Chasing Sunrises and Seagulls: A Drone Adventure Over Hastings with the DJI NEO

On the first Saturday of 2025, I set out for Hastings, eager to experiment with my pinhole cameras and capture the charm of this coastal town (you can see that post here). Alongside my trusty analog gear, I brought my DJI NEO drone to add a fresh perspective to the day's adventure. Before diving into the slow, deliberate process of pinhole photography, I took the opportunity to send the drone up, snapping some aerial shots and recording video content. The conditions couldn’t have been more perfect: a calm morning with almost no wind and a breathtaking sunrise on the horizon.

Hastings boasts a fascinating history as the home of Europe’s largest fleet of beach-launched fishing boats—a tradition that has endured for over a thousand years. No matter how many times I return, the town never fails to surprise me with something new to capture. This visit marked my first time exploring Hastings from above, and it came with its challenges. The beach is packed with activity, from colorful fishing boats to weathered nets and scattered gear, making it tricky to isolate a single subject for that perfect shot. But as always, the effort was worth it.



The first boat to catch my eye was a charming little blue vessel resting on the shore, marked with the identifier RX77. I had already taken a few shots from the opposite side as I approached, but as I rounded to this angle, the scene transformed. The sun began to rise over the horizon, casting a warm, golden light that elevated the composition and made for a far more striking photograph.



As I continued along the beach, I experimented with a few different compositions, though none of them felt quite right. Then, I decided to pivot—literally—spinning the drone back out toward the sea. That’s when I spotted a stunning jetty stretching toward the sunrise, creating a perfect focal point against the glowing horizon.


Flying out above the jetty, I decided to push my little DJI NEO drone to its maximum permitted altitude of 120 meters. I’ve always loved the perspective of looking straight down, and jetties make for particularly compelling subjects in this style. However, I found the composition a bit restrictive—wishing I could either fly higher or use a wider focal length to better frame the scene. It wasn’t until the next shot that I discovered a way to achieve the effect I was aiming for.


I turned the drone 90° to take advantage of the wider field of view offered by the NEO’s 4:3 aspect ratio at 3,840 x 2,880 resolution. This adjustment instantly transformed the composition, creating a more open and dynamic frame that felt far less constrained.


At this point, I turned the drone around to begin its journey back home. Before finishing, I captured two final shots. The first was a sweeping view along Hastings’ picturesque coastline, showcasing its unique charm from above. The second was a breathtaking image looking straight out to sea, where the sunrise bathed the horizon in warm, golden hues.



At this point, I brought the drone back home and set off with my pinhole cameras to capture some morning photos around the beach. After finishing my shoot and returning to the van, I decided to send the drone up one last time to capture the beautiful Cliff Railways. Opened in 1891, they still feature their original wooden Victorian coaches, a stunning piece of history. By this time, however, I noticed the wind had picked up, holding steady at around 10 mph, adding a slight challenge to the final flight.

As soon as I launched the drone, the usual wind warnings began flashing, but I wasn’t too concerned—I’ve flown in worse conditions before. The seagulls, however, were quick to take an interest in the little NEO, buzzing curiously around it as I maneuvered.

I guided the drone toward the Cliff Railways, setting up for the first shot.


As I approached the Cliff Railways, things started to get a bit concerning. While positioning the drone for a shot, I noticed it was rapidly gaining altitude—rising at nearly 1 meter per second. I tried to bring it back down, but the controls weren’t responding as expected, and it continued climbing uncontrollably.


The drone had risen a worrying 20 meters beyond my control, so I decided to make one final attempt. I hit the "Return to Home" button, and thankfully, the drone responded. It regained control of its altitude and started heading back toward me, easing my concern.


My theory on what went wrong is that the wind had shifted direction by the time I landed the drone. The wind gusts had picked up to around 16 mph, with the wind coming ashore and hitting the face of the cliff, forcing it to rise. This upward airflow is likely what the lightweight DJI NEO—at just 135g—got caught in, making it struggle to maintain control. I had been aware of this kind of wind behavior around cliffs and had been cautious in the past, but it's something I’ll definitely be more mindful of with the NEO on future flights.

WATCH THE VIDEO ON YouYube



All in all, it was an eventful morning of photography and drone flying, filled with beautiful moments and valuable lessons. Hastings never disappoints, offering fresh perspectives and challenges with each visit. Whether capturing it from the ground with my pinhole cameras or from the skies with the NEO, there’s always something new to discover. As with any adventure, it's the unexpected moments—like the struggle with the wind—that make it all the more memorable. I’ll be sure to take these lessons with me on future flights, and I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity to explore this stunning coastline again.

 



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