In the U.S. Air Force today, an estimated 7,400 drones are used - almost one in three aircraft. The unpiloted machines are also used in at least 50 other countries. Other governmental reasons for drones include weather monitoring, search-and-rescue, and 3D mapping.

But government use of these devices is not our focus. In recent years, drones for commercial and personal purposes have become a very real part of our immediate future and, in some cases, our present. This article discusses the use of drones primarily for creative use, such as photography and videography.

SUMMARY

WHY DRONES	LEGALITIES	ON THE MARKET	MAIL DELIVERY
Using drones for art could take photography to another level - literally.	FAA regulations are becoming stricter. Artists would need permits in order to sell their work.	Brands like: DJI Walkera UDI	Amazon's Prime Air is likely far off. Other, more simplified drone delivery plans are in the works.

The small drones used by some agencies and individuals for photography and videography do have physical restrictions. Most are battery powered and last only 15 to 30 minutes before needing to be recharged. Due to their small size, only a few models have the ability to carry more than a small GoPro camera - a very powerful tool but certainly limited by size and capability.

Additionally, for the sake of safety (both of humans and the expensive equipment), most drones are not flown out of sight of the operator. Above Summit, one company that offers aerial photography and videography services, has set a limit of 1.2 miles (2 km) from the ground-based pilot.

But the benefits are widely considered to far outweigh the limitations. Some companies meld ground and air photography and video, and market these services to real estate companies, film crews, tourism businesses, and more. A multicopter - as they are sometimes called - allows for all-angle coverage of the scene or area in question.

Much of the imagery captured by a drone-mounted camera could be taken by hand from a helicopter or balloon. However, the expense and preparation for such an endeavor - hiring pilots, clearing airspace, insurance, fuel consumption, etc - is high and quite often beyond the budget of smaller corporations. Drones, on the other hand, can be carried into the area in a case and take no more time to prepare and take off than a model plane. While pilots/operators are well-trained, they do not require the years of experience - and therefore high pay - of an aircraft pilot.

These clips of Drone Videos show the beautiful footage that can be captured by a UAV.

Before the popularity of drone photography, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had general guidelines for personal drone operation. Essentially, the UAVs were considered as model airplanes, with the same "best practices" applying:

• Keep the aircraft within sight at all times
• Do not fly above 400 feet (ie: stay out of restricted airspace)
• Don't take pictures of people without their permission. Essentially - stay out of populated areas where damage/injury could occur.

However, these restrictions alone are not the primary issue for artists. It is simple enough to stay within the legal guidelines when affixing a camera to their UAV and taking aerial shots of land formations, waterways, or their artworks that must be viewed from above. The difficulty arises when the artist proceeds to sell these images.

Once their drone shots have commercial aspirations, these same artists who were well within their rights before, may now be required to purchase the permits and licences applicable to commercial drone operators. This includes a Private Pilot certificate, and FAA approval of the airworthiness of the craft. The cost of obtaining these documents could very quickly make their business unfeasible.

DJI SPREADING WINGS S1000

Price: $4750, no camera

DJI PHANTOM 2

The drone is controlled by remote, onto which a smartphone can attach to show the feed from the camera. The controls can also tighten the propellers and tilt the camera, and the feed alerts the operator if they are nearing any no-fly zones.

Price: $900, includes extra battery

Check out this YouTube video about the DJI Inspire One drone.

Walkera QR X350

Price: $400

UDI U818A RC Quadcopter

Price: $60

Walkera QR X350

UDI U818A RC

Amazon has promoted Prime Air, which is exploring the possibility of 30-minute delivery to local customers. Once the option was selected and the order placed, a drone carrying the package would simply be deployed to the customer's address. This seems to be a far-off possibility, however, since FAA regulations restrict drones flying in populated areas or out of sight of the operator.

Another mail delivery option that seems slightly more feasible, though still problematic, is that in development by a company called Amp Holdings. They are working on a drone that could ride along with the mail truck, and be deployed from the street to save the extra time and fuel required for the delivery driver to maneuver their way to the house. The delivery driver would simply use a GPS device to pinpoint the drop off location, hand the package to the drone, and send it on its way.

However, this still requires flying in populated areas, and if any trees are in the way, or the drone must go behind the house, it will no longer be in sight of the driver.

The environmental impact of using less fuel, and the "as-the-crow-flies" speed and reduced distance the drones can manage makes drone delivery a very useful option, if the regulations can be established and safety can be ensured.

Mail by drone may still be some years off, but if everything goes according to the hopes of science fiction fans, and the plans of some dedicated and mechanically-minded corporations, we at KeenART Media hope to start delivering small canvas and paper prints to local customers using drones by 2020. Imagine the ease and convenience of simply opening your door to a hovering mechanical delivery device!

For now, though, we'll have to satisfy ourselves with custom shipping boxes and truck service!

Photography drones offer a different vantage point with which many amateur and professional photographers and film-makers are eager to experiment. Though legal walls may bar the way at this point, as their popularity grows it is likely the demand for more attainable

For now, companies that offer drone imaging services have the advantage, and some photographers have worked aerial photography into their business offerings and are popular with real estate companies, film directors and producers, and environmental or tourism groups.

For more great images taken by drone-mounted cameras, check out our Pinterest board Drone Photography.

A division of USAOnCanvas.com Houston prints on canvas - Gallery Picture Frames SanAntonio Laser Engraving & Cutting Services