UAV used for Chimney Stack Inspection

With the latest cold, damp weather, there have been a few concerns regarding the structure condition and safety of some brick chimney stacks.  Stacks which have been built many years using traditional clay bricks and mortar and have since remained dormant of use.
To assist with the Grade 1 visual inspection, Quantity Surveyors have used our services and that of the unmanned aerial vehicle to their full advantage.
After we complete our risk assessment and obtain the necessary permissions, the UAV is deployed on site with a professional DSLR or video camera and flown to within metres of the structure or any part of it. From there, via our live video downlink, we can see at ease any degrading of the brick work or mortar or any other problem area which will give cause of concern.
In this example a scaffolding structure would have taken days to erect at a cost at approximately £9000.00 pounds never mind the inconvenience to the residents in the area.
Our overall cost was less than 5% of the scaffolding hire charge and completed in about 1.5hrs with the images delivered next day.
The QS can now call upon the necessary maintenance teams to take care of the mortar and brick work.

The results of the grade 1 inspection

Snow covered Mountains of Mourne

The Mournes has always been a favourite location of mine whether we walk or fly.  And I love to photograph the rolling mountains whenever I can.
Today was no exception.  I had a few commissions which took me airborne.  The majority of my time was spent in the Newcastle area travelling throughout the mountainside.  Its only from my perspective as an aerial photographer can we appreciate the stunning world in which we live.
But to photograph the Mourne Mountains covered in snow is really the icing on the cake.
We are compiling framed prints ready for sale and if you should desire to get your hands on a limited edition set please do contact me directly.
Enjoy.

Donard to the Isle of Man

Time Lapse

This week we have received two enquiries from construction and facility management companies regarding time lapse photography.  Both companies have major construction projects planned for the forthcoming weeks / months ahead and would like to record site progress from the first cut of soil to the completed structure.
The use of  time-lapse photography can benefit the project manger in many ways, from site progress development to time management.
Our cameras record still frames greater than HD video and are rendered at 25 frames per second to a seamless film covering the total build time on site.

We can cover one day events through to prolonged builds and have a tariff to suit all needs from a single camera through to multi camera setups.
Click on the link below to view a very simple one camera set up.

  To view demo click HERE

New arrival at quarry

Today in the wind, rain and freezing cold we were onsite at one of Northern Irelands leading quarry companies.
Our client has recently heavily invested in some new trucks of all shapes and sizes.  Several images were required for the company PR for both our client and the Donnelly Group.
Just as we set up for this shot, the first shot of the day, the heavens opened.  Needless to say the shoot was over very very quickly. But not before getting what we needed.

New addition to the fleet

Hotel Bedroom view

Just recently we have been working with a client who has the foresight for one of the best ever Hotel golf and spa resorts right here in Co Down.

We have been on site today capturing the sweeping hills before construction work begins.  Our brief was to show the view from the hotel bedroom, which of course has yet to be built.  However in the pano image below this is the wonderful view you can expect to see.

If this goes ahead Northern Ireland will have a golf-course to boast about.

This photograph is made up of five stitched images taken at a height of 40mts AGL using our UAV.

View from Hotel bedroom

Aerial filming - Causeway Coast

For those who are following our progress on aerial filming and aerial photography work will be aware that the Causeway Coast is part of a client requirement to promote Northern Ireland as a tourist destination, second to none.  

The brief for the stones from the Art Director was simple. "The stones, are the Causeway coast so we want to see definition of the stones in the aerial footage".  That was basically it, apart from you have to fly low- very low, the deadline and the fact that it had to be captured in sunshine.

On Friday past if you just happened to be at the Causeway on a beautiful day you certainly saw us and our crew with the UAV filming the coast line, with of course the permission from the National Trust.

Following the directors brief, the aerial video and photography will show the stones in all their glory and we've taken to screen shots from the video just to show that.

From what I have seen so far, this footage is a jaw dropper.  I just you think so too.

Soon to be screened on TV.

Screen shots from the aerial footage of the causeway stones, Co Antrim

Causeway stones - National Trust property

Air to Air

Our last post related to Ground to air photography.  Isn't is strange that only this week we're now shooting air to air.
Using two helicopters we covered some aspects of the Robinson 22 flight.  A great day out was had by all.

