I liked photographing ships before drones made it easy.
Drones have really opened up the possibilities for angles that were previously impossible without very expensive helicopter flights.
The ships themselves are always interesting but the aerial perspective lifts the resulting images to another level, so far beyond the dead, flat sea level photos that are more usual.
Fortunately ship owners also love images that show off their vessels so well.
I always make the effort to make a picture rather than simply taking photos and the marine environment gives a lot to work with in the form of lighting, skies, water textures and bow waves.
With the right composition and lighting, even plain ships can make memorable images and the drone is the key to being able to compose shots that would have been impossible for me before.
Here are a few favourites from some recent flights:
Investigator, a 93 metre oceanographic research vessel coming in at sunrise after a two week offshore voyage.
One of my favourite ships - it makes a picture from any angle.
Laust Maersk, a 266 metre container ship. The jumble of container stacks usually makes these ships visually interesting subjects.
FPMC B 103, not a glamour ship and unimaginatively named, this 254 metre bulk carrier is a real workhorse, loaded deep with 100000 tons of coal.
Fedora, a 228 metre car carrier.
It's always a challenge making a picture with these ugly ducklings, definitely not the prettiest ships on the sea.
OOCL Chicago, a 277 metre container ship takes a bend at speed.
Full speed ahead for Cape Marin, a 212 metre container vessel.
The head-on shot catches the power and speed as well as an interesting view of the bulb bow.
Lindanger, a 186 metre oil tanker shows the interesting pattern of reinforcing ribs and pipework on its deck , making an interesting contrast to the sea surface.
Santa Cruz, a 300 metre container ship at speed.
The camera loves red.
Drones have really opened up the possibilities for angles that were previously impossible without very expensive helicopter flights.
The ships themselves are always interesting but the aerial perspective lifts the resulting images to another level, so far beyond the dead, flat sea level photos that are more usual.
Fortunately ship owners also love images that show off their vessels so well.
I always make the effort to make a picture rather than simply taking photos and the marine environment gives a lot to work with in the form of lighting, skies, water textures and bow waves.
With the right composition and lighting, even plain ships can make memorable images and the drone is the key to being able to compose shots that would have been impossible for me before.
Here are a few favourites from some recent flights:
Investigator, a 93 metre oceanographic research vessel coming in at sunrise after a two week offshore voyage.
One of my favourite ships - it makes a picture from any angle.
Laust Maersk, a 266 metre container ship. The jumble of container stacks usually makes these ships visually interesting subjects.
FPMC B 103, not a glamour ship and unimaginatively named, this 254 metre bulk carrier is a real workhorse, loaded deep with 100000 tons of coal.
Fedora, a 228 metre car carrier.
It's always a challenge making a picture with these ugly ducklings, definitely not the prettiest ships on the sea.
OOCL Chicago, a 277 metre container ship takes a bend at speed.
Full speed ahead for Cape Marin, a 212 metre container vessel.
The head-on shot catches the power and speed as well as an interesting view of the bulb bow.
Lindanger, a 186 metre oil tanker shows the interesting pattern of reinforcing ribs and pipework on its deck , making an interesting contrast to the sea surface.
Santa Cruz, a 300 metre container ship at speed.
The camera loves red.
