In a competition by Civil Aviation Authority, hundreds of pilots of drones from across the UK entered photos featuring breathtaking winter scenes, city centres, and coastal views.
Some images were shot in the morning, while others featured snowy backgrounds. Other images focused on landmarks, such as Menai’s suspension bridge and Glenfinnan’s railway viaduct.
CAA (the regulators of the sky) wants to encourage drone owners to use their planes sensibly and not endanger civil or commercial aviation.
An expert panel selected four winning images from more than 800 to show what it is possible to do while adhering with the rules.
Photographs were judged on four criteria: urban day and night, countryside, Christmas, and christmas.
Andy Wells took the overall winning photo. He flew his drone high above Poole’s roundabout at night. Because of the slow shutter speed, the photo created special effects. The cars left a trail of light as they used the roundabout. The contrast was striking in comparison to the area surrounding it, which had no movement.
Andy Wells captured this photo of the roundabout at Poole in Dorset, night. It shows the stark contrast between dark and light areas.
Normally, a drone is not allowed to fly at the runway’s end. But Manston Airport in Kent was used as an enormous lorry parking lot. Andy Betts captured the image of these trucks as they were being held up before making their way to Dover.
Glen Cairns had his drone in place when the steam train crossed Glenfinnan Railway Viduct. His drone was placed far enough from the viaduct to capture the entire scene. He also had enough elevation so that you could see Loch Shiel behind him. This photo won the award for best rural image
Steve Banner captured Little Haywood in Staffordshire, December 2010. The train contrasts against the snowy background. It was awarded the Best Christmas Photograph
Matt Hoyland flew his drone over the Menai Strait, North Wales, looking west over the Menai Suspension Bridge over to Anglesea and the Irish Sea showing some menacing looking clouds in the background. Members of the NATS (the UK’s principal air traffic control service provider) selected this image. The image will be placed at key points in the UK’s air traffic control system.
A panel of judges included Sir Stephen Hillier, CAA Chair; Anna Henly (a professional photographer who is also a drone pilot) and Tim Robinson, editor at the Royal Aeronautical Society Aerospace magazine.
Images were taken from an altitude of below 400 feet. This is the highest limit drones are allowed to fly, without the need for permission from CAA.
Sir Stephen Hillier, Civil Aviation Authority Chair, said: ‘We’ve had over 800 entries and I’ve been absolutely amazed at the high standards that we have seen. We are proud of what this amazing technology can do. Sponsoring a competition such as this is important because it promotes responsible drone usage and helps ensure drones are fully integrated within our airspace.
Jonathan Nicholson, Assistant Director of Communications at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: ‘We’ve been really impressed by the stunning images submitted to the #ShotOnMyDrone competition. This shows how engaged and enthusiastic the community is. We know drones will be a popular way to explore and take photos in the UK. Of course, as this community grows, it’s key is that we continue to make sure that users comply with our Dronecode, wherever they may be flying, to share our airspace safely.’
Steve Banner captured this image and won the award for best festive photo
The images were all taken below 400ft, as this is the highest altitude a drone can fly without permission from CAA.
CAA wants the competition to promote responsible drone use with flyers adhering the Drone Code
The image depicts the amazing evening sky over the snowy hills. Yasnin Millers took it and it was among the 800 submitted images for the competition.
Sam Clark snapped this image of an unusual mark in some crops.
Paul Smith captured long shadows of the sun from his drone by placing it above the jetty.
Bill Nicoll took the photo of the valley that had seen the sun breaking through the clouds.
Seth Thomas decided that he would fly his drone over this winter scene, and then shoot the image straight down through the barren trees.
Steve Banner flew his drone high above the large tree, which is black in comparison to the white ground.