Re: Hints & Tips for keeping the peace? Avoiding Confrontat
Here's some more food for thought:
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Practice getting used to the “field of view”. How much can be seen from what altitude. It’s what professional photographers instinctively know about each of their lenses. Be real about the legal distances when approaching People, Buildings and Things. The law as I understand it, when not in those No Go Zones – is 30 meters by Australian Standards / 50 meters in the UK? I believe this is the same for recreational boats. I could be wrong.
Whilst videographers would benefit from thinking ahead, imo Photographing with a Flying Camera possess to be more invasive. It’s the stationary moments that give cause for alarm. Think of it this way … It’s like going from a rather unobtrusive Toy Helicopter making the odd pass over this or that – but then suddenly the toy pulls up midair like an alien space craft scanning the occupants below.
It’s as good as you yourself suddenly transforming from the copter bearing down with your over sized DSLR, telescopic lens and all! Or a group of tourists unloading off a bus – midair - “arrrr hello … may we take your picture?” – snap, snap, snap and Snap! – “TY & Bye Bye” Engaging switch one, disable GPS –> Adios … “Thanks for participating”.
I’m not saying this is what one should do. I’m more meaning how it can appear whilst reaming within the legal distance. It’s all in the approach. How we fly can greatly affect people as much as birds. In fact if you’re into nature photography, adopting the same approach with people is an excellent way to avoid unnecessary conflict.
I understand the attraction of asking permission, but just as with nature, the best subjects are those captured in their natural state; not those on show. We get enough pretending as it is. I would never of caught of image asking for permission or even offering umpteen amount of $$$.
So then – how to avoid appearing like some eccentric photographer flying around on a teapot? Stealth! If you’re familiar with stealth camping and the Youtube Vids, then you will know how useful some basic avoidance tips can be! Stealth camping is NOT about breaking the Law. Just as I tend to box this or that crowed, so too has the meaning of “Stealth Camping” been miss understood. Think of it more as the minimalist approach where the least amount of impact is your goal!
Common sense is good advice at the best of times; however this post/article is more about refining such sensibilities to ensure the least amount of attention, conflict and more over ensuring respect.
Here are some tips with just that in mind.
Learn to fly long distance!
If they can’t see you, they can’t find you. Again – if you want natural shots, you’re not going to get them if you’re seen to be taking snaps. The more you learn to fly at distance, the easier it is to avoid confrontation. Things to keep in mind when flying long distance -
Keep line of sight! This will ensure a stronger signal. Using Binoculars is great for keeping visual contact. I have recently discovered that using my DSRL camera combined with my old achromatic refractors, (telescope) - hooked up to a tablet display with a camera app, gives excellent control for skirting tree tops several hundred meters away.
I have some demo footage I can maybe show later. The truth is, I only discovered this other day and need to practice this method the same way I learned to fly – baby steps. What I have been able to achieve at 1.68km is proving to show just how versatile this drone can really be. Instead of being bounded by the politics – I much prefer to exercise the limits taking into account the minimalist approach.
Sorry this is not all in point form.
Other things to consider when at distance:
How many people are out and about? What they are doing and what’s your altitude in both relation your drone being heard and seen. The more people about, the more distractions for them.
What kind of activities are they doing – people in motor boats rarely look up if your point of view in not directly in front of them. Such a point is also something to consider with everyone. What is the direction they are focused towards in relation to your approach? What kind of noise is in their environment – how windy it is – what’s the traffic like and time of day.
You can reduce the noise level of your drone dramatically by flying slowly. Avoid sudden movements and coming down fast. The next time you go out, practice flying quietly – I think you will be suppressed at just how much quitter is can be. A smooth run at 400 ft – whilst no doubt audible to you as you listen out, is not as intrusive as a truck climbing a hill, or depending on the current wind speed as loud as wind rustling leaves. Picking active times and flying smoothly over an active route can actually allow for a stealth flight in the smallest of communities. Public places are often busy – use that to your advantage and ask yourself what’s taking place as well as what obstruction on your proposes flight path. What are the expected subjects at the other end and what they might be doing? Again how low, remind yourself what your noise level with be Vs activity – what yours and theirs approach and so on.
Using a booster app such as Vision + Utility Pro with all batteries full charged and understanding the many variables that affect radio range can help you set up with confidence from the start. Always best to underestimate your distance on any given day, but knowledge is key to covering the most distance and setting up well protected home points.
I learned how to fly long distance through being in a prime location and having plenty of time! Long distance flying is a whole learning curve in itself.
Using Google Maps.
When aiming for distance to avoid people, “look for obstacles that might get in your line of sight”. Using Satellite Mode is useful for ascertaining basic environmental conditions; however look for “features that show topography”. Picking a home position that is higher than you intended target will often yield longer distances with more camera control. Always keep line of sight.
Losing spotters -
To make things difficult for those people who choose to follow your drone back to its home point, (it happens) I advise using altitude as your first priority. I find the highest legal height more than adequate to lose most people looking. There are many decals one can also purchase to help assist with such a ploy – Using a pair of binoculars on a regular basis combined with the onscreen information and live compass bearing will with time and practice make spotting your drone as easy as star hopping.
I’m telling you this because I have had various people follow my drone like so – Whilst flying too high may attract unwanted attention from authorities, flying too low in built up areas will attract a new breed of stalkers. Those that stalk drone pilots!
You have to know the grey areas and learn the triggers. Flying in a Central Business District will most definitely have you limited to flying in parks; however I have seen some awesome vids and would love to do just that. I think someone could right an awesome guide in flying missions in the city.
I can only imagine how much harder it would be for someone in the city to track a well bunkered drone pilot. Having said that though, I have no idea how limited signal would be in such a built up area.
At the end of the day, if you keep within the limits and have visual line of sight and learn well how to fly at distance with some of the tips I have mentioned and always strive to fly low key – I think such a mindset not only avoids confrontation, but also gets the best footage and captures.
The only thing I can add to this, now having reached my own minds limit – is once you have your footage/shots (get to know your batteries well) – is climb to an altitude that’s hard for others to see – remember decals but I think for me unneeded at this point – if wind allows and your skill set is good – flick into Atti Mode and high tail it out of there, with a slow and quiet approach as you bring it into home.
I don’t expect people to like hints and tips – but I do hope some of you found something in that with regards to remaining low key and avoiding confrontation.
I do on occasion walk out amongst the people taking photos randomly, however I am just getting sick of all the sly remarks regarding my camera and also the number of confrontations. If they can’t see me, they can’t complain and that works for me.
But don't forget you did start it :lol: 
