I have been a commercial photographer off and on since the 1970’s. Over the years using film cameras I have had problems with getting my photos to come out the exactly as I “saw” them when shooting the image. Now that digital photography has come about, I am now able make adjustments to the photo and get the look and feel to the image that I really like. I am involved with the whole process from shooting the photo to developing it myself. It has taken time and patience to get the work flow down and the color correction correct, but it has come together. Over the past several years I have attended four intensive workshops to make sure I am up to date with Photoshop and now Lightroom. The classes I have taken with Seth Resnick and Jamie Spritzer from D-65 have taken me where I need to be in this digital world of photography.
Since then, I have taken my photography to the next level by participating in a workshop with Jay Maisel. I thought I had my bar set high until I went to Jay’s workshop; it needed to go much higher. Jay’s passion for his work challenged me not only as a photographer but as a person. Jay provided just the right amount of “encouragement” to go out and really look at the world from a whole new perspective. The workshop was an intense yet supportive dialogue on all things creative through a camera’s aperture. Jay’s experience and talent provided the focus for each participant in the group. In Jay’s critiques, he would bring up at looking at what is going on in the background of your photo. This forced me to look at my subject and how I put it in the frame in a different way. To put it simply, it was a great deal of fun while at the same time rewarding.
The next workshop I attended was the Maine Media Workshop with Arthur Meyerson. The class was titled “Color Of Light”. My experience during Arthur’s “Color Of Light,” workshop was spectacular! The workshop challenged us to ease out of our comfort zones and abandon our familiar habits in order to introduce new ways of shooting our photos. Once we started to realize Arthur’s method of encouraging creativity through fresh ways of thinking, it became more and more enjoyable. We had group critiques that took place everyday after shooting and they reinforced this, as well as brought fresh perspective to our work. The highlight for me was when I had a one-on-one session with Arthur the third day of class. That hour really helped me to see the good, the bad and the ugly of my work. Arthur’s influence has shown me how to elevate the way I see, think about and shoot my photos. Arthur recognizes the personal style and vision of every photographer while he pushes you to try a different approach. Overall, the collective nature of this particular workshop energized me and helped me to visualize my photos in innovative ways. It was the best workshop I have attended and why I am joining him in Cuba this year.
I have taken my photography and video up another step again by adding DJI copters. With the copters I can give my clients a bird-eye view of their landscaping project, property or golf course. This is new, unique and impressive. I believe anyone that is in business today could benefit from the use of this media. Go to Aerial video and photography to see some examples.
DJI S900
S900 – is the newest generation of hex-rotor platform designed for professional aerial photography. With A2 Multi-rotor stabilization controller is a new standard in flight control. Its high performance antenna, low noise anti-interference front-end RF design, accurate position and speed calculating, represent comprehensive technological breakthroughs. The GPS receiver of the A2 GPS-Compass Pro Module is equipped with a new high gain and high performance right-handed circular polarized (RHCP) antenna, the low noise anti-interference front-end RF design.
S900 will be equipped with Zenmuse Gimbal Z15 – The most stable and accurate 3-axis gimbal on the market for commercial application. In the gimbal will be a Sony NEX 7 a full HD video capturing camera. With the retractable landing gear will give a better perspective and a wide range of shooting angles in aerial filming.
DJI S900
- A2 Autopilot with GPS
- Zenmuse Z15 Gimbal
- Sony NEX 7 camera
- DJI iOSD MARK II FPV Module
- Ground Station (monitor and recording) with DJI 5.8 GHz Video Link
- 2.4G Bluetooth Datalink & iPAD Ground Station
- Lightbridge HD digital video downlink
Here are videos using Ground Station software on a iPad. The iPad ground station software, compatible with DJI flight control systems, is a portable mobile control platform designed for BVR (Beyond Visual Range) flight. I make a flight plan on the Ground Station software for these videos. After that I tell the software send the copter on the flight plan, it takes off and does the flight plan and comes back and lands. That is simplified but, that is what it does.
iPad Ground Station
- The iPad ground station software, compatible with DJI flight control systems, is a portable mobile control platform designed for BVR (Beyond-Visual_Range) flight.
- Single waypoint function, lick desired point and go.
- Waypoints function edit a route and go – You can preset and edit flight routes according to real-time flight requirements.
First test flight using the Ground Station on the iPad.
This is a Sunset Country Club using the iPad with Ground Station software to control the S900.
Copter from Troy Built Models