Making the video: Low Altitude Aerial Photography
It was a change of plan.
Originally, Esther and I had planned to host a gallery showing of my low altitude images in our home in the spring of 2020. But the Covid crisis scotched that idea.
So we decided to welcome viewers to a virtual gallery by video. The process of making that half-hour video took many days, but the end result turned out to be deeply satisfying. You can see the finished result on the Video Gallery tab above, or at https://youtu.be/-fvDNfTJ8vI
Choosing images
My prep started with choosing about 45 photographs to feature in the video. That involved looking through hundreds of my favourites!
Then I tried to group them in a way that would provide some logical sense of development. And wow, is that hard! How do I organize this mass? Shapes, colours, locations, or what?
I organized them one way, then another, and after many fits and starts, came up with the structure I used. It began by highlighting some of the special qualities that make drone photography unique, and then displayed its capabilities across the four seasons
Structure
First, I selected photographs that featured abstractions and patterns; evocative, suggestive, and sometimes deceptive. These images would introduce low altitude aerial photography as a distinct art form.
I decided I would then transition to images that revealed abuses of our natural environment, kicking off with circular patterns: the off-ramp from a highway, sewage settling tanks. My purpose here was to reveal how photography from the sky can expose uncomfortable truths not always visible from the ground.
With that material in hand, I was ready to explore the four seasons, beginning with some interesting photographs I took as the days warm up in springtime.
Summer was represented by glorious images of the 1000 Islands where we spent many months living on our boat.
Fall was illustrated by waterfalls, colorful forests, and the unexpected evidence of a tornado.
The Winter sequence included the discomfiting shadows of a Holocaust memorial, and icy jewels at the edge of the lake. When, I mused, would we capture such unforgettable views, except in the bitter Canadian winter? And how would we ever photograph them, except by drone?
Writing the script
Because music is usually very effective in connecting video sequences, I listened to various pieces (including Vivaldi’s Seasons, of course) as I looked at the photographs. But to my surprise, music seemed to detract from these images. That’s when I realized that my job would be to hold the video together with words.
I began to write a script which I hoped would convey the sense of awe, surprise, and satisfaction I’ve experienced in the practice of low altitude aerial photography.
I tried to write as personally as possible, so I could narrate it in an open and honest way. When it was complete, I recorded the script on an audio recorder.
I also asked my son Aaron to develop a 15-second musical sting for the titles and credits, which he did promptly and beautifully.
Top and tail
Since our original idea had been to welcome people into our home, Esther and I collaborated on the part of the script where we took turns on-camera introducing the video and closing it off.
It took us a couple of attempts to record it to our satisfaction, but what we ended up with was friendly and welcoming, and it suggested Esther’s positive contribution to my work.
Editing
For editing software I use DaVinci Resolve, an excellent professional grade program. First, I laid down the voice track, which directed me as I placed the photographs. Then I added the music, intro and extro, titles, dissolves, subtle zooms on some of the photos, and balanced the audio.
Finally I saved Low Altitude Aerial Photography to be compatible with YouTube, put it online, and notified family and friends. To date, a couple of hundred people have looked at all or part of it, more than we could ever have squished into our living room.
So yes, it was a big job, but I can truthfully say I enjoyed every minute. I’m really glad I did it. And the appreciative feedback I’ve received since then was definitely a bonus.
