The Top Drone Photos and Films of 2017

A visitor submit by Part 107 Pilot and author Kara Murphy.

Year after 12 months, vital enhancements in drone expertise make them extra accessible to creators in any respect talent ranges. Photographers and filmmakers that started off working from ground-level, or chartered helicopters for aerials pictures, are more and more turning to the extra reasonably priced consumer-grade drones to seize distinctive pictures that merely aren’t attainable with bigger, costlier manned plane.

The ingenuity that arises from the improved capabilities drones provide creators by no means fails to astound, and this 12 months was no exception. I’ve compiled the most effective 10 photographs and 5 movies that caught my consideration in 2017. I hope in addition they encourage you to fly extra, discover new locations, and hone your craft.

The Top 10 Drone Photos of 2017

Silas Chau, High Island Reservoir

Hong Kong’s largest reservoir has been the primary topic of many aerial compositions. The method Chau portrays this couple conspicuously skirting alongside the dam’s signature concrete dolosse blocks evokes a particular, modern-day Bonnie and Clyde aesthetic.

Instanusantara People, Sunrise Point Cukul

This ethereal shot, the place fog and daylight coexist harmoniously, was captured at daybreak in Indonesia.

Emilie Brooke, Moreton Island

“There are no words…Pretty glad we made the barge with about 2 Seconds to spare.” Visibly sunken treasures, coupled with vibrant our bodies of water, is a component of what makes Australia a high vacation spot for aerial photographers and filmmakers.

Logan Davidson, Great Salt Lake

While travelling via Utah, “we followed this railroad track for a good 45min not knowing where it would lead….After a few trains had passed we knew we had found something special. It seems that some of my best adventures start with very little planning and simply going for it.” Davidson’s method is stellar recommendation as some of probably the most magical pictures occur accidentally.

Serena Coady, Sapphire Coast

Coady had solely been flying her drone for 2 months when this picture was taken, proving that typically timing actually is every little thing.

Kyle Hulse, Minocqua, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin-based industrial distant pilot caught “a handcrafted wooden kayak moving through patches of lily pads” and made an ideal masterpiece.

Kristina Makeeva, Neuschwanstein Castle

This picturesque, oft-photographed fairytale fort is very beautiful when surrounded by peak fall foliage.

Mike Bishop, Iceland

“What do you see? The tree of life? Glacial meltwater flows into the ocean through a river mouth. For an idea of the scale of this river spot the tiny car driving across the bridge.” This picture was taken with an reasonably priced Phantom four Pro, proving talent and creativeness are nonetheless probably the most crucial stipulations for creating transcendent works of artwork. Shooting in an otherworldly place like Iceland helps too.

Travis Burke with edits by Chelsea Yamase, Arizona

Photographer Travis Burke captured this overhead picture of The Wave, a wondrously textured sandstone rock formation, whereas Chelsea Yamase, a world traveller, put a artistic spin on it with some colourful, imaginative edits.

Borsch, Central Air Force Museum

The Russian photographer requested his followers to caption this picture. His preliminary contribution, “Last Battle,” is clearly probably the most becoming.

Honorable point out: Reuben Wu

Most of Wu’s work is created at eye-level. Even so, when he flies a drone, the attitude he captures, together with these photo voltaic evaporation ponds in Moab, Utah, is highly effective. The composition, framing, temper, and narrative conveyed in each picture he takes provides you with pause — in the easiest way conceivable. I extremely suggest taking a second to view his Behance and Instagram accounts of their entirety.

The Top 5 Drone Videos of 2017

Ilko Iliev, 2D RUN – MMP three (Mixed Motion Project)

Watching this good movie’s protagonist ultimately lose steam after executing a collection of death-defying stunts, on the run, is exhilarating. It’s unsurprising that 2D RUN gained high prizes in any respect the main drone movie festivals this 12 months.

Nurk, Flight of the Year

Paul “Nurk” Nurkalla’s notorious video, the place he unexpectedly encounters a prepare on a routine flight, and decides to constantly one-up each final stunt, drew equal elements reward and criticism throughout the Internet. Zoe Stumbaugh, one other revered FPV pilot, requested him some robust questions in individual on the third annual Flying Robot worldwide Film Festival. Read about it, right here.

Inva + Sla, Marinière

With Marinière, Athanasia Lykoudi and Nestoras Inva Kechagias, a duo of movement graphic designers best-known as Inva + Sla, proceed their streak of creating beautiful, mind-bending movies of their house nation of Greece. Read about their artistic course of on this profile from iQ by Intel.

Blackbeard, Stone Giants Join The Rebellion

If there’s one video (apart from Flight of the Year) that exemplifies the shut proximity drones can fly to things in contrast with manned plane, it’s this one. Tie within the fantastically tranquil soundtrack, additionally created by the pilot, and you’ve received a blissful desert flight.

Daniel Riley, Winter Wonderland

Forget filming, mastering lighting and visible results in post-production can flip odd material into one thing surreal. Riley’s successful entry for Los Angeles Drone Film Festival’s Landscape and Architecture class makes you’re feeling such as you’re floating via a Winter Wonderland.

Honorable point out: Vic Moss

If you didn’t journey to some extent within the path the place the moon fully obscured the solar for over two minutes, this previous August, otherwise you need to revisit the expertise from the consolation of your individual house, watch Moss’ Eclipse Totality in Arnold, NE. Using a DJI Mavic Pro, the Drone U grasp replicated the whole expertise on this quick clip. It could not have a soundtrack or narrative, but it surely’s expertly crafted so that you get the complete impact with out rising stressed.

If you’re on the lookout for a continuing stream of inspiration, together with some useful tutorials from high consultants, I extremely suggest becoming a member of the From Where I Drone neighborhood. For these seeking to enhance their picture modifying expertise in Lightroom, and delve into mapping, Randy Jay Braun and Stacy Garlington are returning in 2018 with DJI Aerial Photo Academy. Tickets are inclined to promote out quick so act now for those who see an occasion in your metropolis.

I’ll be again within the New Year with extra recommendations on how you can up your sport in all issues drone. Happy Holidays.

Kara Murphy is a Part 107-certified industrial distant pilot and freelance author residing in Michigan. Follow her aerial imagery on Instagram and be taught extra, right here.