Down to Earth Photography

Aerial photography can benefit the park district marketing, facilities management and administrative departments

by Allan Goldstein

The use of aerial photography has grown considerably since those early days of yesteryear when a photographer would lug his huge bellows-type camera into a hot air balloon, light the fire and shoot away. The last few years have produced dramatic improvements in the hi-tech design of cameras, lenses, films, filters and photographic chemistry. The ultimate beneficiary has been the end product: the color photographs, and you, the viewer.

Aerial photography, being a rather unique and exciting branch of the photography industry, is most often called upon when there is a need to see large portions, or even all, of the property. Ground based architectural photography, albeit a valuable resource, can only show relatively small portions and therefore, for the large areas, the airborne camera is the ONLY available option.

Aerial photographs satisfy many sophisticated requirements utilizing high altitude jets and satellites to the more "down to earth" color perspective oblique photographs for marketing, trade shows, advertising and publicity. Allan Goldstein, president of the Elk Grove Village-based Aerial Images Photography Company, states, "In our operation, we make extensive use of our company-owned Cessna Skyhawk. This 4-place airplane is designed with the wing up out of the way so it allows for a clear, unobstructed view of the ground. The helicopter is also an ideal platform for photography, but can carry a pretty hefty price tag that puts it out of the budget of most clients."

The utility and value of these photographs are limited only by the imagination. From Goldstein, "Park districts, real estate developers and economic development commissions in cities all over Illinois are some of the clients we service. They need to know the critical information regarding the area and its relationship to the surrounding demographics. The aerial photographs exemplify the three most important qualities of a property: Location... Location... and, of course... Location!"

Numerous park districts have utilized aerial photographs for purposes of designing brochures. One park district utilized the photographs in a brochure with bubbles and arrows identifying the activity areas. Since the airplane gets up high, golf courses, soccer fields and baseball fields show up well. By flying lower, the aerial photographer can shoot the water parks, administration buildings and tennis courts.

For maintenance planning and facilities management, the aerial photographs become a necessary tool for displaying areas under consideration for repairs, additions and sprucing-up.

Construction progress can be tracked with the intent to show properties before, during and after construction from many different angles. "One of our clients headquartered in Washington State has hired a Minneapolis engineering firm to design a manufacturing plant in Aurora, Dl. The actual construction progress is photographed monthly, so all involved can easily see that the project is progressing as planned or is falling behind schedule."

40 * Illinois Parks &Recreation* July/August 1994

And finally, management always likes to show their parks and recreational areas that they hold so dear. What better way to utilize this versatile product than to display large pictures in the administration building for all to enjoy?

Aerial photography demands skills and equipment which are very different from land photography. Not the least of which is an airplane. Although Goldstein is a pilot and flight instructor, he handles the photography while instructing his pilot how to set up for the best shots. "Hying and photography are two full time jobs. If one person does both, both safety and quality are compromised."

Speaking of quality, when Goldstein started this business back in 1988, he opted for the Pentax 6x7 camera with a 60mm by 70mm negative, which is over three times larger than a 35mm negative. "The large negative contains so much data resulting in an excellent quality photograph."

"Overall, I'd have to say the most successful projects have been when my clients communicate freely with me and tell me what purpose the photographs will serve. From there I can be creative and determine the best time of day or specific day and what close-ups and wide angle shots will get the best results," states Goldstein.

Allan E. Goldstein is President of Aerial Images Photography Company in Elk Grove Village. Goldstein has worked with many park districts and is an avid supporter and member of IPRA, IAPD and MIPE. For more information and a free brochure and estimate for your park district, contact Goldstein at (708) 980-7685.*