From Up Above

“I’ve been living in South Australia my whole life and never new places like this existed. I think part of my purpose is to show people how much amazing stuff there is to see out there, so close to home.” Mr. Bo Le is a drone photographer based in Adelaide, South Australia.

How did you get started with drone photography?

I’ve always had this dream of flying a remote helicopter with a camera, to see everything from a different perspective.  I’ve had about four drones now, and right now I’m flying one of the smallest drone you can get on the market, at the moment. I bought it purely for portability.

What kind of drone are you currently using?

The DJiMaverick. It’s really small. The size of a can of coke. With my old drone, the backpack was huge. But with this one, I can just pack it with my water bottle, camera, some maps, and everything I need for the day.

How would you describe your work?

I find new ways of capturing things that look ordinary from the ground.

Tell us about the photograph of the Botanical Gardens, it looks surreal.

Recently, we were up in the Adelaide hills and I had seen photos of Botanical Gardens there. So, I sent my drone up and was just amazed. Autumn had started to roll in and the place looked like a magical forest with all the colors and trees. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was like Willy Wonka’s factory.

How do you know where to go to shoot?

I like to drive with my phone open to google maps. That way I can see what’s up above. I look for interesting patterns or compositions. Then I’ll pull over and send the drone up in the air to take a few photos. Recently I read about this ship graveyard, ships from the Great Depression. When I sent the drone up there to scout the area, I was so surprised that they were right there, so close to my house. I’ve been living in South Australia my whole life and never new places like this existed. I think part of my purpose is to show people how much amazing stuff there is to see out there, so close to home.

What is the biggest challenge, in your opinion, of shooting with a drone?

These days, drones have many safety features built into them. For instance, if they run out of batteries, they automatically fly back home. But still, the biggest challenge of using a drone is probably battery life. I’ve got to be careful and chose my spots selectively.

What do you take with you when you head out on the road?

My phone, my drone, a normal camera, and a friend.

Where are you off to next?

Heading to Sydney to shoot with some people. And then I’m hoping to explore more of South Australia.