Aerial photography from the ground!
Aerial photography from the ground sounds like a contradiction in terms but is actually a brand new photographic service that has been launched throughout the UK for both the quarrying and plant industries.
"Aerial Close-up Ltd specialize in low-cost, low-level aerial photography, not from expensive planes or helicopters, but by operating a 35mm camera attached to the top of a telescopic mast which in turn is mounted on a 4x4 on/off-road vehicle. The mast which can operate up to a maximum height of 70ft, is among the highest in the world and can reach any location accessible by the 4x4 vehicle, thus allowing photographs to be taken almost anywhere within the quarrying environment. In addition, there is minimum disturbance to neighbouring properties and their occupants."
"Aerial Close-up use a wide range of Nikon 35mm still cameras and lenses, connected to the ground via sophisticated remote controls, ensuring high-quality oblique photography including close-up, zoom and wide-angle shots. The exposure can be viewed on site using a video downlink to a TV monitor in the vehicle to guarantee correct framing of the image, thereby reducing time and wasted exposures."
"The list of potential applications includes the provision of photographs for planning applications, progress pictures for overburden removal or site restoration, quarry development, vehicle routeing, corporate promotion and brochures, informing local residents of developments by regular photographic updates, archaeological digs, boundary disputes etc."
