Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Program of Photography and Cameraman Operation

FKM155

DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY

Course Code
FKM155
Semester
-
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
4
Course TypeElective Course
Course LevelAssociate Degree
Year of Study-
Semester-
ECTS4
Name of Lecturer(s) -
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Explain the hardware components, flight mechanics, and core systems of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV/Drone).
  2. Interpret and comply with civil aviation regulations (DGCA/SHGM), airspace restrictions, flight safety standards, and legal/ethical privacy rules.
  3. Configure drone camera parameters including sensor settings, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and ND/polarizing filters according to specific lighting conditions.
  4. Apply aerial composition techniques, geometric patterns, angles (nadir/oblique), and precise flight maneuvers to produce creative aerial photographs.
  5. Process raw aerial imagery (DNG/RAW) through post-production software, apply color/lens distortion corrections, and curate a professional digital portfolio.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme Components
Course DescriptionThe objective of this course is to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in drone photography and cinematography. It covers drone flight controls, pre-flight checklists, international and national aviation regulations, flight safety, composition principles unique to high-angle and top-down perspectives, and digital image post-processing workflows.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Course description, scope, objectives, and procedures. The history and development of aerial photography and its contemporary fields of application.
2nd Week UAV (Drone) Systems and Hardware Components: Airframe, brushless motors, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), propellers, LiPo battery safety, gimbal, and remote-control systems.
3rd Week Legal Regulations, Permission Procedures, and Flight Safety: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA/SHGM) regulations for UAVs, no-fly zones (NFZs), altitude limits, meteorological factors, aviation ethics, and the protection of personal data and privacy.
4th Week Flight Dynamics and Basic Controls: Pre-flight checks, compass and IMU calibration, GPS and sensor modes, and the principles of take-off, hovering, and landing.
5th Week Drone Cameras and Optical Features: Sensor sizes, focal length, aperture, shutter speed, ISO balance, DNG/RAW format, and the use of neutral-density (ND) and polarizing filters.
6th Week Composition in Aerial Photography: Bird?s-eye views (top-down/nadir angle), 45-degree oblique angles, horizon placement, gridlines, geometry, texture, symmetry, and scale.
7th Week Flight Manoeuvres and Shooting Techniques: Pan, tilt, tracking, orbit (Point of Interest), cable cam, and intelligent shooting modes such as QuickShots and MasterShots.
8th Week Midterm Examination: Theoretical Assessment and Basic Simulation/Flight Control.
9th Week Lighting and Atmospheric Conditions in Aerial Photography: Working with golden-hour and blue-hour light, high-contrast sunlight, harsh shadows, and backlighting.
10th Week Field-Specific Shooting Practice: Aerial photography techniques for landscape, nature, architecture, archaeology, documentary, urban, and event photography.
11th Week Aerial Panoramic and HDR Photography: Automatic and manual exposure bracketing (AEB), spherical and cylindrical panoramas, and vertical panorama photography.
12th Week Field Practice: Safe outdoor flight, take-off and landing, composition at a fixed altitude, and aerial photography practice.
13th Week Digital Post-Production: Processing aerial photographs; correcting lens distortion, enhancing dynamic range, and colour grading using Lightroom and Photoshop.
14th Week Final Project Presentations: Presentation of the photographs in a portfolio/exhibition context and overall evaluation.
Recommended or Required ReadingSivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM) İnsansız Hava Aracı Sistemleri Talimatı (SHT-İHA).

Ivo Schwarz Drone Photography: A Professional Approach to Aerial Cinematography & Photography.

Fergus Kennedy Drone Photography Basics: Your Guide to the New Art of Aerial Photography, Ammonite Press.

Dirk Dallas Eyes over the World: The Rise of Drone Photography, Rizzoli.

Emre İkizler Filmden Dijitale Temel Fotoğraf (Destekleyici Işık ve Pozlama Kaynağı).
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 40
Total(%) 40
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 40
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 60
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 10 10
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 2 28
Preparation for Final exam 1 14 14
Course hours 14 4 56
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 10 10
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 14 14
Homework 1 22 22
Total Work Load154
Total Work Load / 30 (h)5.13
ECTS Credit of the Course4
Language of InstructionTurkish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

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