A remote controlled drone flying over Caerphilly has caused a stir – in the photography not military community.
Chris Hughes took this spectacular shot of Caerphilly Castle (pictured) using a remote controlled drone – keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
Now the ex-broadcast technician is looking to get in the air as he aims to get his pilot’s licence to fly camera carrying drones.
Chris, from Bargoed, runs Crumlin-based production company, Christal AV and has been awarded a £1,000 grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to lift him off his feet.
The grant is part of the Cwm a Mynydd Training Support Fund which awards grants to local companies on behalf of the Rural Development Plan in Caerphilly.
Chris hopes this will help him get his Remote Pilot Qualification from the Civil Aviation Authority.
He said: “This is a great time to get into this form of aerial photography as not many people have the expertise and qualifications to offer an effective service.
“I was in the same boat until the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Cwm a Mynydd Training Support Fund came up with the financial support to enable me to get the qualifications I need, so I owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
“Flying the drone is a bit tricky at first, but it takes fantastic pictures, and it is perfect for shooting video footage as well as stills”.
Chris hopes to target the construction sector, local authorities, broadcasting industries and the media with his services as well as taking striking photographs of Caerphilly County Borough.