Drones help photographers reach new heights

New technology's growing appeal sees fresh sense of creativity take flight, Xiang Wenjian and Yan Weijue report in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.

As darkness fell, a drone ascended slowly, its rotors whirring like the wings of a humming bird. It began roving over high-rises, bridges and expressways, and wove its way through dazzling modern and ancient architecture in downtown Wuxi, in Jiangsu province.

This was how Wu Yidi spent his nights ahead of Spring Festival in February, testing out his new "toy"－a DJI Mavic 3 consumer drone－using the 4G network in his hometown.

"I just couldn't wait to have a go at its enhanced image transmission, which is said to have high quality and stability," Wu says.

The trial flights were far from a failure. In fact, the 28-year-old amateur pilot was so enthralled by the much-improved picture quality. It led him to make what would become a popular online video.

On Jan 30, Wu steered the 900-gram vehicle along the route of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and a string of downtown waterways.

In a 28-minute flight, covering roughly 19.7 kilometers, the drone shot stunning footage of the canal from a new perspective, prominently displaying the city's varied bridges, which span multiple eras and architectural styles.

"I chose bridges mainly because there was nothing blocking them," Wu says. "I think it is a great medium to connect the footage and form a complete story."

Wu edited that raw footage into a five-minute video and uploaded it to Bilibili on Feb 3. The site is an online video-sharing platform popular among younger internet users.

The work struck a chord with viewers, garnering tens of thousands of clicks in just three weeks, along with plenty of positive feedback from the community.

"I love it! Chinese cities look great at night," comments Jeffrey Stevens from the United States who once lived in Wuxi.

The video aroused nostalgia among those who share a bond with Wuxi, whether they are current or former residents. "I recognize my childhood neighborhood. But many buildings in my memory have gone now," one Bilibili user comments.

"Night lights bring out the true beauty of our city!" Peter Stanleigh, a Canadian living in Wuxi, posted on Facebook after seeing the video. "After more than 20 years, we still look forward to rediscovering Wuxi's hidden beauty."

The video owed thanks to the extensive 4G network coverage in Wuxi, a symbol of technological development, according to Wu.

The wireless data network is essential for the drone's operation, both in terms of control over long distances and the real-time transmission of images from the camera to the operator.

"I'm proud of my city. It is one of the best in terms of network infrastructure. It is even comparable to first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shenzhen," Wu says.

Motivated by the video's unexpected popularity, Wu says he is planning to produce more drone videos in the future to help raise the profile of his hometown.

"I hope I can show what a Chinese city is really like without any filter," he says. "And I think there is a collective effort being made."

There has been a growing number of drone pilots, amateur and professional, in recent years, due to massive interest in aerial photography.

The domestic market volume of consumer drones in China increased from 12.6 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) in 2015, to an estimated 32.6 billion yuan in 2020, according to Shenzhen-based Qianzhan Industry Research Institute.

The China Media Group got the ball rolling in 2017 with Aerial China, a documentary series, comprising 34 episodes so far, which showcases the country's landscape.

Chief director Yu Le said in a 2017 interview that the bird's-eye perspective gives viewers the experience of flight as well as a sense of freedom.

In one episode of Aerial China which aired in March 2019, footage of cherry blossoms in Yuantouzhu, a famous scenic resort in Wuxi, was sourced locally.

"It came from Xia Jianjie, a member of the Wuxi Aerial Photography Association," says He Qiuhu, chairman of WAPA.

The association was established in late 2018 to provide guidance and a communication platform for its members. It also helps streamline the actions of pilots to meet national and local requirements for drone operation.

Membership has grown from fewer than 100 to some 380 people, with another 200 up for accreditation.

"They come from all walks of life, from government officials and common workers, to college professors and students, with an age range crossing six decades," He says.

One such member is Wang Mingdong, 62, a retired worker from a local radio factory. Wang dabbled in aerial photography in 2017 as a means to enrich his retirement and qualified for association membership two years later.

Wang says his videos have recorded the great changes in Wuxi, especially in its rural areas, which have taken place in recent years under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

One of his works, Bird's Eye View of Yangjian, which depicts the city's Yangjian town, won first prize in a local video contest themed on rural landscapes.

With the ubiquity of drones, the kind of photography that would once have been extremely difficult to obtain is open to all, including people like Wang.

"You're never too old to learn," he says.

Contact the writers at yanweijue@chinadaily.com.cn