Drone Photography SA

Hey Guys

With CASA looking to relax rules around drone operation for commercial, I'm looking to start putting together a portfolio of pictures for an eventual move into the industry. I have been flying drones for over a year now for recreation and my partner is an photographer and editor. It seems that with the overheads shrinking, this opportunity is more realistic for the solo operator.

Long story short, I am looking to do some free work for anyone willing to give me a chance to photograph their properties. All I ask in return is that you give us some constructive criticism and a little patience as I dodge trees and swear at my remote control. I would also need permission to use the pics taken in a public portfolio.

Once I have some hours under my belt, I can review my results and work out if its viable to take the next steps.

If your keen, I'm keen.

 

Hi Liam

We recently bought a 1925 character home by the beach and potentially looking at doing an upstairs extension if it gives sea views.

Do you think you'd be able to get the drone up to take a look at the roof and also out to the beach to see if views are unobstructed?

 

Currently flying a Phantom 4, I can precisely pinpoint the height of the drone within a foot of accuracy thanks to GPS and Sonar Tech.

It would be my pleasure DT, we might sneak in some birds-eye pics encase you need them for planning down the line rather then rely on google maps.

 

We have a few coming up that need marketing too. Happy to give you a shout out on social media

 

Yeah let's do it Xenia.

 

Do you mind posting some photos here when you get it done, i would love to see them.

 

Of course.

 

Liam
Email me, details below

 

@Liam blander are you still doing drone photography?

 

These drones are amazing.

On the flip side I can see bad people using drones for terrorist acts so I'm sure the use of drones will more heavily regulated in the future.

 

Like the United States Military.

 

I took my DJI drones with me when I visited Sydney last year. I was very impressed with the new CASA regs, especially for light commercial self-certification. I signed up online even though I don't need it at the moment.

Other countries would do well to implement drone regs based on the current CASA onces and I said so very explicitly when responding to a consultation in the UK earlier this year - we have bizarre and stupid rules.

Some of the footage I've seen of properties online have impressed me but a lot hasn't. Speaking from a critical semi-pro photographer viewpoint was the sudden jumps in white balance and exposure through an edited reel. While the raw footage may be great, the typically one-man-band pilot/producer needs to spend much more time getting skilled up on editing. Note that I am no good at that aspect yet either, just saying...

 

The CASA rules require ALL commercial operators to hold a license and apply for flight approval in each and every required instance. ANY photo or video which involve a fee or even use of youtube or a web image is considered commercial regardless of height proximity, overflight or other rules.

I had a PPL and surrendurered it when I developed a colour blindness issue. I considered a PPL with CASA approval for a UAV (DJIMavic Pro) and gave the idea away - I could pass the test but when the insurance and approval process was included its very onerous . You cant take off and overfly a house for example no night flight and one compaint = loss of license without any appeal process. One bitchy neigbour is dust. The requirement to log and seek flight approval is VERY VERY complex

 

Basic video skills are still a requirement and the skills required are akin to a hollywood producer. The movie recording issues themselves are basic as its quite simple but its the 3D aspects of the video platform that make transition to a commercial video or photo image difficult. The Mavic camera takes stunning images with pure stability BUT unless the user considers themselves a producer the standards for video are fairly ordinary. Angles, lightig direction (is that the sun ?) make framing images difficult from a FPV screen. Photos are a different issue as the 30fps means a limitless range of stunning HD pics BUT without framing and angles being considered it can look alot like a descent onto mars or a orbit around a suburb

 

That said for the hobbiest a UAV within the relaxed rules is simple. Many modern UAVs can be acquired from $2000 and are VERY easy to fly with 1hr practice (4 sessions). That said its easy to destroy too if you race ahead and want a sports drone. 60kmph is acheivable - Into a tree.

 

Sub 2kg UAV's such as the Mavic don't need a licence for commercial work, pilot only needs an ARN and inform CASA 5 business days beforehand.

 

Commercial unmanned flight - remotely piloted aircraft under 2kg | Civil Aviation Safety Authority