Over the last decade, the popularity of drone photography has soared. Everyone from home movie makers to leading cinematographers now make use of a technology that’s easier to access than ever before and provides spectacular results at a relatively low cost.
At Design102, our licensed drone operators are frequently tasked with taking their machines to the skies. We understand that not everyone will know how drone footage can create impact for their project, so we’ll take you through the ins and outs, and show you some examples.
What is drone footage?
Drone footage refers to video and image captured from aerial perspectives using remote-controlled aerial vehicles. They use high-resolution cameras to provide unique perspectives from heights and angles that are normally inaccessible. This technology helps videographers create compelling content that engages viewers to tell stories with greater impact.
Drone footage has had a big impact on visual media in all kinds of fields, and now our videographers can help government and public sector communications keep up with the times.
Advantages of using drones
In practice, there are several advantages of using drones:
- The images and footage drones can capture from the air would be vastly more expensive to achieve by other means (providing those other means could even capture what is needed).
- Drones are portable and can get into remote or hard-to-reach locations. When it comes to shooting in less than ideal environments for conventional videography, they can be especially useful.
- The agility of the drone allows for dynamic camera movements, including sweeps, pans, and tracking shots. This helps create drama and expression, and when paired with a great script and director, they can transform storytelling.
- Drones can be set up for production very quickly, which saves time and costs. Traditional setups can take many hours of preparation and involve many more people.
- Drones are also versatile in a technical sense because they can be equipped with various types of camera, giving videographers more choice for their shots, and added creative flexibility.
What to consider?
The ease and cost-effective nature of drone videography can lead some people to forget important considerations. Perhaps the most common of these is that there are regulations and restrictions on where drones can be used. It’s important for drone operators to be aware of these limitations, and obtain the necessary approvals before flying in these areas. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in fines and legal consequences which certainly undo the cost-effectiveness benefit. In addition, drones can pose safety risks, so proper consideration must be given to any concerns, and the safety of the general public should be paramount.
The Design102 drones in action
In our own work, among many other things, we’ve used drones to:
- show the scale of operations at the DVSA
- show the huge effort security firms have to go to in order to protect gigantic festivals from terrorist threats, for the Home Office
- represent the use of satellites and space surveillance techniques for protecting infrastructure, for MOD Space Command
- bring an emotive and ambitious feel to the Cabinet Office’s Connections Campaign about food production in the UK
- incorporate a sense of community and citizenship to the Independent Monitoring Authority’s videos highlighting the positive impact they have in upholding citizens’ rights
If you have a video or photography project you need support with, we’ll consider all options to help you meet your objectives. With drones in our kit, and expert operators in our team, we can help you bring creativity and impact to your work.
Watch our drone showreel to get an idea of how we can bring government communication to life.
Design102 is a creative communications agency for government and the public sector. Discover our work at www.design102.co.uk, or contact us at hello@design102.co.uk to find out more.
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