Drone dad’s lens antics soars to new heights

‘DRONE Dad’ Gerhard Britz is beautifying social media platforms and showcasing the beauty of the Upper South Coast and inland landscapes with his stunning bird-eye-view photography and footage.

The somewhat amateur photographer has allowed many more people to partake in the iconic sardine run this year, thanks to his stunning images captured with his drone.

His Instagram (@dronedad81) images of a mother whale and her calf frolicking down the coastline proved a hit on social media.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk8aOeFlf5m/?hl=en&taken-by=dronedad81

Gerhard only began using a drone last July, however, all the while his passion for photography was brewing as he clicked away with his phone and GoPro.

“After seeing the first aerial photos taken with a drone and realising that drones were more accessible than what I had originally thought – as technology improved they were available more cheaply – I was hooked,” he explained. “I love flying, but I like the photos more as it gives one a new perspective on the world around you.”

Gerhard went to school on the Bluff, Dirkie Uys then Durban Academy where he matriculated in 1998. He moved to Toti in 1997. A nine year stint in Pretoria had ocean-loving Gerhard moving back to the coast in 2014. The passionate photographer explained his love for photography.

“I love ordinary camera photography, but drones provide you the edge as you get to capture from angles that are out of bounds to normal cameras,” he said. “In the past you had to fly in a helicopter, at great expense, to get these shots. A simple man like myself could never see these sights.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjvCsWZFpg4/?hl=en&taken-by=dronedad81

Gerhard loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. He explained that he loves seeing the world around him from the sky, and since his droning obsession, his wife has taken keenly to photography and it’s now their favourite hobby.

“I’ve met some incredible people through my photography and that is the best part,” he said. “I’ll never get tired of people enjoying my photos. A good photo should be enjoyed by all who appreciate it.”

His children will surely latch onto his photography passion and also become interested as they grow older. “When I upload videos of my family on YouTube, my children love it and think they are now famous,” he shared.

‘Drone Dad’, as he is known on Instagram, aspires to grow this hobby into a career in the future. “I love showcasing my hometown, Toti. I love showing off her beauty that we too often forget and take for granted,” he said. “I’ve taken photos of the inland and coast, but it’s very clear by the reaction on social media that coast wins, hands down. Though Drakensberg is one of my favourite places.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkJ53zVFmDi/?hl=en&taken-by=dronedad81

This year’s sardine run has proved there is indeed still much life in our oceans. With all the opportunities to capture the iconic event as a seagull would, Gerhard actually admitted that in all his years on the coast, he has always missed the run.

“This year I wanted to see and experience the action through my drone, and I’m so fortunate to have been able to,” he said.
Those wanting to admire the most beautiful perspectives of both the coastline and inland, should join his more than 700 followers by following @dronedad81 on Instagram. If you’d like high res copies of the images to print, call Gerhard on 083-703-9972.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlFAc0JFpql/?hl=en&taken-by=dronedad81

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