Drone Journalism

Drone Journalism
By Jack Freer | Posted Feb. 28, 2014 | Gardnerville, Nevada

I started using a small unmanned aerial system, or drone, which carried the even smaller GoPro HERO 3 camera for aerial photography to supplement my iReport and other projects. My first use of the DJI Phantom multirotor was July 4, 2013 just a few days after I received it to cover a large wildfire burning in the hills behind my neighborhood.

It was easy to use and the quality of my aerial photography keeps getting better the more I fly and the more I photograph. I am not involved in aerial photography for any commercial purposes and I am not employed by any news agency and I do not sell any of my aerial photographs so I can operate the UAS as a hobbyist. And right now, I find it extremely rewarding to be on the leading edge of this technology.

Photo of the DJI Phantom with GoPro camera returning from taking aerial photos of the Bison wildland fire July 4, 2013.

Aerial view of the Bison wildland fire July 4, 2013.

Photo of the Phantom at Caples Lake while taking aerial photos for an article on the California drought.

Aerial view of the low water at Caples Lake for an article on the California drought.

Aerial view of the low water at Silver Lake for an article on the California drought.

Aerial view of Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, CA and the casinos at Stateline, NV for another article on the California drought and lack of snow at Lake Tahoe.