Yesterday’s commentary praising the possibilities and safety benefits of using drones for aerial photography and videography stirred strong emotions, mostly—and notably—from photographers. As I stated in the first line of the editorial, none of the photographers I work with are in any danger of losing their jobs to drones in the foreseeable future.
I wrote the piece expecting moderate push-back from my photographer-friends Pete Boden, Jeff Helmkamp and Tom Leigh—and I got it. All made valid points, which I also expected.
Perspectives from professionals who actually do the work are particularly valuable. Everyone has an opinion. Some are better-informed than others. So I listen most closely to the pros.
Much of the discussion focused on the potentially horrific mix of photo drones and helicopters—safety and video—in the same air-space during offshore powerboat races. The concern is valid. Despite that there are rules and guidelines in place, they cannot be stringent enough as failing to adhere to them eventually will produce tragic results.
Zero argument there. But then my commentary wasn’t about drones and helicopters using the same air space. That would make a fine editorial. But it wasn’t the one I wrote.
My column was about keeping photographers and helicopter pilots out of an inherently dangerous situation through the use of aerial drones.
Not only do I loathe the idea of being in any way involved with putting photographer and pilot friends at risk, I loathe—being blunt—the liability risk.
Worth noting? Offshore racing is not the only powerboating activity in which helicopters fly photographers and videographers. In fact, relative to the number of recreational events such as poker runs each year, they comprise a minute fraction of the activities that use them.
Also worth noting? Air traffic created by, for example, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run is significantly lower than that created an American Power Boat Association National Championship Series offshore race.
Like the late Tom Newby of Powerboat magazine fame before him, photographer Tom Leigh made an excellent point on the difference between a professional photographer in a helicopter with an experienced pilot and a photo-drone pilot. The latter cannot, at least at this juncture, compete with the former.
Hence the opening line of yesterday’s commentary.
Emerging technologies need to evolve cautiously and methodically prior to full embrace, and photo drones aren’t there yet when it comes to powerboating events. It’s not just good to be cautious in potentially lethal situations. It’s essential.
But coming up with well-considered solutions is more productive than throwing up roadblocks when those technologies threaten the status quo.
In time, the solutions will come.—Matt Trulio