I Didn’t Want To Be That Guy

Jun 15

Before I bought a drone, I kind of thought they were annoying.

You know, you hear the hum and wonder where it's coming from? You're more distracted by what that guy is doing while you're just trying to enjoy being outside. I didn't want to be that person. And that sat with me for quite a while.

But I kept seeing these amazing images from other photographers. Perspectives that no hike or telephoto lens could reach. Abstract patterns in the landscape you can only see from above. Slowly but surely I found myself justifying my impending purchase. I started thinking about it as a tool, and if I used it in an ethical way, maybe it'd be okay.

So last November, I got one.

I've had it for months, but it wasn't until my recent trip to western Nebraska that I really started to understand what it could do. The landscape out there was perfect for it. Wide open, no one around.

From the air, you start noticing things like how water cuts through dry ground and the geometry of it all. Things you miss from the road.

Which brings me to Devils Den Canyon.

I'd stopped there last year and struggled to get a good vantage point. Most of it is fenced off, likely private property, and it's a large enough area that walking it just isn't feasible. This time I had the drone. I thought, this is exactly what it's for.

I got some cool shots from above. And then I went a little too low into the canyon and lost signal.

When a drone loses signal, you can program it to "Return to Home" and that's how I had mine set up. On its way home, I watched the camera feed go blurry. You know that wobbly, spinning image you've seen in movies when something goes wrong? The drone went still. I tried nudging the controls to see if anything responded and it just wiggled like something caught in a trap. It wasn't going anywhere.

I clicked the find-my-drone feature on the controller. The map showed me a general area, but not enough to actually see where it landed. So I just started walking toward the arrow, back and forth across the field, narrowing in, getting closer. The arrow led me to a fenced area between two communication towers. I hopped the fence. Yikes! Yes, I know...

There was a crew working on one of the towers, so I walked across the field to let them know what I was doing. There weren't any "no trespassing" signs posted, but I still felt I shouldn't be in the area. Again, I felt like "That Guy" but they were great about it. One even went into the secured section of the tower to check if the drone had landed in there. It hadn't.

I turned on the drone's built-in beeping locator and just listened.

And then I heard it.

It was in the field, not the canyon. It looked like the drone had clipped a cable near the tower on its way back. The crash detection was on, but apparently it can't always detect a wire that thin or maybe the signal from the tower messed with it. Either way, I couldn't believe I actually found it. I thought for sure it was gone. The crew couldn't believe it either. They seemed genuinely happy I found it. One even asked if I would post about it and asked for my Instagram handle. That was pretty cool.

The drone was damaged, but I had DJI Care coverage. I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew DJI was a foreign-owned company and had no idea what their customer service would be like. It was only about three weeks before our Iceland trip and I was already preparing not to bring it. The website warned of a 60–90 day turnaround for repairs, so I was relieved when they said they were sending a replacement instead. I had it in less than a week. My opinion of them changed completely.

Just over the last month, I've become attached to this drone. It gives me the ability to see the landscape differently, the scale, the patterns, the perspective. I don't consider it better than what I was doing before, just new.

And just like with a camera in my hand, I'm always considering what I'm affecting around me. Whether I'm watching out not to disturb flowers under my feet, or people and animals from above, that part doesn't change.

I'm also curious your stance on all of this. Drone photography gets some strong reactions, and I wonder how people in my circle feel about it. Here's a question that relates:

Is there a tool or technology you resisted at first but eventually came around to? What changed your mind?

I'd love to hear yours.

Pam Whisenhunt

As a digital photographer rooted in the heart of the Midwest, I’m inspired by the changing seasons that define this region. Born and raised in the Midwest and a Nebraska resident since 1994, my work reflects my love for the Heartland. I’ve had the privilege of documenting the world around me, from the raw energy of heavy metal and punk music scenes to the quiet beauty of the natural world.

After retiring from the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2020, I turned to photography as a way to connect with the music community in small venues around Lincoln. I started photographing concerts, but soon expanded my focus to landscapes.

The Midwest’s natural beauty, wide-open spaces, shifting weather patterns, and unhurried pace, provides an endless source of inspiration for me. I embrace the challenges of photographing all seasons, knowing each offer something unique.

I aim to create images that provide viewers a glimpse into the beauty and tranquility I feel when I’m in nature. Although I love to travel and find inspiration in new places, Nebraska

remains my home base, a constant reminder of the beauty that can be found in the familiar.

https://pamwhisenhuntphotography.com

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