Reviewing the vast photographic blogs and Instagram, I realised that while most photographers use the tried and tested method of conventional cameras, there has been a ‘Rise of Drones’ (No- it’s not some Sci-Fi movie for you movie buffs) for some out of this world images, taken from the sky. Unless you are living under a rock, Drones’ popularity has catapulted in recent years and with that, a new art form of drone photography has emerged – offering the photographic community some serious aerial shots of the globe.

With my blog pretty much set up (after a tumultuous month of figuring out the intricacies of web development), I am ready for the next phase in my photojournalism journey. I have thus decided that it is time for me to purchase a drone to develop my skills and broaden my photographic knowledge.

There are various factors to consider before purchasing a drone. The most important bit will be to ensure you are registered or have a drone license depending on the drone you purchase. Living in the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the statutory body that oversees and regulates all aspects of civil aviation and has launched its Dronesafe.UK website to ensure hobbyist or commercial users can easily access the information they need about how to fly their drones safely and legally, without endangering others. If you are not located in the UK and would like to understand the local legislation on drones in your country, I would recommend the Drone Regulations‘ website, to avoid any run-ins with the local law.

There is a lot of information on the Dronesafe.UK website but the key takeaway for a hobbyist (in my opinion) here will be the weight of the drone. If the drone has a flying weight of under 250g you will be able to fly it without needing to undergo a drone licence training. Anything above 250g, then you will need a drone licence. If you have decided to opt for a drone weighing above 250g then please ensure you have the appropriate documentation per Civil Aviation Authority‘s website.

Once you have sorted the legislative requirements, the fun begins in your search for a perfect (it’s relative based on one’s budget) drone to meet one’s need. There are various factors to consider, ranging from flying time, batteries, flight range, camera, first-person view, GPS, speed, support, etc. The key consideration for me will be the drone’s camera specs. With a budget of nothing more than a thousand quid (£1K), I have whittled my options down to 3 drones – DJI Mavic Mini, Parrot Anafi & DJI Mavic Air 2. More research needs to be done, comparisons completed, and the decision to be made  – more to follow.