As I'm browsing the forums today, I took a look all the threads of photos and videos from all over the world, and it really made me appreciate what this hobby is doing. For really the first time, we are sharing every day images taken in the sky.
Now let me clarify: Every Day Images.
It wasn't that long ago, less than a decade, to get aerial photos you needed access to an airplane or helicopter. This came generally at huge expense, in the thousands of dollars per hour, and so each photo was carefully planned to get the highest value out of that shoot. This was reserved for a privileged few professionals, or those with significant financial resources.
Enter drones. Now for a much lower cost, getting a bird's eye view became accessible to many. An Inspire in its entirety costs less than 30 minutes of even the cheapest helicopter shoot. A Phantom costs less than most DSLR cameras and produces amazing photos and video IN THE SKY. You could plan more generally, you could be more bold, try something that might not work because the financial cost is so small. Indie filmmakers could add aerial footage to their student films. Hobbyists can get previously inaccessible perspectives. Re-shoot times because it is just electricity, not thousands of dollars of fuel.
But even then, they are not cheap enough for every day, as size has a price. The purchase price is now within many budgets, but the physical price is not. Because of their size, they are not an every day item. You still plan your shots with them. Even if you have no specific shot in mind, you had to think "hey this beach might be worth me lugging this giant Phantom backpack around all day". If you are travelling by air, you need to decide if the picture you might get are worth the cost of baggage fees. For those who aren't pros, it usually isn't worth it.
The photographer Chase Jarvis is famously quoted as saying "the best camera is the one you have with you". Your 1DX at home is not better than the iPhone you have with you. As such, the Inspire, the Phantom, a SW1000 with a Red Epic on board are all terrible cameras if you leave it at home, or are unwilling to lug them with you.
Enter Spark. All of a sudden you have a pretty good camera on a drone that flies really well, for a price that is below most airline tickets, in a size that you can stuff into a purse. You can not only take it with you, you can keep it with you.
I have a Phantom 3 Advanced. Is it a better drone and camera than the Spark? Yes. Is it in the seat next to me right now? No.
Which brings me back to Every Day Photos.
There is often criticism for people posting images with no apparent subject, or a boring image. Poorly composed, etc. Those people miss the point of what Spark brings us. Truly, for the first time ever, we have the ability to share the shared human experience in a way as never before.
Just today, a video was posted from Hyderabad, India. Was it amateur in the technical details? Yes (it was after all his first video). Did I think it is awesome? You bet! You see, I have never been to India. And if I went, I don't know that I would visit Hyderabad. And if I did, I highly doubt I would visit that appartment block, opting instead for the tourist attractions in the city. But what I would miss is that while I am a world away in Toronto, it is astonishing to see that without the context of the title, that could be any city, even Toronto. City life is similar the world over, our shared experience.
Another video recently of an air vent from a rail tunnel, I think in the UK somewhere. I have never been to Europe, and when I go I can guarantee I'd never go seeking such a vent. But would I go seeking such a thing here? Yes! The shared experience.
These videos were not "cinematic" in nature (what does that really mean, anyway?) but that doesn't matter. Our eyes don't see the world in 24p with a 180° shutter. That is not how we experience things. We don't often hear music when we see something interesting. We don't float along capturing our world in dreamy slow Mo.
One of the best documentaries I have seen is called "Life in a Day", by Ridley Scott. The entire thing is user-submitted video, all on the same calendar day. Literally every country is represented. Is any of the video professional? No. Is it incredibly insightful? Yes, you see we are all the same. It is beautiful because of it. Check it out. Spark has done for aerial photos what smartphones did to regular stills and video, which is what allowed this film to be made.
So, for all of you who are newbies, for all of you who just took up photography, or drones, for those who are amateurs. Keep sharing. Don't worry if it isn't as good as others. Be proud of your work, be proud of what you see. Share your experiences. Show us your local park. Show us your ski video. Show us your dog chasing a ball, show us what YOU SEE. That is the whole point.
And to the pros: lighten up. Appreciate the world around you for what it is. You will see there is a lot more worth shooting. So shoot it. Exoerience it. Share it.
And that is why the Spark is the best drone.
TL;DR: Spark is the best because it can be carried everywhere, letting people share everything.
