12 Shares 0



12

0







While the word "drone" can bring to mind a dark picture of deadly, unmanned wartime aircraft causing collateral damage to human beings on the ground, an event held over the weekend in Salem, Oregon, reminded people that the term "drone" equally applies to one of the most advanced aerial photo platforms ever created. The Reed Opera House hosted the first ever drone photo exhibit, "Drone's Eye View" Saturday, and those who attended the event were treated to a stunning array of photos and video, as well as a chance to talk to the pilots and photographers who are taking advantage of this amazing new airborne technology. The helicopters use electric power to fly and satellite technology to stay aloft.

See the photo gallery here.

The poster for the drone photo exhibit explains that they are called Photo Drones, Quad Copters, Flying Cameras or UAV's (Unmanned aerial vehicle), adding, "Drones have been seen recently hovering over the Oregon State Capitol, Willamette University, the coast and light houses documenting a Guinness Book of World Records attempt."

In spite of how many headlines they make, it isn't every day that we get to see these new quiet battery powered aircraft up close. Those who attended the exhibit were able to both see the drones and talk to three enthusiasts who are taking these machines into the sky every chance they get. They stressed the importance of complying with emerging laws regarding drone aircraft and while they fly as often as possible, they also keep an eye on political developments. It's a sport that is somewhat pricey to enter, and requires a great deal of skill to keep several thousand dollars' worth of drone from slamming into the ground, and that does happen.

Ron Cooper spent his career as a news photojournalist with the Statesman Journal newspaper in Salem. Today he snaps and records mind boggling photos from the sky. He explains that doing this job requires multiple hands and minds. "Just because the technology is so new and you don't want to crash it, it helps to have a second operator. Occasionally, I am in a place where I fly near a crowd, and we never fly directly over people, but when I am near a crowd we use three people, so we have one on the ground observing the ground, one to fly the quad copter, and one to take photos."

Devin Fadenrecht is another career photojournalist who fell for the quad copter. He has plenty to think about while flying the remote control aircraft. "I'm making sure that we have good battery life, that we are in a safe area, no power lines, we're keeping it under four hundred feet which is our regulation and I'm looking for birds and different things, aircraft, I make sure it stays up."

The drone photo exhibit was the brainchild of Rebecca Courtney, Vice President of the historic, 1870 Reed Opera House in Salem. She says it is exciting to provide a place for the pilots and photographers to show off their work. She partnered with Patrick Ireland's technology company, Badgers and Jam. Ireland supplied a massive television capable of showing the dazzling drone video at 4K (Ultra HD), in addition to his fascinating 3d printer. "I don't fly one of these things," Ireland said, adding, "...but I could sure see doing it someday!" As a serious tech pro, Pat 'PK' Ireland raved about the ability of the radio controlled helicopter drones, "I just can't believe the quality of the video, and how still the frame is while these drones are hundreds of feet in the air." His massive TV displayed footage of a fireworks display from the 4th of July recorded by the exhibitors. The colors and picture quality were captivating, riveting and spectacular.

Technological Advances

For many years, land based pilots struggled to develop and fly R/C aircraft capable of supplying aerial photography. Flight times were limited until recent years, and like full size helicopters, it takes the right design to not bounce constantly, nearly preventing smooth photography. Those problems are now in the past though, as the quad copter design provides a smooth platform where a variety of different cameras can be utilized, Fadenrecht explained. "They have a lot more power, when I first started flying R/C planes and helicopters we could go up for eight minutes, maybe five, that was it. Now we have 15 minutes usually on the average, but I still have to watch that; I'm still monitoring the whole time. I'm monitoring all the functions while he is working on the flight."

I've spent my share of days in the back of a news helicopter as a TV news photographer and the expense that accompanies helicopter ownership are huge. I asked Devin Fadenrecht if he envisioned a day when the R/C units would be able to replace full size helicopters. He said, "It's possible, there are still weight issues and things that we can't do because we can't carry the gear. But its getting there. A helicopter can handle wind and can do things we can't."

He says that when it comes to R/C aircraft, there are restrictions, such as Oregon's penchant for rainy skies, "I can't go up when its wet, my batteries are just gone, we're going to have to build a special one for that." He says their whole idea now is to let people know the good things that can be done. "If you're safe and careful it can be a lot of fun."

Rebecca Courtney says the first ever Drone photo exhibit, "Drone's Eye View" - is part of the continuing events at the Reed Opera House that show and host tremendous talent and technology, "It is very consistent with our Backstage Bohemian Bash theme that draws many people who are fascinated by art and technical developments."

Along with another pilot named John Svendsen, Devin Fadenrecht and Ron Cooper are defining the possibilities of aerial photography, plus, it's always a hit with crowds, "Almost all of them are amazed and glad to see it," Fadenrecht said in regard to spectators who come to watch these high tech pilots fly and shoot images, "They look over our shoulder and we let them watch the video and see it live We probably have a bunch of wives that are upset with us because their husband sees one and says, 'I want to have one of those now,' and wants to go shopping and you know, it's a guy thing, electronics and all of that. But it's different, you get to see Salem and other places like nobody else does."

"...and it's addicting," Ron Cooper added, "we're suffering withdrawals right now because it's such beautiful flying weather!"