Robinson 22 North Antrim

A sunny change, Belfast

Whist we specialise in aerial photography, air to ground, sometimes we get a commission in reverse, ie ground to air.  Today was no exception.
We are currently working on a commercial brochure showing the transportation infrastructure of Northern Ireland.  Some of the images planned require shots of aircraft either landing or taking off. So today being the best day of the year so far we did just that.

Progress flights for road mapping

Currently there are a number of road construction projects throughout the province.  Generally in days gone by, we've boarded a Cessna, flew to our destination and followed the roadway at 1500 ft, taking photographs along the route.  The results at that time were and still are great. One of the drawbacks however would be the inconsistency of the photographs throughout the construction progress. The variation in height/distance, aircraft placement, unfamiliar pilot etc meant the every run was slightly different.
However in the age of technology we do things a little different now.  We use the UAV, Unmanned aerial vehicle.
Planning a route which takes in to account the project managers specifications we offer very detailed vertical images from a height from ground level to, in-fact, any height up to 126mts AGL. Images which are not achievable from the standard Cessna or Robinson 44 due to aircraft construction, wheels, spats struts, got in the way, never mind the low fly rule. If 45* obliques are required its only a matter of adding an additional photography task at each waypoint.
The UAV flight is silent, so no noise complaints from residents and the results, quick and accurate.
At the planning stage our maps are over-layed with the constructors/surveyor detailed plans, using very sophisticated software and from there a flight plan can be designed, which takes into account buildings bridges footpaths etc.  The UAV course will be exactly the same for each and every-time we are required to revisit making progress locations exactly the same.
On site, the flight is conducted by our CAA / IAA qualified staff with the minimum of disruption. During the post processing highly detailed images are stitched together to form an aerial plan view of the construction site.

Full 4K route

Close up of area

In the above examples, a new carriageway is to be constructed through farmland. As you can see we have overlayed the original ground map with survey plans for the road and structure construction.  From that, a flight path has been created.  The markers show where the vertical photographs will be taken.
Now you have no excuse to have those highly detailed vertical images at a cost which is affordable.
For a free quotation please do discuss the flight with our staff.

UAV filming - Derry's Cannons

During January we have had a number of enquiries regarding aerial work.  Topics include aerial filming and aerial mapping, all of which we are capable of.
In weeks/months to come a number of clips will be screened on TV, from Londonderry, the 2013 City of Culture, covering tourism for the city.
Derry is a beautiful city and we have been privileged to be part of that filming crew. We have filmed the Peace Bridge at sunset, Guild Hall through the gargoyles and the latest short is from The Cannons at the Verbal Art Centre, with our UAV carrying a suitable HD video camera.
The clips will show very low level aerial filming in unusual areas where a full-size aircraft could not cover.  The image below is a still capture from the Cannon shoot.  If you know the Walled city you'll appreciate how low this actually is.
We are looking forward to seeing the final result on screen and I'm sure a few questions will be raised on behind the scenes, just like the BT ad.

The Cannons at the Verbal Art Centre, Derry.

A brighter Belfast from 220feet

At long last a break in the weather.  Today saw us standing on a roof top 220ft above Belfast for this image.  We have waited almost 6 weeks for this one particular photograph.
Technically not a difficult shoot but in other respects challenging, as the winds were howling 20-25mph at ground level.  A few times I did have the heart miss a beat. Certainly not for the faint hearted or light headed.  Its amazing the view from this gallery just beautiful.  Within 15 mins sun gone, rain heavy and blowing worse than ever.
We now have a nice selection of low level images in the area.

Belfast City - Looking east toward the lough

January's over

In all the years I've been flying I don't think we've had a worst January for weather.  From winds to snow to rain to winds it certainly hasn't been a month for being in the air.  Its a question of wishing I was up there, rather than praying we make it down again.
However January has been a month for reflection and good house keeping.  All in order now, we look forward to a brighter February.  Those misty mornings full of atmosphere just like in the image below.  Enjoy.

