Drone Photography

This is a good example of the technique of using long shadows to add another dimension to drone images. Because of the high viewpoint you cannot see the arches and windows of this ruined abbey, until they are revealed by the low sun. I think it's a really cool effect!

There are no clues to how this was captured or created. I’m imagining it’s a low tide with the sky being reflected in the water or it could be a composite image. Nonetheless, the resulting image is quite magnificent. The lone figure, with the raking long shadow, nicely adds a focal point and balance to the composition. The overall effect is quite surreal and I really like it.

This clever look-down shot is very well observed and works brilliantly. The features of the landscape do indeed look like a tree when seen directly from above. Aside from the resemblance, it's a nicely composed shot with interesting lines and colours that would still appeal if the image was rotated.

Here, the high viewpoint offered by a drone camera is ideally placed to record a scene that is intriguing in itself, with a long strip of land left for the benefit of wild animals in arable farmland. It’s a nice, near symmetrical, composition that is enhanced by the warm colour of the low-level light raking across the undulating land. I particularly like the depth and detail in the landscape revealed by the long shadows.

Some of the most captivating drone images out there are those looking down at beautiful and surreal patterns in the landscape from far-flung regions of the Earth. This is one such example. The high viewpoint reveals an abstract, almost alien-looking vista. It reminds me of the images sent back from probes exploring the solar system.

This is a 'wow' image that immediately grabs attention because it features so many key photographic elements. It’s a wonderfully composed scene with dramatic action, lovely lighting, scale, and a nice contrast of colours. The image is lifted to another level by the intriguing high viewpoint. I think it’s a fabulous shot and it’s my clear winner.

This is a great example of using the 90-degree look down function that many drones offer to great effect. While this shot could initially appear as a simple abstract image, the arrangement of the people on the court gives it an entirely new perspective. The shadows add that finishing touch, rounding off a very well executed photo.

It's easy to like this curious image as it grins menacingly at you! While it's effectively a straight down view inside a cooling tower I love the simplicity of the composition, with the aesthetics of the circular brickwork and the well balanced highlights and shadows. The black and white effect suits the subject well too.

At first impression, this evocative sunrise could have been taken with a camera, rather than with a drone. This is another key benefit in having a flying camera, the ability to compose shots from positions that are otherwise inaccessible. Extreme caution should be used when flying over water at low-level as the drone's navigation system can be easily confused by reflections.

This superb dramatic, moody image is like something out of Lord of the Rings! Images at the heart of the action such as this were once only achievable by flying too close for comfort in manned aircraft. While still a precarious business, the use of a drone enables closer views with reduced risk to life, though maybe not the safety of the drone!

Compelling images like this, with fantastic patterns and colours, invite you pause and to take a closer look. It's a spectacular geological feature shot from a great height but it could just as easily be a close-up of a gem stone or rock section.

This is a very well executed shot of the classic bird's-eye perspective of a winding road. For me, this is the standout image from the many submissions on this subject. Alpine settings are naturally photogenic, while the snow, trees, and tarmac sit well together in a pleasing graphic contrast. The cars on the road nicely add a sense of scale.

There's something strangely evocative about mist and historic ruins. This is a very nice example. I like the way the mist accentuates the layers, adding depth, while at the same time hiding some details. Perhaps the colour is a wee bit muted and could benefit from some warmer tones from the sunrise.

Wow, what a contrast! A drone is used to great advantage here, with its ability to be easily manoeuvred to the most favourable altitude and to find a suitable composition. This amazing natural phenomenon could not have been photographed without being able to look down on to the cloud inversion.