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How Drones Have Changed the Commercial Photography Landscape

During the 21st century, drones have become increasingly popular for everything from traffic asand weather monitoring to search and rescue operations. These unmanned aerial vehicles are highly versatile and have been widely adopted by photographers and videographers in recent years. Drone photography has also revolutionized how architects and similar professionals document their projects. In this guide, you’ll learn about using drones for architecture and how they have altered the commercial photography landscape for good.

 

The Emergence of Drone Architecture Photography



Before drones became more widespread, architects would use property sketches and maps with a bird’s eye view to effectively look at a building or property from above. While architects could capture the required photos by taking a short ride on a helicopter, this was an inconvenient solution that took too much time and money.

 

The emergence of drone photography provided architects with a unique opportunity to make significant strides in improving their documentation processes. Because of the compact size of most drones, they’re capable of capturing every detail of a building and all the things that matter when documenting a project.

 

Drones in architecture can move in close to highlight the application of mortar, stone shaping methods, hearths, vents, and doorways. Drone shots can cover all angles, so you don’t need to waste time setting up the perfect shot. Unlike basic drawings, photos capture weather patterns, worn materials, and the exact outlines of shadows. Aerial views that are taken with drones provide more clarity than other solutions can offer.

 

Advantages of Using Drones for Architecture



There are numerous advantages associated with using drones for architecture, which include the following:

 

  • Drones provide versatility by flying practically anywhere and taking many different types of shots.
  • These vehicles are quiet and don’t produce a whirring or buzzing sound.
  • Drones are typically outfitted with the most advanced imaging technology, ensuring you receive pristine, high-resolution photos.
  • The right drones come with a very quick setup process for maximum convenience.
  • Drones can be used in numerous ways when applied to architectural photography.



When using a drone for architectural photography, it can create 3D maps to assist with site planning. It can also highlight a building’s visual orientation to clients throughout the design phase. If you’d like to monitor the progress of your construction project, drones accommodate this application. You can even use drones to obtain high-resolution imagery of the finished project to create superior marketing materials.

 

Drones can effectively display the surroundings of a property or structure from an aerial view. With more traditional tools, you’d be limited in your ability to take relevant photos.

 

Top Drones for Photography



While you can purchase dozens of drones for architectural projects, the top drones for photography are detailed below.

 

DJI Mavic 3



The DJI Mavic 3 is a highly advanced drone with omnidirectional obstacle sensing and the ability to capture 5.1K video. Drone shots are taken with a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera. With just one battery, this drone offers around 46 minutes of flight. It also takes accurate color photos with the inclusion of the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) technology.

 

Along with internal storage of 8GB, the DJI Mavic 3 supports up to 512GB of external storage, which is perfect for larger projects that involve taking high-resolution videos and photos. While it’s the heaviest of the three drones in this guide, it’s still lightweight and can be maneuvered practically anywhere.

 

Autel EVO Lite Plus



The Autel EVO Lite Plus is perfect for architectural photography when the conditions are less than ideal. With the 6K HDR camera, it’s possible to capture detailed imagery in foggy conditions and at night. It will automatically balance underexposure and overexposure to produce high-resolution images. The camera’s aperture is adjustable from f/2.8-f/11.

 

DJI Air 2S



The DJI Air 2S is the ideal photography drone for architects who are looking to capture premium drone shots at a reasonable price. You’ll benefit from 31 minutes of flying time per battery and a max range of 18,500 meters. While flying this drone, you’ll discover that it’s able to bypass obstacles in four directions. It’s also a tiny, lightweight drone that’s more compact than the alternatives.


Here at Aerial Innovations Southeast, we can help elevate your business with our aerial photography and professional drone services. We’re located in the Southeastern U.S. and specialize in delivering detailed aerial images and videos for marketing, construction, and real estate companies. Call us today to learn more about how our drone architecture services can serve your business.

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