an helicopter
Making aerial photos from a helicopter is challenging. These aircrafts are extremelly maneuverable but have more vibrations than planes. Helicopters can experience turbulence and gusts of wind, which can impact stability and control. Be prepared for sudden movements and gusts, and secure your camera equipment properly to avoid accidents or damage.
But its speed and agility gives you multiple options as you are able to move fast around the property you need to shoot. Photographing from a helicopter offers distinct advantages over shooting from a plane, providing greater focus on specific locations and ensuring steady captures.
Drones offer flexibility, lower costs, and the ability to fly at lower altitudes, while helicopters provide stability and access to higher altitudes.
Before the flight, it is absolutely crucial that you communicate with the pilot to ensure he/she understands your photography requirements and intentions to avoid loss of time and crucial light.
In Maldives, helicopters are forbidden but are widely used in the Seychelles where I made my first aerial photography from this type of aircraft for a luxury hotel called Fregate Island Private.
Aerial photos shot from an helicopter.
Aerial view of the entire Fregate Island shot from a high altitude
Hotel photographed : Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
Aerial view of the villas captured at a low altitude
Hotel photographed : Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
Aerial view of the hotel spa captured at a low altitude
Hotel photographed : Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
Discover more Spa aerial photography
Silhouette Island Aerial view
location : Seychelles.
Aerial photography from a seaplane
I love photographying from a seaplane. They are incredibly flexible and versatile and allow photography at very low altitudes. A seaplane’s ability to fly at lower altitudes compared to commercial aircrafts ( like the Dash mentioned above ) allows for capturing detailed and dynamic shots. The changing altitude and angles contribute to diverse and captivating perspectives of landscapes, cityscapes, and natural features. They are fast and can have some turbulences but with the right preparation, equipment and a good pilot by your side, it is certainly possible to capture great aerial images. In Maldives I’ve shot most of my aerial images from Twin-Otters, I absolutely love them.
The below photos are captured from seaplanes ( Twin-Otters ) in Maldives
Aerial photography of the entire Maldivian Air Taxi seaplane fleet, shot..from a seaplane from another company.
Location : Maldives
Client : Maldivian Air Taxi
Aerial view of Baa Atoll shot from a seaplane.
Location : Maldives, Baa Atoll
Aerial view of a scorpio shaped island shot from a seaplane.
Location : Maldives
Personal aerial photo projet
Aerial view of the villas captured at a low altitude
Location : Maldives
Client : Maldivian Air Taxi
DRONE photography
Using drones has introduced a whole new world of creative options in my aerial photography. After trying out different aircrafts I really feel the difference, they are easy to handle after getting used to the piloting. Drones allow me to take exciting angles, capture small details, and create wide, breathtaking views. This leads to stunning pictures that display the beauty of the properties or locations I’m photographing like in Maldives and Greece.
The below photos of hotels, villas and landscapes are captured with drones on various locations
Bathe’li overwater restaurant
Hotel photographed : Milaidhoo Island Maldives, luxury resort
Flying above Rethymno. Drone point of view
Luxury water villa drone shot
Hotel photographed : Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, luxury resort
Drone view of a beach in Zakynthos island, Greece
Drone shot of an arrival jetty and house reef in Maldives
Hotel photographed : Kandolhu Maldives, small luxury resort
Aerial view of a hotel villas captured at a low altitude
Hotel photographed : OZEN Life Maldives, luxury Resort
