Helicopter vs. Drone: Exploring Aerial Photography Options

In the world of aerial photography, photographers are often faced with the decision of choosing between helicopters and drones. While drones have gained popularity in recent years due to their accessibility and cost-effectiveness, there are several unique advantages to shooting from a helicopter that can make it the preferred choice for professional photographers. In this article, I will delve into the key benefits of helicopter aerial photography and discuss why it remains an excellent option for capturing stunning aerial images.

Helicopter Aerial Photography: The Advantages

• Altitude and Range: Unlike drones, helicopters can fly at much higher altitudes and cover greater distances. This allows photographers like myself to capture expansive landscapes, cityscapes, or large events from various perspectives and vantage points that may not be possible with a drone.
• Stability: While high-end drones are equipped with advanced stabilisation systems, helicopters often provide superior stability in the air. This can result in sharper images with reduced motion blur, especially when shooting at slower shutter speeds or with longer lenses.
• Payload Capacity: Helicopters have the capacity to carry heavier camera equipment and multiple cameras with different lenses. This enables photographers to experiment with various focal lengths and gear configurations, achieving a wider variety of shots during a single flight.
• Unrestricted Flight Time: Unlike drones, which are typically limited by battery life, helicopters have longer flight times. This allows photographers to spend more time capturing images, exploring different angles, and waiting for the perfect lighting conditions.
• Access to Restricted Airspace: In many cases, helicopters can obtain permission to enter restricted airspace where drones may be prohibited. This can be particularly advantageous for capturing unique perspectives of landmarks, events, or other locations that are off-limits to drones.
• Safety and Reliability: Helicopters are generally considered more reliable and safer than drones, as they are subject to strict maintenance and operational requirements. This provides photographers with greater peace of mind during aerial shoots.
• Real-Time Collaboration with a Pilot: When shooting from a helicopter, photographers can communicate directly with the pilot to navigate and position the aircraft precisely for the desired shots. This level of control and collaboration is not possible with drones, where the photographer often has to rely on the drone’s autonomous flight capabilities or a separate remote pilot.
• Uninterrupted Image Review: In a helicopter, photographers have the opportunity to review their images in real-time on a larger screen, allowing them to make adjustments and refine their compositions as needed. With drones, image review is typically limited to a small screen on the remote control, which can make it more challenging to assess image quality and make adjustments during the flight.

While drones offer certain advantages in terms of cost, ease of use, and portability, shooting from a helicopter can provide aerial photographers with greater versatility, range, and control over their images. For professionals like myself looking to capture unique and stunning aerial photographs, helicopters remain a popular and viable choice. So the next time you plan an aerial photography project, consider the benefits that a helicopter can offer, and take your photography to new heights.