Oblique, Vertical and Panoramic Aerial Photography - Aerial Photography at an Angle

Whether you work in surveying or real estate, or are a business owner who needs photographs of your own establishment, it is important to know the various angles and techniques aerial photographers can use to get the pictures you need.

In this article, we will discuss three different types of aerial photography: Oblique, Vertical, and Panoramic. Each method will produce a very different result and it is important to choose the method most suited to the situation you want to display.

Oblique Aerial Photography - In oblique-angle aerial photography, the camera is focused at any angle between three degrees from vertical and  the horizon. There are two basic types of oblique: high-angle and low-angle. In high-angle oblique, the apparent horizon is shown, while in low-angle oblique the horizon is not. With high oblique photography, atmospheric haze and clouds often prevent the viewer from seeing the true horizon. The furthest point viewable in high oblique aerial photography is called the apparent horizon.

Vertical Aerial Photography - In vertical angle photography, photos are taken from an aerial platform, either stationary or moving, where the camera axis is truly vertical at the moment of exposure. In photographic terms, a 3-degree variance can occur, after that, it becomes "oblique". The advantage of vertical aerial photography is that the scale is essentially constant. Measurements of directions are easier and generally more accurate than on an oblique photograph. These types of shots often resemble a map as they look straight down and can be used to plot points on land.

Panoramic Aerial Photography - Panoramic photography is achieved by stitching a number of photographs together to form a single "Wide" shot. Panoramic aerial photography can be done using full-sized helicopters, their unmanned counterparts, or pole cams. Pole cams are good for very low altitudes but they are limited to about 100 feet and road access is needed. Full-sized helicopters are the platform of choice for high-altitude panoramas; however new technologies permit unmanned helicopters, coupled with advanced GPS autopilot stabilization systems, to be positioned within a few feet from any elevation or location. This type of aerial photography is perfect for showing views from proposed or under-construction high-rise buildings.

Knowing the different types of aerial photography available can help you get the exact type of photos you need.