The Future of Aerial Imagery: How AI is Shaping Drone Operations and Photography

by UA-Visions | Apr 24, 2024 | Drone Photography, AI, Image Editing

The Future of Aerial Imagery: How AI is Shaping Drone Operations and Photography

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is a game-changer, especially in the realms of drone operations and aerial imagery. This article delves into how AI is transforming these fields, enhancing capabilities, and opening up new opportunities for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Whether you’re a tech aficionado, a professional photographer, or someone curious about the future of drones, you’ll find exciting developments unpacked here.

The Rise of AI in Drones and Photography

Artificial intelligence is not just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool that’s reshaping how cameras and drones operate. From improving image quality to enabling more autonomous operations, AI’s role is pivotal and growing. But what exactly does AI integration look like in these technologies?

Drones and Photography: A robot taking photos accompanied by a drone

Golden Hour, Drones, & Photography

AI-Driven Features in Modern Drones

Autonomous Flight

Harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), modern drones are now pioneering the future of autonomous aerial technology. These drones are not just flying machines; they are intelligent systems capable of executing intricate flight patterns, decision-making in real-time, and adapting to complex environments with little to no human intervention. Their ability to take off, navigate, land, and avoid obstacles autonomously is pivotal for executing tasks that would otherwise be risky or unattainable by human pilots.

As drone technology continues to evolve with AI at the helm, we can expect to see even more sophisticated features. These could include advanced object recognition for finer obstacle detection and evasion, accelerated data processing for real-time mapping results, and seamless integration with various technological ecosystems. AI drone mapping using drones like the Skydio 2 or the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is not just a tool of modern technology; it’s a harbinger of the data-driven operational transformation taking place across industries worldwide.

Real-Time Data Processing

AI enables drones to analyze the data they collect while still in flight. For example, drones used in agriculture can immediately process images of crops to detect signs of disease or drought, providing farmers with instant insights.

Smart Photography

Drones today come with AI-enhanced cameras that can automatically detect and focus on subjects, adjust lighting settings, and even compose shots. These features are particularly useful in dynamic environments where conditions change rapidly.

The AI doesn’t stop there—it also intuitively adjusts camera settings in response to the lighting conditions. From the soft hues of dawn to the harsh midday sun, drones can automatically calibrate their exposure settings to capture the perfect shot every time. This adaptability is crucial in dynamic environments where light and shadows are constantly in flux, allowing for consistent quality without manual intervention.

Transformative AI Applications in Photography

Enhanced Image Processing

AI algorithms are incredibly adept at enhancing images. They can reduce noise, correct lighting, and even restore details that were not visible in the original shot. This leads to higher quality photographs with less manual effort. At UA-Visions we count on Topaz Labs Photo AI. Topaz Labs is a photo editing software company that utilizes AI for image enhancement..

Subject Tracking and Recognition

Cameras now use AI to track moving subjects and maintain focus on them, which is invaluable for sports and wildlife photography. AI can also recognize faces, which helps in portrait photography by adjusting settings for optimal results.

Creative Compositions

AI isn’t just about improving quality; it’s also creative. Perhaps one of the most groundbreaking features of AI-enhanced drone cameras is their ability to compose shots. Using complex algorithms, these cameras can suggest the best angles and compositions, turning every frame into a potential masterpiece. This is particularly beneficial in environments that are in a state of rapid change, such as live events or natural settings, where capturing the essence of the moment is key.

A robot sitting at a computer editing a photo

Editing at the Speed of AI

Futuristic robot standing outside a modern luxury house with a 'For Sale' sign

Industry Applications: Who Benefits the Most?

Film Making

Creative Applications: Filmmaking benefits greatly from AI’s ability to unlock new creative possibilities and streamline workflows. In film making, AI-driven drones are revolutionizing how shots are taken. Check-out our YouTube Channel to see how were putting AI to the test. Drones can autonomously follow action, adjust to lighting conditions, and even participate in creative decision-making, allowing for innovative camera angles and movements that were previously impossible.

AI’s influence on filmmaking is profound. Drones equipped with artificial intelligence can independently track fast-paced action, ensuring that every pivotal moment is captured with high precision. This autonomy in following the subject allows filmmakers to craft scenes that are both dynamic and narratively compelling without losing focus on the main action.

Real Estate

Current Impact: Real Estate currently sees the most widespread adoption of AI photography applications with readily available tools for virtual tours and photo enhancement. In real estate, drones provide not just basic aerial shots but detailed analyses of properties. AI-enhanced imaging can highlight features of a property more effectively, and 3D modeling helps potential buyers visualize spaces better than ever before.

