Photo of the Week - Reef & Lighthouse at Pigeon Point
Jan 03, 2018
What makes this image unique, is how I captured the shot.
To create this unusual perspective, I kept my traditional landscape photography gear in the bag.
Instead, I opted for the new kid on the block. My Phantom 4 Pro drone that I fondly refer to as "Maverick."
For the past several months, I took time to learn how to safely and adequately fly Maverick and patiently waited until I felt comfortable maneuvering it in the sky, and low above the ground, before I tried to take a creative shot with it. Finally, the day came when I thought I was ready to take the next step and create my first image.
So how do I create an image?
The first step I take is to choose a specific location and visualize the shot, including as many details as possible, such as the primary subject, time of day, supporting elements, and the feel of the shot. My goal is to have a completed image in my mind before I ever set out to capture the shot.
How long does that process take?
The process can take minutes, hours, days, or even weeks, as long as it takes for me to feel and visualize a new and unique expression of my emotions.
For this image, I spent a few days putting the shot together in my head, picked a day for the shoot, and prepared my drone for the shot.
Getting the shot
On this morning, I left the house around 5:15 am to head up the coast. I arrived about 6:30 am, unpacked my gear, and headed to a safe place along the cliffs to set up. It was cold, and I was glad I brought my jacket and gloves to keep my body, and hands warm, as unpacked my drone and completed my pre-flight checks. Once the sky began to illuminate with soft, warm light, I turned on Maverick and took off for the Reef.
I approached the Reef with caution and slowly made my way around the rocks searching for the exact composition I had in mind. Once satisfied, I checked my camera settings and began snapping the shutter. Every few shots, I carefully repositioned Maverick trying to improve the composition. After 25 minutes of this, my battery was getting low, so I flew Maverick back to the home point.
I changed the battery and reviewed the shots I captured during the first flight. My results from the first attempt: nothin', nada, zero, not one usable image. "What went wrong," I asked myself. I was a bit perplexed; I had followed my plan but didn't achieve my goal.
I stared at the Reef for minutes, re-evaluating the location Maverick had been positioned. Then it hit me; I could see where I needed to be to get the shot I had visualized. I fired up Maverick, and with new found excitement, flew Maverick to the new location. Snap, snap, snap went the shutter. I quickly reviewed the three shots. Not quite there yet, one more adjustment was needed. Snap, snap, bingo! I fired off several more as the light began to change color. At this point, I knew I captured the perfect composition and the correct light. The only remaining question I asked myself was, "Did I technically nail the shot?" I'll have to wait and see.
The good news was that I did nail the shot, and I'm quite pleased with the outcome. I managed to grab another shot as Maverick was heading back to the home point, and I included it below. Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.
Ciao,
Tony