Winter over Saintfield, looking East

Inch Abbey

Following a recent enquiry in respect of our UAV operations, we were asked how good is the quality for archaeology studies.  Quick answer, unbelievable.  Our unmanned aerial units, use professional Canon cameras for which we have a reasonable selection of lenses.  Depending on client brief we select the best equipment.  The image for this post has been loaded from a study at Inch Abbey, Downpatrick.  

We spent two hours on site and obtained views which prior to this have never been captured.  From low level to vertical down shots of the whole site.  

We provide all necessary on site equipment, computers, monitors, high definition viewing goggles and even our own generator for the recharging of batteries.

If you would like further information do contact the office.

Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, low level

Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, 90* vertical down

Peace Bridge Londonderry

Low level filming would appear to be on the increase.  Yesterday we started on a project which will involve us heading to the major attractions on the North Antrim Coast and the City of Derry.  The result will be screened in 2013 and will feature aerial filming all shot below 400 feet.
Prior to this footage it rained most of the day but just at sunset we were able to get several scenes filmed before darkness fell.

Peace Bridge, Londonderry, at sunset

Nettlehill Lisburn

Recently we were commissioned to photograph social housing at Nettlehill Road, Lisburn.  The new build is a replacement of two large houses and feature luxury apartments for the elderly.
Weather for architecture photography does make a massive difference to the final result.  Graced with a beautiful day we did make the best of things.  Needless to say it poured just prior and after this shot.

Nettlehill Road, Lisburn

UAV at Drumclay Crannog

Over the past few weeks we have been commissioned by the NIEA, Northern Ireland Environmental Agency, to supply aerial photography at the Drumclay Crannog site, in Enniskillen Co Fermanagh.

Our task was two fold, to capture overall and vertical images from the archaeology dig involving low level aerial photography.  

The most effective means was to utilise our UAV, unmanned aerial vehicle, for stunning and cost effective results which could not have been obtained by any other means without risk or substantial cost on high lifts etc, which most certainly couldn't achieve the same results.  

Using the UAV also meant that our operators didn't interfere with the site layout or cause damage under foot, whereas the high lift would, in order to gain access. 

Flying in subzero temperatures we covered all aspects of the site in just four flights and in the minimum  period of staff disruption, who were asked to vacate the dig site whilst the UAV was in the air.

Our operators are qualified, certified and approved by both the CAA and IAA for commercial use for such aircraft.

UAV surveying the Drumclay archaeology site, Enniskillen

Vertical images of the crannog 

Images hosted with the express permission of the NIEA

Awards Awards Awards

During the week we received a telephone call enquiring if we had every won any awards for our aerial or social photography from a perspective client.
Of course we have.  Awards don't come easily and hours of work go into the preparation, selection of work and production of prints which are shown to a number of photographic judges.  The image below from the East Strand Portrush, received first place in the pictorial section with the BIPP ( British Institute of Professional Photography). It now gladly has been framed and hung in my office.
If your business image is important use a professional photographer.

East Strand, Portrush

Rise and shine before the sun

Today see's the final photoshoot for a client.  However the brief was 'before sunrise please'.  Our task was to show clients the availability of gritting machines in their natural working environment.  The site chosen was in fact an area to be gritted so no requirement for us to go in search of a fabulous location. We arrived on site at 6:30am set up a number of speed lights and set to work.  Daylight was just breaking through so we had to work fast.
In this image there are four speed-lights illuminating the gritter, three placed on camera side and one placed behind the spreading disc to separate it from the road surface.  As the equipment shown is for winter use, a flurry of snow was encouraged just to help matters along.
Certainly we are pleased with the project and I'm sure our client will be.

The clocks go back

It's that time of year when dusk is upon us all to soon.  Last year if you recall we shot some dusk work over Belfast.  This time we plan to do something similar including some HD video work at broadcast  quality.

Just to refresh the memory Belfast at dusk.

Water Treatment Plant

Our latest commission was to record recent completed construction work at a water treatment facility in County Armagh.  Our client had a very definite image in mind which was to show the facility in an area of natural beauty, the countryside.  Had we considered using full size aircraft, most certainly, however flying this low might have had a few raised eyebrows from the local neighbours, nor could we have achieved the horizon with Lough Neagh in the background.
Using our UAV and canon cameras, we flew the area and recorded some spectacular images from several locations.  Our client received all completed work within 24hrs of confirming the photography.