Agriculture

Future Potential: Agriculture has the potential for the most significant long-term impact, with AI leading to increased food production and more sustainable farming practices. Farmers are increasingly relying on AI-equipped drones for more than just basic imaging. These drones monitor crop health, track growth patterns, and even assess crop damage after natural disasters. The immediacy of AI processing allows for quicker responses to agricultural issues.

So…Who Benefits the Most?

Ultimately, all three industries stand to gain significantly from AI in aerial imagery. As the technology continues to develop, we can expect even more innovative applications that will reshape these industries in exciting ways.

As AI technology advances, its potential applications within these industries expand even further, promising to bring about revolutionary changes. The future might see AI in agriculture automating entire farming processes, in filmmaking creating entirely new genres of cinema, and in real estate transforming the way properties are marketed and managed.

It is a time of exciting possibilities, with AI in aerial imagery acting as a catalyst for innovation. Agriculture, filmmaking, and real estate are just the beginning, as the ripple effect of this technology is bound to create waves of transformation across numerous other industries. The full scope of AI’s impact is yet to be realized, but one thing is clear: as AI photography continues to evolve, it will redefine industry standards and propel businesses towards unprecedented levels of efficiency and creativity.

Futuristic view of a large city with robots walking the sidewalks

Is AI going to takeover?

The Future of AI in Drones and Photography

As we look ahead, the potential for AI in drones and aerial imagery only grows. Here are some emerging trends:

Improved Regulatory Compliance

AI-equipped drones can autonomously adjust their flight paths and operations to comply with local regulations, ensuring adherence to legal standards without constant human oversight. This capability is crucial for respecting no-fly zones, adjusting altitude limits, and maintaining privacy by automatically recognizing and blurring sensitive information like faces or license plates in real-time.

As regulations become increasingly intricate, AI’s ability to instantly adapt to legal changes is invaluable, facilitating safer and more compliant drone usage across various industries. This development not only enhances operational safety but also promotes broader, more secure adoption of drone technology.

Ethical AI Use

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, ethical considerations become increasingly important, particularly in the realms of privacy protection and data security. AI-driven devices, which often handle vast amounts of personal data, must ensure that this information is treated with the utmost respect for privacy and in compliance with global data protection laws. Implementing robust security measures and maintaining transparent data policies are essential for preserving public trust and ensuring ethical AI usage.

Furthermore, the growing autonomy of AI systems necessitates the creation of frameworks that ensure decisions made by these technologies are fair, unbiased, and accountable. This involves designing AI algorithms that avoid inherent biases which can lead to discrimination, as well as making AI-driven decisions transparent and understandable to users. Effectively addressing these challenges is vital for fostering a culture of responsibility and ensuring that AI’s integration into society is perceived as a positive and beneficial advancement.

Advanced Collision Avoidance

Future drones are set to become significantly safer and more reliable thanks to advancements in AI technology. With the development of more sophisticated AI algorithms, these drones will be capable of navigating through complex environments, dramatically reducing the risk of collisions. This enhancement is crucial for ensuring safer flights, especially in densely populated or cluttered areas where traditional navigation systems might struggle.

This leap in drone technology not only promises to minimize accidents but also paves the way for broader applications of drones in various sectors. By enabling drones to operate more safely in crowded spaces, these advanced collision avoidance systems will facilitate new uses in urban planning, delivery services, and emergency response scenarios, maximizing the potential of drone technology in everyday life.

Conclusion

Visualize a cityscape in the future, powered by artificial intelligence. Include autonomous vehicles, smart buildings with interactive facades, drones

The integration of AI into drones and photography is revolutionizing these fields, not only enhancing current capabilities but also setting the stage for future innovations that promise to transform entire industries. This advancement is impactful across various sectors, including technology, photography, and fields that benefit from imaging and autonomous flight. AI’s role in these areas is expanding the possibilities for how we capture, analyze, and interact with the world, leading to more sophisticated and efficient applications.

This technological evolution places AI at the forefront of a significant transformation, making it an exhilarating era for those involved in technology, photography, and drone operations. With each technological advancement, new opportunities arise for creative and practical applications, enhancing how we engage with and understand our environment. The ongoing development of AI promises a future where its influence permeates even more aspects of our daily lives and work, heralding a new age of innovation and discovery.

