Drone Photography Melbourne: Still-Shot Techniques, HDR, Composition & Delivery for Construction PMs

Construction project managers in Melbourne know that crisp aerial still-shots are a game-changer for site documentation. From progress tracking to QA, drone photography offers perspectives ground cameras simply can’t match.

Still-Shot Techniques for Site Documentation

Aerial still-shot consistency starts with a solid flight plan. Using a grid pattern mission ensures full site coverage with even overlap—ideal for week-to-week comparisons.
Set your altitude to capture the right detail level (e.g. 50–100 m AGL) and aim for 70% front overlap and 60% side overlap in grid settings.

Lock in manual camera settings before take-off. Choose a mid-range ISO (100–200), a shutter speed no slower than 1/200 s, and an aperture around f/5.6–f/8 for maximum sharpness. This prevents mid-flight exposure shifts.

HDR Imaging & Exposure Bracketing Workflows

Melbourne skies can be high-contrast—bright sunlit surfaces next to deep shadows. Bracketed HDR captures preserve detail across that range.
On DJI and Autel platforms, set 3–5 bracketed shots at ±1 EV or ±2 EV to cover extremes. After import, merge in Lightroom or Photoshop and fine-tune tone mapping for natural-looking results.

Composition & Framing for Construction Sites

Good composition isn’t just for art—it’s vital for clear documentation. Apply the rule of thirds: position key structures (cranes, core walls) at intersections to guide the eye.
Decide between nadir (straight-down) for accurate measurements and oblique (angled) for depth context. Landmark anchors—roads, adjacent buildings—help align images over multiple flights.

Post-Processing: Workflow & Colour Correction

Start with a disciplined import and culling process: use flags or color labels to mark keepers. Organize folders by Project → Date → GridID for easy reference.
In Develop mode, enable lens profile corrections and set a neutral white balance—Melbourne’s light varies wildly from overcast to bright sun. Adjust highlights, shadows and midtones to boost clarity and “Melbourne blue” skies.

Deliverables & File Formats for Stakeholders

Choose your formats wisely: JPEGs for quick web sharing, TIFFs for archival and DNGs if heavy post-editing is expected. Each has trade-offs in size and flexibility.
Adopt a clear naming convention, e.g. ProjectX_20250425_GridA1.jpg, and ensure GPS EXIF metadata is embedded. Deliver via shared cloud storage or export GeoTIFFs for direct CAD/GIS import.