What is Elevated photography?

Elevated photography is the process of taking aerial photos using a telescoping pole or mast, or other aerial or elevated support systems, to emulate aerial photographs, or video, taken from a commercially licensed aircraft.

In some ways, elevated photography is more flexible than imagery taken from a commercial aircraft, or an orbiting satellite, in that it is capable of getting highly detailed images, from a birds eye view. This method allows for image collection that offers synoptic timelines - making this process a useful tool for construction management, litigation, accident investigation, real estate promotion and much more.

The price and flexibility of elevated imaging is generally quite reasonable, and it includes varying degrees of compatibility with related engineering-quality software. Because it does not involve the use of a manned commercial aircraft, the overhead and costs associated with elevated photography should be much lower.

Elevated photography has been around for a few years; however, it is still relatively new in the United States and United Kingdom, but the concept of obtaining aerial images is not. Used extensively in areas outside the United States, it can be used in a variety of ways, but it serves as the link between getting a less than satisfying aerial image or becomes the next 'step up' from ground-level hand-held imagery.