Why on earth would anyone photograph by drone?
I’ve always been intrigued by the view of earth from the air.
Like you, I’ve sat in commercial airliners and wished I could capture the images I see at awkward angles through scratched and cloudy windows.
I’ve also flown in military aircraft, and piloted ultralights, paramotors, and paragliders. As a photographer who took photographs only from ground-level, I dreamed that I could somehow capture those amazing aerial perspectives.
So when drones came on the market offering excellent photographic qualities, I knew it was my lucky time to make the transition.
What I discovered was a delight. I might at first have been dismayed that drones can fly legally only up to 400 feet. (Higher than that, they might pose a risk to other aircraft.) But my perspective changed when I discovered that this is the most ideal zone for aerial photography.
At these altitudes, everything is sharp – even the leaves on the trees. At 400 feet, you can see a very long way. And you can capture patterns you didn’t know existed from the ground.
Check out these brightly-colored fish swimming by. Wait, no, those are kayaks. In each of them a human being is self-propelling past one of the glorious Thousand Islands. The view from above is very literal, and at the same time almost abstract.
Initial mistake
With drones, you often learn by trial and error. It pays to start small. My first aircraft was advertised as providing “HD” images. Sadly, when I viewed those first pictures back home on my computer, I discovered that HD means “Hardly Decipherable” or “Highly Disposable”.
The good news is that I learned a lot about flying in those hours with the “HD“ drone.
And, as much as I was upset about the abysmal quality of the photos, part of me was utterly delighted. Look, pictures from the air! Look, a bird’s eye view! Look, on wings like eagles!
Anyway, I returned the drone to the store, with many loud complaints about truth in advertising, then turned around and paid ten times as much for a drone with state-of-the-art camera. I’ve never had a moment’s regret about that costly decision.
Video by drone?
You might wonder why I’m not writing about shooting video by drone. Well, as it happens, I’m not so interested in video. I used to direct television shows, so I know video is definitely a refined skill-set. And online, I’ve seen stunning drone videos, created by very talented artists. Using my own drone, I’ve shot enough aerial video to understand that it’s challenging, rewarding, and sometimes awesome.
But as a photographer, my loyalty lies with still images that you can gaze into, over and over again. Images where subtle details convey a message. In my view, compared with video, photography is a more quiet, focused endeavor.
The rewards for the viewer are not the same as watching a video swoop through the landscape, then on to the next spectacular scene. Still photography is more in the realm of contemplation, dare I say spiritual perception?
From the ground, in Quebec’s Autumn, grey, leafless trees predominate in the photographer’s view. Winter approaches, the forest says. Dig out your duvet and snuggle in. But from the heavens, the naked trees punctuate more colorful woods. Let’s go for an invigorating hike, they invite. The modest blue cabin suggests a loving engagement with the forest.
In weeks to come, I’ll write again about the spirituality of drone photography. But my major focus will be on techniques for great aerial photos. Till next time, fly like an eagle.