Pre-Shoot Planning:
Before the shoot, discuss with your drone photographer the specific architectural features you want to highlight. Provide a descriptive brief that outlines your vision, including key angles and elements of the property.
Use this list to start the process:
- Camera Lens: (e.g. 24 -35 mm)
- Camera height: (e.g. 25m Above X Street)
- Center of Image: (e.g. NW Corner of L3 Balcony, Building 1 & show on plan)
- Camera angle: (e.g. 45° to Front Facade)
- Sun angle or time. (eg. 5:30 pm low angle)
- Background or views beyond. (eg. Show CBD top 1/3 of frame)
- Size: 4K is Perfect. The minimum is Full HD.
- Share an example image from Instagram or Pinterest.
Understand the Legalities:
Ensure your drone photographer knows and adheres to ALL local regulations and airspace restrictions (CASA approval). Compliance is crucial for legal and safety reasons, especially in urban or densely populated areas.
Optimal Lighting Conditions:
Schedule the shoot when natural lighting best accentuates the architectural features. Golden hours, just after sunrise or before sunset, often provide the most flattering light, creating visual depth and warmth in the images.
Seasonal Considerations:
Consider the season and weather conditions. Different seasons can provide unique perspectives and backgrounds for your architectural subject, enhancing its appeal. Winter quite often opens up tree-lined streets or dark spaces when deciduous trees drop their leaves.
High-Resolution Equipment:
Confirm that your photographer uses high-resolution cameras capable of capturing detailed images. The quality of the drone’s camera is critical for producing sharp, clear architectural photos.
Multiple Angles and Elevations:
Request a variety of shots from different heights and angles to capture the full essence of the architecture. A diverse set of images provides more options for showcasing the property's best features.
Post-Processing Skills:
Confirm your Drone photographer is skilled in post-processing. Professional editing can significantly enhance the final images, correcting lighting issues, and highlighting architectural details or your 3D render company can look after it when merging the 3D scene with the Photographs.
Property Preparation:
Make sure the property is well-prepared and staged for the shoot. This includes cleaning, landscaping, and possibly staging outdoor furniture or other elements to enhance the property's appeal.
Communication and Feedback:
Maintain open communication with your photographer throughout the process.
It does help to be on site during the shoot or a quick call and email. Provide feedback on initial shots to ensure the final images align with your expectations and needs. This collaborative approach can significantly improve the outcome of the shoot.
Bonus Tips:
- Request 2-3 "F-Stops" for greater image colour range
- Make sure the Drone Operator is using a good quality Drone. A Hobby Drone won't capture images worthy of your project. Its worth paying the extra
- Ask to capture a video - flying around the site - your 3D render company will make good use of it. :-)
- Ideally, shoot with little to no wind, this reduces motion blur. (blurry photos)
- When creating Panoramas, ensure a minimal 30% overlap. This gives Photoshop or Affinity Photo2 an excellent buffer to stitch the photos.
- Want the best conditions for a photoshoot? A few hours and up to a day after rain clears the atmosphere for crystal clear views to the horizon.
- Double check site access and permissions with neigbours.
- In Spring, be mindful of nesting Magpies. They love to swoop or attack drones.
We hope you get something out of this, some of these tips have come from the obvious, actual projects and mistakes. #ludastudios, #ludaspace.
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