Dive Deeper

For those interested in exploring more about AI in drones and aerial imagery, stay tuned to the latest tech blogs, attend industry conferences, and participate in forums where these advancements are discussed. The future is here, and it’s powered by AI!

Comments

21 Tips on How to Create Better Drone Photos and Video

by UA-Visions | Sep 7, 2022 | Drone Photography, Drone Operations, Image Editing

Creating Better Drone Photos and Video

The increasing availability of drones over the past few years has opened the door for a variety of industries. Specifically for photographers and videographers, drones have made it possible to capture incredible images and footage from places previously only accessible by helicopter.

Before you dive into firing up the brand new DJI Mavic 3 or Mavic Mini Pro, take a look at Drone Flying: 15 Tips on Safe Drone Operations.

Although I have years of experience with drone photography and photography in general, I’ve learned that if you ask the top five photographers in the U.S. what they’re top photography tips would be, you would get five different answers. That’s the thing about photography, much of a photo’s beauty and wonder is in the eye of the beholder. If you noticed, I said ‘much of a photo’s beauty’ not all. There many other aspects that make up a great photo or video and in this article, I will be sharing many tips that will hopefully give you an edge up on how to Create Better Drone Photos and Video.

Just the Tips

Tip# 1 – Point Straight Down

If you’ve ever taken a flight, have you ever found yourself mesmerized looking out of the window to the ground below. This is a great shot that that provides an interesting view when you’re focused on the ground. It’s a perfect example of a shot that provides an interesting perspective that you can only capture with a drone.

Tip# 2 – Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

If you want to get good looking cinematic footage, then you’ll want to make sure that you have smooth stable footage and that means being gentle on your joysticks. If your drone is jerking and looking all over the place, this will quickly become a distraction and your viewers will immediately lose interest. One way to help with keeping your footage slow and steady is to use the tripod mode. Your drone may call it something else but typically there is a function that will slow down all the movement of your drone which in-turn will assist with creating that cinematic footage your after. If your really wanting to tweak your shots, head into the drone settings and you can slow these movements down even more.

Tip# 3 – Be Quick to Create Better Drone Photos

Just the opposite of those cinematic shots, fly as fast as it will go… legally of course. If you have ever watched footage from an fpv drone? I’m sure you’ve noticed how intense some of the shots came be. This is mainly due to the speed at which the drone is moving in relation to the objects around it. The faster you fly in close proximity to the ground or other object gives the viewer a much more dynamic experience. Since most drone owners don’t own fpv drones, to create similar shots, I suggest flying in a straight line as close to the ground or another object as your can using the sport mode. The reason I say straight line is because when you turn on sport mode, it disables all of the sensors.

Tip# 4 – Have a Subject

When you’re shooting your first video, big open landscapes are great but when you can put an object or a person in the frame. This gives you and the viewer much more perspective on the location. Having a subject will also give more visual interest to the photos and videos that you’re creating.

Tip# 5 – Over & Under Exposure

Over exposing is when everything is too bright you in the frame. Try to expose properly so that you have good contrast but you’re not too bright and not too dark. A good tool to use is your histogram which you can find on most drones. Using the histogram, make sure that all of your exposure values are somewhere in the middle. If you expose to bright and parts of your image are super white and blown out, you’re likely not going to be able to recover that. If you bring your footage into your editing software and you try to bring back those highlights, the image is just going to be white.

Tip# 6 – Research Your Location

If you think you have the ideal spot picked out, do this. Pull up Google Maps and see how the location looks from the sky. Look at photos or videos from other creators or other people that are online. It’s a good idea to know as much as possible beforehand so that you can find cool angles to shoot from and ideas on what to shoot when you get there. This way, your not draining all your batteries looking for the perfect composition.

Tip# 7 – Sunrise & Sunset

You’re going to get the best colors and the

best life just as the sun’s coming up and just as the sun’s going down. This time of day you’re also going to get the best looking shadows. You can get big long stretched out shadows that are going to create even more visual interest depending on what it is that you’re filming. When you’re planning your shoots, try to do it closer to sunrise or sunset and that’s gonna instantly make your photos and video look that much better.

Sunrise & Sunset

Tip# 8 – Know Your Why

Have a reason to why you’re filming and what the purpose of you going out to shoot. If you’re going out to tell a story for something like a Vlog, know why. You want to make sure that you get the footage that you need and make sure that you’re not just spending a lot of extra time filming stuff that’s not going to be used. If you’re going out to photograph something specific, do your research like we were talking about earlier and know exactly what you need to be able to capture that shot. Just understanding why you’re going out what it is that you’re trying to capture will help with getting that specific shot for that specific project.

