1st Oct - Come fly with me - Rob butler

As Programme Secretary, I have wanted to book a talk about drone photography for some time. As a result, I was delighted to introduce Rob Butler to CCC on the evening 1st October. Rob is originally from Essex but has lived in the North-East for some years and in the 2025/26 season he was President of Whickham Photographic Club. Rob has for years used drone photography for his work in the building industry as well as for his hobby of photography and he brought with him some drones for us to view. 

Rob outlined the history of drone photography and how it, and the legislation surrounding it, have changed markedly over the last century or so. He explained how it had started with aeroplanes and then helicopters (which provided much more agility and flexibility than aeroplanes). Rob explained the increasingly tight legislation in this area, including the weight of drones (most weigh below 250 mgs), the height and circumstances in which they can be flown and the penalties for non-compliance. He also explained that the costs and testing have become more demanding for those who must acquire a licence to fly the various categories of drones. 

Rob showed us drone photographs he had taken of historical buildings and sites in the North-East and also of shots which he had taken to assist with building work and renovations. His photographs of the Angel of the North and the Newcastle Quayside were of particular interest and were particularly striking. In showing these images, Rob provided some interesting and amusing anecdotes about the challenges he had faced when taking some of them. One of the main challenges for drone photographers is to cope with the wind!

Our members fully enjoyed Rob's entertaining and informative talk, and at the end he was given a suitable round of applause.

Ray Barnes
CCC Programme Secretary   .