I was doing a run around this lake (it’s about 8 km and a little bit hilly as you can see there on the right), and I noticed how still everything was. It’s not always like this… so halfway through the run, I decided to call my assistant and have them bring out my quadcopter to grab this shot. Drones are so good nowadays; I almost prefer to use them over my regular camera. When it comes to shooting landscape photos, the f-stop isn’t especially important since you want everything in focus anyway. Also, it has around the same number of megapixels as my high-end Sony, so there is not a lot of difference. And, if you are making panoramas, you can still make prints at least 10ft across, which is more than big enough for major installations.

A Serene Lake Hayes

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-06-27 04:05:00
• CameraFC6310
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/400
• Aperture5.6
• ISO100
• Focal Length8.8 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

I got my quad up super high over this area of Hong Kong and planned on making sort of a panorama while looking straight down. It’s not an easy technique because all the buildings come off at different angles. Anyway, I tried to piece them together in Photoshop, but it kept going all funky. I decided to choose the funkiest one because I think it looks quite cool!

Hong Kong Confusion

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2018-03-15 17:22:54
• CameraFC220
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/300
• Aperture2.2
• ISO100
• Focal Length4.7 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias-0.344

Here’s one of the many amazing villas that are scattered around the resort at Laucala Island in Fiji. It’s one of those situations where you never see your neighbors and you feel incredibly private. So private, in fact, that I spent most of my time inside and outside completely nude. I don’t know why I needed an adverb in front of nude. The word itself is already complete.

Over Laucala Island

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2019-01-26 18:46:26
• CameraFC2204
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/400
• Aperture3.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length8.6 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

One of my favorite things about having a quadcopter is that I can very quickly get a photo when the light gets interesting! This is the view from where I live here in Queenstown, and every night has a new set of light and clouds. I keep the quadcopter fully fueled and ready for action, just in case something like this presents itself!

A Moody Storm in Queenstown

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-11-27 21:17:04
• CameraFC6310
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/30
• Aperture2.8
• ISO160
• Focal Length8.8 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

The North Island of New Zealand has such a varied coastline, and this area was particularly interesting, especially from above.

The North Island Coast

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2020-07-20 12:51:06
• CameraFC2204
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/80
• Aperture3.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length8.6 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias+1.3

Continuing on from yesterday, another little chunk of Laucala. The residents of this bit must start the day with the impossible task of choosing between sitting on the amazing ocean view deck, chilling out in the pool or taking a hop, skip and jump down onto that lovely sand.

Options

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2019-01-26 18:41:38
• CameraFC2204
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/320
• Aperture3.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length8.6 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

Because of the intense density of China, most of the public and private space can be very confining. The Chinese people themselves, I notice, often stand closer to me than any other culture. After generations of being mashed together, they have a different sense of space.

Hong Kong, China
TreyRatcliff.com

Commune

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2018-03-13 17:22:10
• CameraFC220
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/580
• Aperture2.2
• ISO100
• Focal Length4.7 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

I had a lot of fun flying around the city a few years ago, grabbing some of the less common angles and then creating some fun abstract images. Here’s one of the more normal takes.

A Chunk of Hong Kong

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2018-03-15 17:28:29
• CameraFC220
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/800
• Aperture2.2
• ISO100
• Focal Length4.7 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias-0.344

I’ve lived here in NZ for quite a while and I’ve never even been to Abel Tasman until just a few weeks ago. I did a mega road trip up there and stopped to pick up my bestie Rene in Nelson. We had a great time up there, but we didn’t spend nearly enough time. Every evening had a lovely sunset and the light was amazing. I got the drone up a few times and here is one of my faves!

Over Abel Tasman

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-05-07 21:41:36
• CameraFC2204
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/80
• Aperture2.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length4.4 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias+0.3

The landscape on the North Island of NZ is vastly different to here around Queenstown on the South. Especially so around the more northern parts, past Auckland… still beautiful though. Especially so at sunset.

Sunset over the North Island

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2020-07-29 12:19:48
• CameraFC2204
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/50
• Aperture2.9
• ISO100
• Focal Length4.8 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias+0.3