Vertical Photography - What is it?

This form of Survey Photography or Vertical Photography is still used today although in the civil world it obviously has very different applications.

Vertical photography is therefore taken in a vertical aspect which not only allows a large area to be covered with each image but also allows images to be ‘stitched’ together to create an overlapping mosaic if a very large area is required. Recent advances in image editing software allow this to be done automatically at the touch of a button and are ideal for large Event Photography or Progress Photography where height restrictions apply.

There a many companies within the UK who offer Vertical Photographic services. An accurate vertical image can only be acquired using a vertical cage or camera mount which can either be positioned outside the aircraft or sometimes inside using a hole in the floor.

Cessna aircraft can be equipped with a vertical cage which mechanically slides out of the side baggage door of the aircraft or alternatively forms part of the door. All of these external cage mounts must be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority as airworthy adaptations to the design of the aircraft. Without this paperwork the operator will be flying illegally and may be liable to prosecution.

Usually the cameras are controlled remotely from a laptop within the front of the aircraft, this not only allows remote image capture but also allows full adjustment of all camera settings from within the comfort of the aircraft while undertaking Vertical Photography