Drones expected to take off in Australia this Christmas, but experts warn of dangers

DRONES are changing photography and you can expect to see plenty overhead as they become one of the hottest Christmas gifts on Aussie shopping lists.

LOOK up to the sky this Christmas and you’re bound to see not a bird, not a plane, but a drone.

The remote-controlled aircraft are set to be one of the hottest gifts this holiday season, with research firm Gartner predicting a leap of almost 40 per cent in drone purchases to more than 2.9 million this year.

A boat circles in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Picture: @Ahmedwehbe_

While Australian photographers are among those embracing the new style of aerial photography, they also warn fresh flyers to pay careful attention to laws around getting their camera airborne to avoid a fine, crash, or serious injury.

A drone image of the Opera House in Sydney, Australia. Picture: @dronetrepreneur

Sydney photographer Benjamin Lee, who curates Instagram account Sky Supply, said rapid advances in drone technology had given camera enthusiasts a new take on photography, and made it easier to capture stunning landscape images.

“Drones have enabled us to literally broaden our reach and perspective to see the world in a whole new way,” he said.

“There is something incredible about being able to see everyday things from a higher perspective. Everything looks more spectacular from the air.”

A humpback Whale off of North Bondi during the annual migration. Picture: @farishindii

Award-winning News Corp photographer Toby Zerna said drones put aerial photography within reach of more photography enthusiasts, as even the most expensive models were “cheaper than a helicopter,” and delivered a new way to stand out from the Instagram pack.

“It gives you an edge over other photographers shooting from the ground level,” Mr Zerna said.

An drone image of Stockton Beach and sand dunes. Picture: Supplied/@hotherside

“You might think something will look okay and then you see it from above and it’s like discovering a new aspect to photography for the first time.”

Global Drone Solutions chief executive officer Mahmood Hussein said the increasingly popular flying machines were even kickstarting profitable photography careers for some users, who were selling drone photos and videos to fund their travel.

Places look different from above, including Sydney’s Woodward Water Feature. Picture: @demasrusli

“This is something that is changing photography,” he said. “Young people, in the past, when they wanted to travel around the world they’d work in bars and kitchens. Now some people are going out with a small drone and taking fantastic photographs in these places and selling them on Shutterstock and other platforms.”

But Mr Verna, who took a drone safety course before taking his camera to the skies, warned new photographic flyers to learn Australia’s strict drone laws before test-driving their Christmas presents.

A drone’s eye view of the offshore breakwater in Apollo Bay, Victoria. Picture: Darren Faulkner

Civil Aviation and Safety Authority regulations allow recreational users to fly drones up to 120m in the air within their line of sight, though they must not fly within 30m of people, at night or in fog, in emergency operations, or in restricted airspace.

A drone photograph of Coogee Beach ocean baths, Sydney, Australia. Picture: @Danielnnng

Mr Zerna said drone users should also spend time pre-planning their photographs, consider what they wanted to capture, and think creatively to capture images safely.

Drone image of Riversands Winery in St George, Queensland. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Flying over populated areas is a big no-no but that’s where getting creative is important,” he said.

“To take a photo of people on the beach, rather than shooting over sand, fly over the water and tilt the camera at an angle. There are safe ways to operate and you always have to be prepared in case something fails.”

TOP TIPS FOR DRONE PHOTOGRAPHS

— Check the safety of your location in CASA’s free ‘Can I Fly There?’ app

— Do not fly above 120m or out of your line of sight

— Do not fly a drone within 30m of other people, at night, or in an emergency situation

— Charge drone and remote control batteries completely

— Ensure you have plenty of space on your memory card before lift-off

— Consider patterns, shadows, and the light at the time you’re photographing landscapes

Originally published as Drones expected to take off in Australia this Christmas, but experts warn of dangers