I have been doing nature photography for as long as I’ve seriously held a camera in my hands, and over the course of twenty years, I’ve tried various techniques and methods of shooting. Apart from the familiar landscapes captured with wide‑angle lenses featuring a strong foreground or tight compositions using telephoto lenses, aerial photography stands apart. Not only has it long been firmly established in commercial photography for construction or unconventional event shoots, but it also serves as an excellent technical and scientific tool across various industries.
Ten years ago, a drone in a wildlife photographer’s backpack was seen as a toy or an expensive novelty—a way to see “what it looks like from above.” Today, it is a tool that is definitively becoming part of the workflow, on par with a wide‑angle lens, tripod, or filters. More and more photographers are using drones for nature photography, and this still sparks considerable debate about the integrity of a striking image and ethics, especially when it comes to competitions. It’s easy to dismiss someone else’s achievement by saying, “Oh, that’s because it was taken with a drone!” without considering how many such shots the jury members have seen over the years. But those who don’t fly have no idea how serious, thoughtful, and demanding aerial photography has become. Moreover, repeating a single shot twice is no easy task. The limitations of flight time, technical constraints, and weather conditions instill discipline and teach a responsible approach to seeking out a compelling image.
