Photographers who have taken the time to fully understand their gear are always investigating new ways of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.  Photographic technology is growing exponentially, but the best in the business know that new technology means nothing without the core knowledge of light, timing, and framing.  In the examples above, photographer, Paul Freeman captures not just a time and a place, but an atmosphere and mood.  In the world of real estate, he introduces onlookers to envelop themselves in the photographs which evoke a comforting emotional state.  Here, a strong understanding of visual aesthetics, natural and artificial light, cropping/framing, and how to make use of the environment all combine to produce extremely compelling photos.

Moving beyond these skills, new technological advancements allow photographers to grow in a number of different directions.  In previous posts, I wrote about pole aerial photography (PAP), and radio-controlled aerial photography as a means of capturing images that go beyond the capabilities of a traditional, camera-in-hand setup.  In addition to those methods, balloon-aerial photography is also gaining popularity as an affordable alternative to hiring a personal aircraft to fly over large acreages and commercial lots.

The samples above were taken by Jay Groccia, an innovative photographer who offers both pole aerial (mast) and balloon aerial photos, as well as panoramic, VR tours.  He uses equipment produced by the appropriately named, Aerial Products Corporation – a company who makes balloons, blimps, and masts for aerial imaging purposes.  The setup for balloon/blimp aerial is pretty advanced stuff involving a motorized camera dock, remote camera control, and a specialized balloon – and these are no birthday party balloons.

The balloons are designed specifically for imaging specialists, and are engineered to accommodate for wind and weight to increase stability.  Their products can elevate cameras up to 1000 feet in the air.

Another great example of high quality photography being merged with new technology is the Australian company, Pixelcase.  They provide some of the sharpest looking 360-degree, virtual tours I have ever seen.  On top of that, they’ve also effectively merged pole aerial photography with equirectangular-based, VR tours.  If you’re not sure what I’m talking about check out this sample – the initial shot introduces viewers to the surrounding neighborhood, while the collapsible floorplan allows users to navigate inside the house.  The images themselves are clean, bright, and sharp.

Other samples from their portfolio, like this one from JHY Realty, also incorporate slick-looking .pdf links that provide additional listing information.  I like.  Lastly, the VR tour of New York city taken from a helicopter has to be my favorite.

The amount of time, science, engineering, and development that goes into concepts like these is astounding.  None of these technologies are “overnighters” – many take years to fully develop.  Furthermore, once built, the products are relatively useless unless you have someone on board who has a wealth of photographic knowledge, and the ability to produce high-quality, raw visuals.  Although these instruments are used for an array of purposes, real estate continues to be one of the driving factors that fuels production.  Where can we possibly go next?