Tip# 9 – Fly Lower & Show Scale

Don’t fly as high as possible. Here in the U.S. there’s a 400 ft. flight restriction, however at 400 feet the primary shots you can get are big open landscapes. Don’t spend all your time up at 400 feet, get down close and you’ll be able to get a variety of shots and some cool different perspectives that you just can’t get with other cameras. Think about going from big open wide shots to right above the tree line and then possibly closer to the object or person. Using an object or subject as visual interest is great if you have a photograph of the epic landscapes and then you put a person in it. You really get a much better sense of the scale of everything that you’re taking a photo of. Using a drone to get these shots along with the use of a subject is a great way to demonstrate how big places really are.

Tip# 10 – Shoot Footage Worth Capturing

Pick interesting locations and go somewhere worth filming, not the same bland locations everyone has seen a thousand times before. If you’re going to take cool photos and videos, then go to places that have a unique look and can get you better looking shots. One thing that I’ve seen over and over, boring drone footage. Find something or somewhere unique and different. If you find a place, pay attention to how the landscape changes and how the shadows will play with the different objects that you’re photographing or taking videos of.

Keep in mind, there’s all kinds of interesting stuff all around us. Just because you’re in a place that doesn’t have access to huge mountains or beaches doesn’t mean you don’t have interesting and unique things to photograph. Having a drone in the sky gives you a lot of opportunity to see things from a different perspective and there’s a lot of interesting things when you look at it from a camera that’s up that high.

Tip# 11 – Look For Shadows

Make it a point to get your drone up and point it straight down. While your there, look for how the shadows are playing with the landscape. You might see something completely unique that you’re not gonna see from the ground. As I mentioned earlier, the impact of these shadows is far greater when you’re right at sunrise when they’re stretched far out.

Tip# 12 – Splitting your Frame

When your shooting straight down or landscapes from above, you can do is split your photo or video in half using what’s in the frame. In another words, using a part of the landscape as your division line to split the frame and then you will have two contrasting elements that are side-by-side giving a visually pleasing effect.

Split Frame

Tip# 13 – Lead the Viewer’s Eyes

Implement the concept of leading lines. This is using lines that are naturally found in the landscape that draws the viewer’s attention to a specific point in your photo or video. So find different lines, whether it is a physical line like a train track or just the way that the landscape is shaped and see if you can draw your viewers eye to one point in the photo or video.

Tip# 14 – Always shoot in RAW

If you are using a DJI drone, you’ll see in the camera settings two choices. I suggest you always shoot in RAW or .DNG if you plan on doing any color grading or editing in general. RAW images contain much more information and accommodate the editing process much better than a compressed JPEG image. If you need quick delivery and you’re not going to be doing anything to your photos, JPEG is perfect. One downside of shooting RAW is that this file type is massive in comparison and can quickly fill a hard drive.

Similar to RAW photos, DJI give you the option to shoot video in D-Log or D-Cinelike. Both D-Log and D-Cinelike will produce similar-looking raw video. Neither will appear to have enough contrast or saturation, and they will appear flat and boring. This is so that video editing software may enhance the color, contrast, and vitality of the clip, which is what both modes are designed to do.

D-Cinelike (Left) vs. D-Log (Right)

D-Cinelike and D-log vary primarily in that D-Cinelike captures a wider spectrum of colors than D-Log. When using D-Log, the color gamut that is collected is much more condensed. D-log, on the other hand, enhances the highlights while keeping the shadows from becoming overly dark.

These two modes have one thing in common: for the greatest results, both must be color graded using your choice of editing software. Both shooting modes are designed to record a lot of information that can subsequently be enhanced using video editing software rather than producing the finished result directly from the micro SD card.

Tip# 15 – Using the Sun

You may have heard to always shoot with the sun to your back. This is not always the case and you can create a starburst effect if you setup the camera correctly. To do this, you need to have a drone that has an aperture built-in. When you close down the aperture to f/11 you can create a starburst looking effect that looks like a star. Again, you need a drone that gives you the ability to change the aperture settings. Otherwise, it creates a bright ‘overexposed’ orbit out in the sky. It’s going to be super bright in comparison to everything else that you’re filming.

