As some of you may know, about a month ago, I bought the DJI Neo drone. Originally, I picked it up mainly to enhance my vlogging, especially for my pinhole photography videos. And for that purpose, it’s been fantastic. With smart modes like Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, and more, it’s given me new angles and dynamic shots that I hope will really bring my vlogs to life.
But buying this drone also scratched an itch I’ve had for a very long time: aerial photography—some might call it "droneography." I’ve been curious about drone photography for years, and now I finally had the perfect tool to try it out. The DJI Neo isn’t a perfect camera by any means, but it’s an affordable and capable starter drone for aerial shots. With its 1/2-inch sensor and 12MP camera, it captures 4000×3000 images (4:3), which has been great for exploring this new perspective.
I’ve already captured a couple of images with the DJI Neo that I’m proud of (which I’ll share at the end of this post). But I wanted to dive deeper and really give aerial photography a focused effort. So, one Saturday morning, instead of heading out with my pinhole camera as I usually do, I decided to dedicate some time to capturing images from above.
My first stop was the quaint village of Alfriston, nestled in the Sussex countryside with the River Cuckmere winding peacefully alongside it. The scenery was perfect for testing the drone’s capabilities and exploring the area from a whole new perspective. The day was overcast and a bit dull, so not ideal for lighting, but with little to no wind, it was perfect weather for flying this small drone.
Captured this view after a short flight downriver—turning back to see this bridge framed perfectly against the peaceful waters.
At the max height of 120 meters, the River Cuckmere cuts a winding path through the countryside. The landscape’s textures felt perfect for black-and-white.
On the way back, I aimed the drone straight down, centering the bridge and capturing the river cutting across it at an angle. Simple and symmetrical, but there’s something I love about shots like this.
Leaving the river cuckmere I headed little way over the hill to the Long man of wilmington. This is where the beauty of drone photography came in, a few steps from the car park, and I was flying over the hillside, taking in the Long Man of Wilmington in all his glory. It almost felt like cheating, but drone photography made this iconic view effortless.
Flying towards the Long Man, I caught this favorite shot. The low clouds below the downland create a stunning, atmospheric view of the hillside, made up for the lack of good lighting.
Getting a bit closer.
Turning the drone to take in the scenery, I spotted this beautiful low cloud hugging the slopes of the South Downs—a perfect moment for a quick shot.
Another shot of the Long Man, but this time in black and white. The white figure stands out sharply against the dark hillside, with soft clouds gently blanketing the hilltop.
I sent the drone out toward the old church, but with the trees blocking most views, I couldn’t get the shot I wanted. Then, looking up, I saw the Long Man in the distance, now framed by clouds below—a perfect final capture for this location.
For my last stop of the morning, I ventured further down the River Cuckmere to its mouth, where the meanders flow beside it—perfect for capturing the landscape's curves.
The first shot I took with the car park and red barn in the foreground added a touch of color to the scene, leading the eye down the meanders toward the sea.
Taking a step forward in flight, I cut out the car park and red barn, letting the meanders dominate the view. The moody atmosphere added a beautiful, dramatic touch to the landscape.
One of the bends in the meanders.
Looking directly down from 120 meters, the DJI Neo’s 117.6° field of view did feel a bit restrictive. A wider and higher perspective would certainly offer more flexibility. Still, there’s something I really like about this shot—the simplicity and focus on the meanders. I can imagine how it would look even more dynamic on a sunny day, with paddleboarders and kayakers adding life to the river. That extra touch of movement would definitely make the scene feel more special.
The River Cuckmere, a flowing waterway about 25 km long which winds its way through the picturesque Sussex countryside before heading out to sea at Cuckmere Haven here.
The meanders, however, are cut off from the main river. Non-tidal and without flow.
Looking back up the river Cuckmere as it make its way into the Sussex countryside
Flying back towards the car park where I began, the red barns came into view again, marking the spot where this aerial adventure started
My final shot, hovering just above the water with a lower angle, looking back down the meanders. The black-and-white treatment really brings out the contrast, with the river cutting through the scene, adding depth and drama.
Overall, I really enjoyed getting the drone out and exploring aerial photography—it’s been a fantastic way to capture the world from a completely new perspective. It’s certainly different from the pinhole photography I usually do, and I found the whole experience to be both challenging and exciting. The camera on the DJI Neo has its limitations, and while it doesn’t offer much room for heavy tweaking or editing afterward, the results are more than satisfactory for what it is. The simplicity of the drone is part of its charm, making it a perfect entry point for anyone looking to dip their toes into aerial photography. It’s great fun, easy to learn, and a wonderful way to enhance your photography and videography skills.
This has really sparked my interest in drone photography, and I think I might be falling down the rabbit hole a bit. I’m already looking at the DJI Air 3S and wondering what old camera gear I can sell to afford one! But I’m excited about diving deeper into this journey and seeing where it takes me. Aerial photography is an ever-changing field, and I’m eager to explore what comes next.
And as promised, here are some more images captured with the DJI Neo, showcasing the beauty of the landscape from above.
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