Stunning drone images capture the nation’s beauty from the skies

Stunning images taken using drones have captured the beauty of Australia from high above.

These pictures of waterfalls, beaches and rugged landscapes have been snapped by self-taught photographers who started using drones as a hobby.

Drones fitted with cameras are becoming incredibly popular, not only with photographers, but also lifesavers, farmers, and emergency services where they are fast becoming indispensable tools.

‘The Mona Vale Pool is one of my favourite spots, it looks like nothing from ground level but once you look down from above the pool and wave formations morph into an abstract scene and completely change your perspective of what is otherwise a standard location,’ photographer Gab Scanu said 

This photo is  Coal Cliff Bridge down towards Wollongong also using the DJI Phantom 3 a few years back.

‘This shot was taken on Coal Cliff Bridge down towards Wollongong also using the DJI Phantom 3 a few years back,’ Gab said

A photo of the striking red cliffs of Cape Leveque in The Kimberly on the northern coast of Western Australia 

A photo of the striking red cliffs of Cape Leveque in The Kimberly on the northern coast of Western Australia 

This photo of sunbathers enjoying a clear day was taken last summer at Smiths Beach, south of Perth in Western Australia 

This photo of sunbathers enjoying a clear day was taken last summer at Smiths Beach, south of Perth in Western Australia 

Kyle Gillespie from Komocean Photography, based in Perth, has been shooting with drones for about four years after initially using helicopters to take aerial pictures. 

‘I couldn’t beat the convenience of having a drone and getting an image whenever I wanted and at certain times of day like sunrise and sunset,’ Mr Gillespie told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘Like with most of my photography journey it started out as a hobby and a way to keep myself busy.’

‘I originally started photography after a sporting injury. Taking images of the surf and beach landscapes, just to show my love of where I grew up and had the best memories from.’

'The image was taken at castle rock in Dunsborough in the south west during summer where you get this bright blue crystal clear water and deep red rocks along the shoreline creating a contrast between each other,' photographer Kyle Gillespie said 

‘The image was taken at castle rock in Dunsborough in the south west during summer where you get this bright blue crystal clear water and deep red rocks along the shoreline creating a contrast between each other,’ photographer Kyle Gillespie said 

This was taken at Fremantle Boat harbour in the middle of winter the day after some bushfire burn offs took place creating this deep orange and red sunrise, I was initially looking for dolphins after seeing a few swim by before the sunrise really starting showing all its colour," photographer Kyle Gillespie said 

This was taken at Fremantle Boat harbour in the middle of winter the day after some bushfire burn offs took place creating this deep orange and red sunrise, I was initially looking for dolphins after seeing a few swim by before the sunrise really starting showing all its colour,’ photographer Kyle Gillespie said 

A eucalypt forest outside of Perth Western Australia taken earlier this year showing the size of the giant trees compared to a person 

A eucalypt forest outside of Perth Western Australia taken earlier this year showing the size of the giant trees compared to a person 

A shot of cliffs near Broome in Western Australia showing the deep orange of the soil contrasting with the blue of the ocean and green of vegetation 

A shot of cliffs near Broome in Western Australia showing the deep orange of the soil contrasting with the blue of the ocean and green of vegetation 

Kyle is frequently asked for prints of his shots and has also received requests to shoot people’s ‘favourite beaches’. 

Not all drones are equal, however, so if you’re thinking of buying one for yourself or someone else over the holiday period there are several factors to consider before handing over your cash.

In terms of price, you could be looking at anywhere between $100 for an entry-level stocking filler, to $2000 for a mid-range model, and up to $10,000 for a top of the line professional drone with a 4K camera.

The type of pictures that drones can capture depend mainly on the camera being used and the quality of parts, including the lens, which affects resolution.

Older drones may have been restricted to standard high definition pictures but most mid-level and higher drones these days will be able to shoot in crystal clear 4K resolution.

Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory taken by Tasmanian based photographer Jason Futrill 

Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory taken by Tasmanian based photographer Jason Futrill 

A shot of Table Cape Tulip Farm on the north western coast of Tasmania in spring with the flowers in full bloom 

A shot of Table Cape Tulip Farm on the north western coast of Tasmania in spring with the flowers in full bloom 

RULES FOR DRONES

You must not fly above 120 metres and must keep a direct line of sight. 

You must not fly your drone near emergencies such as car crashes, firefighting, and search and rescues.  

You can only fly drones during the day. 

You must not operate your drone in restricted areas such as near airports. 

You must not fly above crowded areas such as sporting events and beaches. 

Also affecting the pictures will be the ability of the camera to rotate, which is made possible by the gimble – a support attachment that can tilt to varying degrees.

Battery life is another point of difference with the more expensive models.

Cheaper drones may be only able to fly for 10 minutes before they need to return to base and recharge, while the professional versions can fly anywhere up to an hour.

More expensive drones also often come with features that make them easier to fly such as automatic stabilisation and obstacle avoidance, while the cheaper versions can be trickier to master. 

Lastly, the distance a drone can fly from base has an impact. For example, the industry leading DJI Mavic models can transmit quality pictures from as far away as seven kilometres. 

'Watching these guys dance was something else,' the photographer said of this group of whales in the water near Byron Bay 

‘Watching these guys dance was something else,’ the photographer said of this group of whales in the water near Byron Bay 

Mount Tinbeerwah near Noosa in south east Queensland showing the sun's rays lighting up the fire tower on the summit 

Mount Tinbeerwah near Noosa in south east Queensland showing the sun’s rays lighting up the fire tower on the summit 

A container ship being unloaded at Port Adelaide with the photographer, Bo Lee, saying he liked 'how the different coloured containers make a very interesting pattern almost like lego bricks' 

A container ship being unloaded at Port Adelaide with the photographer, Bo Lee, saying he liked ‘how the different coloured containers make a very interesting pattern almost like lego bricks’ 

'This shot was taken in Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley - it's South Australia's most famous wine region and there are these iconic palm trees that line the road,' photographer Bo Lee said 

‘This shot was taken in Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley – it’s South Australia’s most famous wine region and there are these iconic palm trees that line the road,’ photographer Bo Lee said 

 

   

  

 

 

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