fbpx

DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

Search

Submit A Story

CNN Partners With FAA To Establish New Protocol For Drone Usage By Photojournalists

In a statement issued on January 12th, from CNN, the news agency revealed it has teamed up with the FAA in an effort to experiment with various UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles). CNN reports the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) between them and the FAA will serve as a means to establish new regulations and a framework regarding the safe integration of drones into news gathering practices.

CNN also stated they and the FAA will combine it’s study with Georgia Tech Research Institute, with whom CNN had partnered with in the summer of 2014 to conduct similar research. In the statement found on CNN’s website, FAA Administrator, Michael Huerta, explained the partnership:

“Unmanned aircraft offer news organizations significant opportunities. We hope this agreement with CNN and the work we are doing with other news organizations and associations will help safely integrate unmanned newsgathering technology and operating procedures into the National Airspace System.”

[Read More…]

Canadian Regulation of Aerial Drone Photography – DIYP Interviews Transport Canada and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

by 21 Comments

There seems to be a lot of misinformation and speculation about the actual regulation of aerial drone photography and video online – especially with crazy interactions between photographers and pedestrians like this grabbing headlines.

In this article DIYP interviews both Transport Canada and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to find out what legal requirements are in place for both the recreational and commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and what people, places or things can and cannot be legally photographed or filmed from the air in Canada.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Regulation of Aerial Drone Photography In Canada

If you are an aerial photographer in Canada – you might not like some of the answers from the Canadian authorities – but don’t shoot the messenger.  If you don’t live in Canada, I think you will still find the Canadian regulations very interesting.

[Read More…]

UK Takes A Proactive Stand On UAVs – Here Is How You Can And Cannot Fly A Quadcopter In London

by 9 Comments

UAVs or Drones or Quadcopters or any other name you would like to give cameras mounted on radio controled helicopters are getting increasing attention from both citizens (as opposed to photographers ;) ) and regulating authorities. We’ve had a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) abandoned in St Luise after breaking the height limit allowed for aerial activity, and Yosemite National Park banning drones altogether.

The UK is taking a proactive approach making it absolutely clear what is and is not allowed when flying a UAV. British CAA (similar to the US FAA) released a Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations Within London and Other Towns and Cities last month, which makes it crystal clear that while some activities using UAVs are OK, some require license or are simply forbidden.[Read More…]

Can We Stop Calling Them Drones? They’re Just RC Helicopters With A Camera

by 73 Comments

I don’t know when remote control helicopters became drones, but I think its way past time we stop implying that a fancy RC helicopter with a camera strapped to it is some sort of autonomous Terminator robot.

OK sure, in the beginning I know that somebody though that “drone” sounded a lot cooler than “model airplane”.

Its exactly the kind of thing the model airplane geeks I know would adapt instantly.  Not to mention, I’m sure selling “drones” is a lot easier than selling “remote control model helicopters”.

(In the interest of search engine optimization and my penchant for hypocrisy, I am however going to refer to RC model helicopters as drones for the remainder of this article.)

Bart: Milhouse, this is boring. Make it crash or something.

Milhouse: Perfectly level flying is the supreme challenge of the scale model pilot.

[Read More…]

Parrot Want In On The Photo Market, Has A New Drone: Bebop

by 4 Comments

In 2010, Parrot introduced the A.R.Drone, and in 2012, a new iteration of the model was released. For a while now, the company’s been a leader in wireless technology through its innovation and quality; when the A.R.Drone first released, drone photography was almost unheard of. Parrot’s had a tendency to be at the right place at the right time, and with their most recent announcement, it seems like that’s not stopping.

[Read More…]

DJI Phantom Drone Crashes Into The 30Th Floor Of The Metropolitan Square Building

by 37 Comments

Every now and then we see the occasional authority prohibiting drone usage. It was done in the Gas Explosion scene in NYC and now Yosemite National Park prohibits them all together. The following story may explain why.

Yesterday, a DJI Phantom 2 drone crashed into the Metropolitan Square Building in St. Louis. The Met Square is the tallest skyscraper in St Luise standing 180.7 meters (593 ft) tall. The Drone crashed the balcony of the 30th floor about two thirds of the height of the 42 floors building.[Read More…]

Yosemite National Park Puts A Ban On Drone Usage

by 18 Comments

It seems that the next battle on photography is about drones. Between photographers, videographers, police, FAA and courts, this battle is still wide open.

The last swing is coming from an unexpected participant – the US National Park Service (NPS). In a plainly titled notice – Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) Prohibited in Yosemite National Park the NPS issued a notification that use of drones is prohibited while visiting the park.

While also addressing the legalities (or lack there) of using drones within the park perimeter, the NPS is also concerned with the safety and enjoyment of both park visitors and the wildlife living in the park[Read More…]

DJI Announces the Phantom Vision 2+, the Latest Addition to Their Drone Line

by 4 Comments

If you don’t know about devices like the DJI Phantom, then keep reading, because you may find yourself seriously considering investing in one afterwards.

DJI Phantom quadcopters are drones that take videos and photos from up in the air, like any basic helicopter shot you’ll see in movies. They’re effective, durable, and stay where they need to stay even if the wind is against them. And now the company is announcing their newest addition to the line: the Phantom Vision 2+.

[Read More…]

Removing The Camera Drone from the Scene of the NYC Gas Explosion Was the Right Thing to Do

by 11 Comments

On Wednesday, Harlem’s community suffered tremendously when a gas leak explosion brought down two apartment buildings, killing 8 people and leaving over 70 injured. The NYPD was again faced with the task of digging through rubble to find any signs of survivors in a demolished area, bringing back memories to many people of what happened back on 9/11. A bizarre incident, however, did manage to make an appearance in the midst of everything when one photographer, Brian Wilson, caught some attention for his camera’s setup; it was on a flying drone.

The flying drone, a DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter, managed to take a (pretty well done, might I add) aerial shot of the debris from the explosion that morning, and the photo was posted to the photographer’s Instagram account. It wasn’t, however, until the drone caught the attention of the NYPD that things got slightly controversial. I take that back; it already started turning heads of other people before it got noticed by the police, and even the people themselves got worried.

[Read More…]

Recent Posts