Modern Aerial Photography Art

Before the early 20th century, aerial photography was non-existent. However, the birth of photography and flight were close and merged perfectly thanks to the need for aerial reconnaissance during both World Wars. After that War, this innovation allowed for a new perspective from up in the sky. Instead of just taking pictures from high points like mountains or buildings, it was now possible to take exciting photographs directly from above. This viewpoint introduced a shift in concept where shape, color, line, rhythm, and pattern could be displayed in a more abstract context.

Aerial photography began with airplanes, helicopters, and hot air balloons for scientific, surveillance, and mapping purposes. Art photographers later recognized the appeal of this unconventional camera angle and embraced it. With the introduction of drones to the public, aerial photography has exploded in popularity.

In this blog, I will explore three types of Aerial photography, Oblique, Low-Altitude, and Space, and demonstrate how aerial photography is a form of art that began in the Modern Era after growing away from its military roots.

Oblique Aerial Photography

The oblique perspective of George Steinmetz's aerial photography resembles that of an abstract painter like Jackson Pollock. At first glance, the oblique angle might cause the photograph to be confused for an abstract painting. However, upon closer inspection, the photograph's details become clear, adding to the appeal of this type of photo art.

"Terraced Yuanyang rice fields in Yunnan Province" by George Steinmetz (2017)

In this photograph, taken at an angle, the rice fields pools create a broken reflection of the sky. The terrace walls that divide the pools create curved lines. The pools and the lines make the viewers want to find a pattern, but no pattern can be found. This photograph makes me anxious because it is an oblique shot that I know has depth, but the pools and lines make it look like a flat picture.

"Red Peppers laid out to dry in the desert after harvest near Baicheng, Xinjiang, China" George Steinmetz 2015

This photograph is also taken from an angle. Once again, the angle, with the primary pallet of white and red, creates an illusion of abstract art. The dark red lines in the background and the light red dots in the foreground combine in the middle as if two elements combining. The white negative space outlines the paths where cars and people move. This photograph almost looks painted, but observing the people walking and the blue tarps lets the viewer know it is a photograph.

Low-Altitude Aerial Photography

Low-altitude photography can be considered art because it captures unique perspectives and angles not usually seen from eye level. Photographers can manipulate light, shadow, color, and texture to create an aesthetically pleasing image that evokes emotion and tells a story. I choose the "birds-eye view" perspective for the low-altitude photos to demonstrate how natural lines and colors make for stunning art.

"Lost in a Forrest " by Niaz Uddin (2017)

This photo taken in Oregon features a plane in the middle of a forest. The forest has overgrown the structure along the aircraft's wings and tail. My first thought was, how did that plane get there? And does anyone know the plane is there? The white fuselage of the plane is out of place compared to the green sunlight forest. It is obvious it does not belong, but when captured from the bird'e eye view, it is a cool picture. This is something I would hang in my own house and admire.

"Montana" by Niaz Uddin (2017)

Space

For the final aerial photography section, I choose pictures from Space. Arguably, these pictures do not have a human composer. Voyager 1 did not take the time to frame the pictures, adjust the angle and use technical skills to create the photograph. Instead, NASA pointed the camera at the planet and snapped the picture, hoping to get the first glimpse of a plant or space. But they are works of art, in my opinion. I would gladly hang either photo in my house. In fact, I have these photos as part of my computer's wallpaper.

"Jupiter and Casillo" by Voyager 1 (1979)

The picture of Jupiter taken by Voyager 1 is art because it captures the immense and awe-inspiring beauty of the largest planet in our solar system. The photograph showcases the intricate details of Jupiter's swirling atmosphere, highlighting its unique colors and textures. The Great Red Spot, in particular, draws attention because of its swirling motion that mixes the planet's colors. The technical skill involved in capturing and transmitting the image from a distance of over 400 million miles also adds to its artistic value, making it a remarkable feat of both science and art.

"Pale Blue Dot" by Voyager 1 (1990)

The "Pale Blue Dot" photograph is a piece of art because it captures the profound sense of our place in the universe, as well as the beauty and fragility of our planet. It was taken from a perspective that had never been seen before, revealing a humbling view of Earth as a tiny, pale blue speck in the vastness of space. The photograph has inspired people to think deeply about our connection to the universe and our responsibility to protect our planet, making it a powerful and thought-provoking work of art. Carl Sagen best described how humbling this picture is when he said, "On it, everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."

Conclusion

Aerial photography had its birth as a tool for War, but as this blog post has demonstrated, it grew into a wonderful art form that gave humanity a new perspective in the modern era. From the oblique shots of rice farms to the famous "Pale Blue Dot' aerial photography is not only a device for knowledge but a medium for artistic expression even when it is accidental.

Sources

Sagan, Carl. Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. Random House, 1994.

"Modern Aerial Photography: Drones and Their Impact on the Industry." Commercial UAV News, 6 March 2021, https://www.commercialuavnews.com/security/modern-aerial-photography-drones-and-their-impact-on-the-industry.