Capturing the world around us from above
- Text by Biju Belinky
- Photography by 2017 The Photographers of Dronestagram
![Capturing the world around us from above](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/pg.195_Oskarstro%CC%88m-Sweden-By-anders%40andersa.com.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Humans have always been obsessed with the idea of flying. Endless pieces of fiction telling tales of men soaring higher than birds, able to see the most incredible landscapes from unreachable perspectives – a dream that always seemed to be tentatively close to becoming a reality, but not quite here yet. Sure, we can fly in a aeroplane, but where’s the freedom in that?
Although we are far from flying with our own wings like Icarus, drones have made it possible for everyday people to access unseen views of natural and urban landscapes – from a point of view that until recently was only available at great expense or with exclusive access.
This flying-photography technology, now increasingly popular and affordable, is letting us see landscapes and famous monuments afresh through the hands and eyes of everyday people, who spend their time finding the best way to rediscover the ground we’ve walked on time and time again.
![Miami, USA By iMaerial_com](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pg.82-83_Miami-USA-By-iMaerial_com.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Miami, USA By iMaerial_com
![Saint-Malo, France By Easy Ride](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/p.118-119_Saint-Malo-France-By-Easy-Ride.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Saint-Malo, France By Easy Ride
It was in an attempt to gather these perspectives and create a sense of community that saw Eric Dupin start Dronestagram back in 2013. An image maker himself, Eric realised that the growing number of aerial photographers all over the world meant the birth of a whole new genre of photography – one that had nowhere to be showcased, but with much to show.
Today Dronestagram is the world’s leading drone photography website, boasting a community of over 10,000 members that continues to grow and rediscover the world around them. Although not often talked about, the abilities of quadcopters go far beyond beautiful landscapes and surveillance – drone photographers explore textures, light and shadow, the interaction between wildlife and technology, as well as the art of perspective and dilapidated buildings.
Having a flying camera also makes for great selfie angles, called #dronies by those in the community.
![Oceanside, USA By kdilliard](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/p.244_Oceanside-USA-By-kdilliard.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Oceanside, USA By kdilliard
Dronescapes is a book that shows and discusses all aspects of this newly born art form, featuring images taken by both hobbyists and photographers. At times humorous and romantic and at others extremely serious, looking at devastation caused by climate change or IS, what remains constant throughout is a passion for showing this world we’ve grown used to in a way that is new and unexplored, using distance to bring us closer.
![Rio de Janeiro, Brazil By Alexandre Salem](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pg.40-41_Rio-de-Janeiro-Brazil-By-Alexandre-Salem.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil By Alexandre Salem
![Dubai, UAE By Shoayb Khattab](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/p.212-213_Dubai-UAE-By-Shoayb-Khattab.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Dubai, UAE By Shoayb Khattab
![Lake Guerlédan, France By Nicolas Charles](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pg.167_Lake-Guerlédan-France-By-Nicolas-Charles.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Lake Guerlédan, France By Nicolas Charles
![Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, USA By Romeo Durscher](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pg.189a_Pfeiffer-Beach-Big-Sur-USA-By-Romeo-Durscher.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, USA By Romeo Durscher
![Limbiate, Italy By pescart](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/p.124_Limbiate-Italy-By-pescart.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Limbiate, Italy By pescart
![Guntur, India By Aurobird](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pg.206-207_Guntur-India-By-Aurobird.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Guntur, India By Aurobird
Dronescapades is out on the 21st of April, published by Thames & Hudson.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
![Is skateboarding really a subculture anymore?](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Huck81_Socials_HeroImage_SkateboardingIsNotASubculture_240618_V2-1.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Is skateboarding really a subculture anymore?
With skate’s inclusion in the Olympics, Kyle Beachy asks what it means for the culture around the sport, and whether it’s possible to institutionalise an artform.
Written by: Kyle Beachy
![Autism cannot be cured — stop trying](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/shutterstock_2322534063.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Autism cannot be cured — stop trying
A questionable study into the ‘reversal’ of autism does nothing but reinforce damaging stereotypes and harm, argues autistic author Jodie Hare.
Written by: Jodie Hare
![Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Hashem-Shakeri-from-the-series-_Staring-into-the-Abyss_.-%C2%A9-Hashem-Shakeri.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition
After the success of it’s inaugural run, the festival returns this autumn with exhibitions, education and community programmes exploring a world in constant motion through still image.
Written by: Ben Smoke
![Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/web-Eyanna-has-always-been-Maliks-primary-caregiver.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence
New photobook ‘Say Less’ is a complex yet humanising look into a life wrecked by gun violence and organised crime.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/7_ULTRAMAGNETIC-MCS_NYC-1990.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography
A new exhibition brings together Janette Beckman’s visionary and boundary pushing images of an era of cultural change and moral panic.
Written by: Miss Rosen
![In photos: the dogs of Dogtown](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/saguy_dogtown_02_RGB.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
In photos: the dogs of Dogtown
A new photobook documents Venice Beach’s four legged friends and their colourful cast of owners.
Written by: Isaac Muk