PS: yes this could apply just as well to Mavic Air, but Spark is much cheaper and arguably more portable.
PPS: Life in a Day:
Now let me clarify: Every Day Images.
It wasn't that long ago, less than a decade, to get aerial photos you needed access to an airplane or helicopter. This came generally at huge expense, in the thousands of dollars per hour, and so each photo was carefully planned to get the highest value out of that shoot. This was reserved for a privileged few professionals, or those with significant financial resources.
Enter drones. Now for a much lower cost, getting a bird's eye view became accessible to many. An Inspire in its entirety costs less than 30 minutes of even the cheapest helicopter shoot. A Phantom costs less than most DSLR cameras and produces amazing photos and video IN THE SKY. You could plan more generally, you could be more bold, try something that might not work because the financial cost is so small. Indie filmmakers could add aerial footage to their student films. Hobbyists can get previously inaccessible perspectives. Re-shoot times because it is just electricity, not thousands of dollars of fuel.
But even then, they are not cheap enough for every day, as size has a price. The purchase price is now within many budgets, but the physical price is not. Because of their size, they are not an every day item. You still plan your shots with them. Even if you have no specific shot in mind, you had to think "hey this beach might be worth me lugging this giant Phantom backpack around all day". If you are travelling by air, you need to decide if the picture you might get are worth the cost of baggage fees. For those who aren't pros, it usually isn't worth it.
The photographer Chase Jarvis is famously quoted as saying "the best camera is the one you have with you". Your 1DX at home is not better than the iPhone you have with you. As such, the Inspire, the Phantom, a SW1000 with a Red Epic on board are all terrible cameras if you leave it at home, or are unwilling to lug them with you.
Enter Spark. All of a sudden you have a pretty good camera on a drone that flies really well, for a price that is below most airline tickets, in a size that you can stuff into a purse. You can not only take it with you, you can keep it with you.
I have a Phantom 3 Advanced. Is it a better drone and camera than the Spark? Yes. Is it in the seat next to me right now? No.
Which brings me back to Every Day Photos.
There is often criticism for people posting images with no apparent subject, or a boring image. Poorly composed, etc. Those people miss the point of what Spark brings us. Truly, for the first time ever, we have the ability to share the shared human experience in a way as never before.
Just today, a video was posted from Hyderabad, India. Was it amateur in the technical details? Yes (it was after all his first video). Did I think it is awesome? You bet! You see, I have never been to India. And if I went, I don't know that I would visit Hyderabad. And if I did, I highly doubt I would visit that appartment block, opting instead for the tourist attractions in the city. But what I would miss is that while I am a world away in Toronto, it is astonishing to see that without the context of the title, that could be any city, even Toronto. City life is similar the world over, our shared experience.
Another video recently of an air vent from a rail tunnel, I think in the UK somewhere. I have never been to Europe, and when I go I can guarantee I'd never go seeking such a vent. But would I go seeking such a thing here? Yes! The shared experience.
These videos were not "cinematic" in nature (what does that really mean, anyway?) but that doesn't matter. Our eyes don't see the world in 24p with a 180° shutter. That is not how we experience things. We don't often hear music when we see something interesting. We don't float along capturing our world in dreamy slow Mo.
One of the best documentaries I have seen is called "Life in a Day", by Ridley Scott. The entire thing is user-submitted video, all on the same calendar day. Literally every country is represented. Is any of the video professional? No. Is it incredibly insightful? Yes, you see we are all the same. It is beautiful because of it. Check it out. Spark has done for aerial photos what smartphones did to regular stills and video, which is what allowed this film to be made.
So, for all of you who are newbies, for all of you who just took up photography, or drones, for those who are amateurs. Keep sharing. Don't worry if it isn't as good as others. Be proud of your work, be proud of what you see. Share your experiences. Show us your local park. Show us your ski video. Show us your dog chasing a ball, show us what YOU SEE. That is the whole point.
And to the pros: lighten up. Appreciate the world around you for what it is. You will see there is a lot more worth shooting. So shoot it. Exoerience it. Share it.
And that is why the Spark is the best drone.
TL;DR: Spark is the best because it can be carried everywhere, letting people share everything.
PS: yes this could apply just as well to Mavic Air, but Spark is much cheaper and arguably more portable.
PPS: Life in a Day:
