They say everything is about timing. Being in the right place at the right time. No where is that more true than in photography. It’s all about the timing and, more importantly when it comes to outdoor or landscape photography, it’s all about the light.
Overhead, flat, lighting isn’t good for almost any subject. There needs to be at least some shadow to give the image some depth.
The light may be the most important factor to consider, but it’s just one of very many. Equally important is the subject as well, of course.

While most of the images that I’ve been posting have been ‘traditional’ photographs taken at ground level. This time, however, I wanted to put out another image made with my UAV (drone). Most photographers that I know are always looking for new ways to get a different perspective on the images that they make. As challenging as traditional photography can be, it helps to step out of the norm sometimes to spark a new level of creativity. Whether it be underwater, time-lapse or aerial, it helps to ‘mix it up’ from time to time.

Aerial photography and videography bring with them other challenges beyond just getting images or footage. You have to be able to fly the thing for starters. Luckily, that isn’t very difficult these days. Still, to get it into position at the right time can pose some issues.

Also, there is still a bit of a stigma with drones. People are still a little uneasy about them. They shouldn’t be, but they are for some reason.
With this in mind, I’m always quick to explain what the drone is all about, what I’m doing and show anyone around the display and just what the drone is ‘seeing’. This really helps them to get a grasp on the wide angle of the camera and they seem to feel more at ease that it really isn’t capable of ‘spying’ on anyone (not at the altitude that I fly). Most people are really fascinated when they actually get to see one up close and get a look at what it can do.

This image was taken from my DJI Phantom 3 (4k) of a barge being pushed out of the Harvey Locks into the Mississippi river.
From this angle, you can get a really good look at the locks and how everything works…. well, kind of.