BALLOON PHOTOGRAPHY
Hockshots has recently developed a specialization in low-altitude aerial imaging, from 20 feet to about 300 feet (5 to 90 meters). The system employs a camera suspended beneath a custom designed helium balloon, or aerostat. The aerostat is constantly held by a tether to an electric winch on the ground, so is not free-flying. The aerostat is 8 feet in diameter, and carries 250 cubic feet (7 cubic meters) of helium. It is capable of being used in winds of up to 75km/h, though there would have to be some very compelling reason to operate it in winds that strong, as the launching process would be very challenging and unpredictable. For most applications, winds of about 15km/h or less are preferred, as this allows the greatest control over camera position. Early mornings usually have the calmest wind conditions.
Many people have a tremendous interest in aerial photos, especially if the subjects are familiar ones. The aerial perspective adds novelty and appeal, since it is a viewpoint that people seldom get to see. Hockshots' website viewers often express how interesting and informative an aerial perspective is, even with an otherwise relatively mundane subject. A farmer's field at harvest time illustrating the repeated pattern of crop rows, or a downtown intersection full of rush hour traffic, can take on an aura of photographic art when taken from an elevated vantage point, especially when the ambient light is right. The photo above is at the mouth of the Wabi River at Riverside Place.
The camera is remotely operated from a wireless ground station, with full control over the camera's direction of view, tilt and zoom. From the ground, the operator can view on a 7" LCD monitor exactly what the camera is seeing. The system operates in real time, with no discernable time lag. The radio-based live video downlink of the camera's viewfinder uses a separate frequency from the radio link that operates and positions the camera. The ground station is completely self-contained, mobile, and can be operated by a single person.
The helium aerostat camera system can go where others can't! The minimum altitude aircraft can legally fly over populated areas is 1,000 feet, which means aircraft based photography is already at a significant disadvantage to balloon photography. Remote controlled devices such as model helicopters and quadrocopters, which are also being used in some aerial photography applications, are prohibited from flying at all over populated places due to their high frequency of crashing. Typically, no licenses, permits or airspace clearances are required for low-level balloon applications, since the balloon is not free-flying and is not flown at over 300 feet. (The only exception is when doing work in close proximity to an airport.)
Using an inflated helium aerostat, the Hockshots approach keeps the camera a lot closer to the subject than satellite imagery or fly-by's from aircraft. Also, because the aerostat is essentially stationary when the photograph is captured, there is no need to leave extra room in the frame around the subject to account for the inherent uncertainty of trying to tightly frame an image from a moving vehicle. Both of these factors mean that the aerostat based system can achieve much higher quality images, where the subject can fill the frame and there are no "wasted pixels".
For landscape developers needing progress shots of their projects over time, the ability to position the camera in almost exactly the same place for photographs at different stages of the project is an invaluable advantage over traditional aircraft based photography.
Because it can be deployed quickly, you won't have to rely on years-old satellite imagery, or pay the high costs of chartering an expensive fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft. For aircraft based photography, the only alternative to incurring the inherently high costs is to wait until there is enough accumulated demand to spread the costs of a flight out over multiple clients, which could mean waiting months, or even years. Using a tethered aerostat is much more timely and cost effective in meeting all of your aerial photography needs.
Oblique aerial views can be very difficult to obtain with other methods of aerial photography, regardless of the costs incurred. The helium aerostat used by Hockshots allows great control over camera position and view angle relative to the horizon and subject, making it much easier to attain an ideal perspective. Unlike photography from aircraft, this system also allows a much longer time on-site to carefully explore multiple framing and composition options, and to take full advantage of changing or fleeting light conditions. Multiple altitudes can be explored and photographed during a single session.
Real Estate agencies will find that aerial photographs are captivating, and prospective buyers spend more time viewing listings with images taken from that perspective. Low altitude aerial images show properties in the context of their surroundings, and showcase a spacious or well groomed premises to much better advantage than the familiar ground-based view. They increase perceived value and drive traffic to your listings. It is sometimes amazing how little altitude it actually takes to make a significant improvement to the impression of a property that the image creates.
APPLICATIONS
Some applications of low-level aerial photography include:
- Real estate, including commercial, residential, or waterfront cottage,
- Commercial construction projects,
- Agricultural crop damage assessments,
- Environmental studies,
- Land use planning and development,
- Mine site progress and development,
- Outdoor large group photos
(eg. corporate staff photos, weddings)
- Creative business or community promotional images
In addition to the image galleries on Hockshots.com that are devoted exclusively to the aerial perspective, you will see other examples of low-level aerial photography scattered throughout the scenery galleries that were also acquired from the helium aerostat camera platform. Feel free to browse around to get your ideas flowing. I'm sure you will be inspired to think of many other circumstances in which an aerial perspective would be an advantage.
PRICING
Pricing for an aerial photography session varies from job to job, since the scope of every assignment is different. Please call for a customized estimate to suit your specific aerial photography needs. You can reach me during daytime hours at 705-680-0044. Costing is affected by multiple factors, including travel distance to the photo site, urgency, and site specific concerns like the presence of hydro lines or difficult terrain.
Pricing in south Temiskaming typically starts at $250 for the first hour on site, and $60 for each subsequent hour. Because the aerostat is transported in a fully inflated state, the camera can typically be aloft and on-target within about 10 to 15 minutes of arriving on site. Clients may choose to make arrangements with adjacent landowners so that the on-site costs can be shared between them. (Note that the balloon must be brought down about every two hours for a change of radio batteries.)
A selection of 10 full resolution digital images is included in the base pricing. Additional digital images, prints and other photographic products that are not included in the base price can be ordered at any time for up to two years after the photo shoot, and package pricing may be available. To facilitate print and merchandise orders, client galleries will be created on the Hockshots website. Prints can be ordered in many sizes and product configurations from the secure shopping cart on the website. Client galleries can be password protected upon request.