Photography as we all know is considered the most creative forms of art which makes it the most sought after professions of today. It is the art of capturing live moments through a camera. Aerial photography is another type of photography among many.

1. Nikon India Private Limited
http://www.nikonschool.in Plot No.71, Sec 32,
Phone: 1800-102-7346 Institutional Area, Gurgaon
Fax: 0124 4688527 Haryana – 122001
Email: Nikon.school@nikon.com
What is Aerial Photography All About?
Aerial photography, as the name suggests is the method of capturing images from the air.
Photographs taken vertically from a height usually with the help of a fixed-winged aircraft,
balloons, rockets, stand-alone telescoping etc. using a highly accurate camera, are known as
aerial shots. Cameras that are mounted are either operated through remotes or kept for automatic
trigger.
Traditionally, Aerial photography was used for examining or exploring land features. However, it
is today has become one of the different genres of photography and is used for various purposes.
Since it requires a camera that has a very high ISO range, DSLR photography is considered the
most suitable for it.
Few basics of Aerial photography

2. Nikon India Private Limited
http://www.nikonschool.in Plot No.71, Sec 32,
Phone: 1800-102-7346 Institutional Area, Gurgaon
Fax: 0124 4688527 Haryana – 122001
Email: Nikon.school@nikon.com
Large Scale
The concept of large scale in aerial photography refers to the images that usually cover smaller
areas but in greater details. Greater details imply that, the objects and features of the ground
appear larger and detailed in view. Whereas, the area that is covered by ground is smaller in
scale.
Small Scale
The concept of small scale aerial photography however, is just the opposite of large scale. The
smaller scale covers larger areas without much focusing on the details. The other features and
objects of the ground are kept at a less focused and detailed size. The area that is covered by the
ground is greater in small scale as compared to the large.
Fiducial Marks
The Fiducial marks are small marks of registration that are exposed on the boundaries of an
aerial image. The calibration of the camera measures the distance between each of the fiducial
marks. A cartographer makes use of the information of the distance between each fiducial marks
after the compilation of a topographic map.
Stereoscopic Coverage
The stereoscopic coverage refers to the three-dimensional view that takes place when the two
images that are overlapping known as Stereo Pair is viewed with the help of a stereoscope. The
interesting part of the stereo pair being the view of the same area in different photographs
appearing different, which is later interpreted and combined as a 3-D view by the brain.

3. Nikon India Private Limited
http://www.nikonschool.in Plot No.71, Sec 32,
Phone: 1800-102-7346 Institutional Area, Gurgaon
Fax: 0124 4688527 Haryana – 122001
Email: Nikon.school@nikon.com
Roll and Photo Numbers
Each of the Aerial images are assigned a unique index number of their own according to the
image's frame and roll. The number helps in detecting the image later on in the NAPL's
collection of records along with all the information regarding the image such as date, time, the
altitude of the aircraft, condition of the weather and also the camera's focal length.
The introduction of Aerial photography is of a great advantage, as it makes it possible for us to
get a distinctive view of an area and its surroundings in particular, it helps capture the entire view
of any particular event that can be used as media releases, promotional material and so on. It has
been put into practice for over a century, especially in the field of research and archaeology.
Many photography courses in India are encouraging beginners for taking up Aerial
photography as a career.