Why So Aerial Obsessed?
An online community begins in order to achieve a similar goal, in my community, to post and discuss anything that is drone photography related. r/drone_photography truly captures the motive and brings us photos from different parts of the world. The major reason this community is functioning is because of its user interactions. Every person who stops by this community either asks questions about drones or posts their new experience through photographs.
Bird’s Eye View
Drone photography has significantly changed the world. Drones are a growing passion and occupation, but also have great potential to expand as we move towards a new world of aviation and artificial intelligence. When users gather at r/drone_photography there is always something new to learn. I feel like this online community is a learning experience in itself because of its constantly emerging new technologies. This is exactly why todays drones are so extraordinary. This online community also helps drone hobbyists to share new tips and tricks every time DJI or other brands develop their technology.
The combination of different techniques and high-quality cameras, among many other features, has created an explosion in drone photography. I’ve always imaged what the world from a bird’s view looks like; I have to admit it more than exceeds its expectations. Users on this forum are sharing their photos, drones, techniques, humor, and meeting new people that enjoy the same thing, drone photography!
Participation and Commitment
The main purpose for this online community is for people to go back and forth with ideas and suggestions. If people don’t ask questions the community would be pretty dead, and that’s not why we gather here. However, the r/drone_photography subreddit does not disappoint. Every time I see posts I’m interested in, users are always asking questions either about the drone or the photography technique they used. So, every post I always learn new features or enjoy reading what different people have to contribute.
Gretchen McCulloch discusses in Because Internet about how we remake language at every generation (p. 273). The beauty of aerial photography is that it captures the spirit of all generations. If a user is an amateur or an advanced drone pilot, this community benefits everyone. People are asking for advice on which drone they should purchase to capture specific types of photos.
You never know what hilarious photos a drone might capture while flying and people enjoy humorous photos. In the above screenshot, u/foxFlight2020 posted the image with his funny question, “Leftover trees in a lake…or creepy spiders?” This user got a response from jezzac, “Eerity looks like the Sewer Centipede from the video game Dark Souls 3.” It’s very interesting to watch people’s different imaginations but yet are fun conversation starters.
There are so many beneficial reasons for this online community to function: which drone to buy, see the world from a drone’s view, capture and share photos, or like the screenshot above, u/turnwol7 posted a question on the style of drone photo where they stitch together top down images with horizon photos to make an Interstellar looking view of the ground. I loved how u/BeepBoopBeep3000 responded with, “Inception? ;)”
Drone Photography competitions
sUAS News, the business of drones posted an article on SkyPixel announces winners of its 2020 aerial storytelling contest. DJI co-organized the aerial storytelling contest that attracted more than 26,000 submissions from professional photographers, videographers, aerial enthusiasts and content creators from 136 countries (sUAS News). Even though the drone industry is an emerging occupation among many other uses, there are even competitions for aerial drone photography that is catching the eye of many drone pilots.