Tip# 16 – Freeze Frames

Most major video editing software packages have a functionality that will allow you to freeze a frame from your video footage. This should really be used as a backup. If you want to freeze the action of a frame, increase your shutter speed to create crisp clear images. When you’re shooting a photo with your drone at a low shutter speed, you’re going to see some motion blur in your shot unless it’s something specific that you want to see the blur.

Tip# 17 – Use ND Filters

ND Filters is equivalent to putting sunglasses on your camera and it’s gonna help you bring down your shutter speed to be able to create lots of motion blur in your shot. If you use something like an ND 1000 on footage of the ocean, you could get these really stylistic shots but this is a specific style of photography so you don’t always want to fly with one of these filters on.

Five Photo AEB Shot with a DJI Mavic 3

Merged in Photoshop

Tip# 18 – Bracketing

The bracket feature will allow you to take multiple photographs in quick succession. The camera will take a normal photo and it’s gonna take one brighter and then one darker. If you have a setup to take five shots, it will take two brighter and two darker. One benefit of using bracketing is that if you didn’t nail your exposure the first time, you could use one of the other shots and most likely going to have the proper exposure. Additionally, if you want to create a composite and merge two or more exposures together to create a High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo inside your editing software, bracketing is the way to go.

The above five photos are an example of a five shot bracket. As you can see, each image has a different exposure. The two on the left are much lighter than the two on the right. You can either choose the photo that has the best exposure or import some or all into your preferred editing software and merge them together to create and HDR image. Here we used Adobe Photoshop to merge the five images.

Tip# 19 – Aspect Ratios

Don’t shoot in the 16×9 ratio. You’ll want to make sure that you’re shooting in the 4×3 ratio if you’re drone allows it. This lets you use the full height and width of your camera’s sensor to get the most information into your photo. If you later decide in post processing you want a 16×9 look to your image, you can always crop it down, but you can’t go the other way if you want to go up to 4×3.

Tip# 20 – Composition and the Rule of Thirds

I’m sure you’ve heard of the rule of thirds if you’ve been doing photography for any length of time. The rule of thirds is great at getting your subject aligned in your composition, but don’t always rely on it. The rule of thirds is breaking your image up into quadrants and then putting your subject on one of these lines. The rule of thirds works great especially for putting your horizon on a third or putting a person, but don’t always rely on the rule of thirds. You may find that sometimes you want to just center your subject. This is ‘sometimes’ a very compelling shot when you have a really bold image of a subject centered in the middle of the frame.

Tip# 21 – Simply Put, Practice, Practice, Practice!

Just get out there and try a little of everything. This will help find your style of shooting and get you comfortable with the many techniques used to create great drone footage.

We hope that some if not all of these tips will help you in some way in the future. Feel free to leave a comment or any tips that have helped you.

Thanks for reading and showing your support.

Portrait Photography

Capturing the essence of your personality or event with our professional portrait photography services. Tailored to your unique needs, we offer individual, family, corporate, and lifestyle portraits that truly reflect your individuality and style.

Service Details

Event Photography and Videography

Preserve the magic of your special day with our event photography and videography services. From weddings to corporate events, we offer aerial videos & photos that add a unique perspective to your event memories.

Service Details

Marketing and Advertising Content

Harness the power of video to convey your brand’s message compellingly. Our custom drone videos are crafted to resonate with your audience, driving engagement and fostering conversions through quality video content.

Service Details

Drone Mapping and 3D Modeling

Leverage our advanced drone mapping and 3D modeling services for detailed and accurate visual data. Ideal for construction, real estate, and more, we provide the insights you need to make informed decisions.

Service Details

Experience Our Work WITH VIDEO Visit our Social Pages

Digital Media Services & Drone Imaging | Special Event Digital Media

All our captivating video footage from many of our projects can be found on our social media pages. Dive into a world of mesmerizing digital media services & drone imaging and relive the moments we’ve captured by clicking one of our pages below.

Residential and Commercial Real Estate Services

Showcase your properties in their best light with our aerial photography for real estate. Offering both aerial and ground-level photography, 3D virtual tours, and immersive video tours, we create visuals that attract potential buyers and accelerate sales.

Service Details

Construction Progression and Monitoring

Keep track of your construction projects with our services, offering regular aerial drone inspections to monitor progress, ensure safety compliance, and address issues promptly.

Service Details

Aerial Drone Inspection Services

Our drone inspection services offer a safe and efficient way to inspect hard-to-reach areas. From infrastructure inspections to roof check-ups, we provide the visual data you need to make informed decisions.

Service Details