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Exploring Stunning Locations: Stories Through Photography
Welcome to the DJ Aerial Photography blog page, where we take you on a journey through the stunning locations we've captured from above. Each blog post highlights a different place, offering insights into its history, beauty, and significance. Whether it’s a historic landmark, a hidden gem, or a breathtaking landscape, we provide you with a unique perspective on the locations we explore. Join us as we uncover the stories behind each site and share the beauty of these remarkable places through our aerial photography.
Middlesbrough’s Riverside – A Day of Steel, Spirit and Striking Skies
This morning I headed towards Middlesbrough, focusing my day around the Riverside area, home to some of the town’s most iconic landmarks, industrial history and bold modern additions. It’s a place with a story unlike anywhere else, a town built on iron, steel, shipbuilding and hard graft, and one that’s always adapting and reshaping its identity.
David James
Apr 256 min read
A Closer Look at Stanhope – A Deeper Dive From Above
After several days of clocking up the miles exploring far-flung castles, coastlines and ruins, I decided today to stay a little closer to home and take a more focused look at the beautiful Weardale town of Stanhope. It’s a place I’ve visited and flown over many times before, but sometimes it’s nice to slow down, look again, and capture things with a fresh perspective - especially from above.
David James
Apr 248 min read
From Pier to Pit – Exploring Coastal Icons and Moorland Heritage
The day started with grey skies and cautious optimism, but with a forecast for clearing conditions and low winds, I took the chance to head out. First stop: the coastal town of Saltburn, before winding inland across the North York Moors, uncovering a brilliant mix of coastal landmarks, castles, railways and mining remains along the way.
David James
Apr 236 min read
South of Scotch Corner (The Midlands Apparently) – A Grand Day Out in North Yorkshire
Today’s explore took me a little further south than usual—though whether you call it the Midlands or still Yorkshiredepends on which side of Scotch Corner you’re from! Either way, I headed down towards Ripon and the surrounding area, and what followed was an epic day of exploring. From soaring abbeys to towering castles, cathedrals, halls, and atmospheric ruins, it was the kind of trip that made every mile worth it.
David James
Apr 226 min read
Durham in the Drizzle – A Return to the City With a Fresh Perspective
With a few hours spare this afternoon, I took the chance to head back into Durham City - somewhere I haven’t explored for a little while. The weather started off grey but dry, which was just fine for a walk and a few photos. I had hoped to get the drone up, but as luck would have it, the rain rolled in, grounding the flying plans. Still, it was great to explore the city from ground level and revisit some favourite spots from new angles.
David James
Apr 214 min read
A Quick Fly Around Washington – Bridges, Halls and History
With just a spare hour or so this afternoon, I grabbed the drone and headed out towards Washington for a quick explore. The weather was a bit grey and breezy, but still good enough for flying - especially when you know exactly what you want to capture. The focus today was on a few standout spots I’ve had on my list for a while: Victoria Viaduct, Penshaw Bridge, and the historic Washington Old Hall.
David James
Apr 183 min read
From Rievaulx to Unexpected Finds – Exploring Around Helmsley & Thirsk
After yesterday’s explore around Leyburn and Wensleydale, and a bit of a mix-up where I mistakenly said I’d visited Rievaulx Abbey (when it was actually Jervaulx Abbey – easy mistake, right?), I thought it only fair to make it right. So today, I headed out towards Helmsley and Thirsk to put that right and squeeze in a few other locations along the way. What followed turned into one of those brilliantly varied days, full of grand landmarks and a couple of unexpected gems that
David James
Apr 177 min read
Wensleydale Wonders – Ruins, Relics and Rainy Day Wins
After days of sunshine and calm skies, today’s forecast wasn’t looking too promising—wind, rain, and not much hope for flying. But being the optimist I am, I packed up the gear and headed out anyway, and I’m glad I did. What started as a gloomy outlook turned into a rewarding day in Wensleydale, filled with just the kind of variety I love - castles, abbeys, and old mining sites all scattered across this rich, rolling landscape.
David James
Apr 164 min read
A Calm Morning Over the Toon – Aerial Views of Newcastle’s Landmarks
Although the day started with a blanket of overcast skies, the near total absence of wind made for ideal flying conditions - especially for a city shoot, where still air means a safer and steadier flight. With that in mind, I grabbed the chance to head into Newcastle, one of the North East’s most iconic cities, to capture some of its famous landmarks from above.
David James
Apr 155 min read
A Day of Blue Skies and Beacons – Five Lighthouses from Roker to South Shields
If you’re a fan of lighthouses, this one’s for you. And if you’re not? Well, if you like the colour blue, the sky and sea had that sorted today. And if neither of those float your boat... there’s still a good chance you’ll enjoy this anyway. With conditions pretty much spot-on—clear skies, low wind, and sparkling sunlight—I made the call to head back to the coast, this time focusing on the stretch between Roker and South Shields.
David James
Apr 105 min read
Wandering Without a Plan – Mines, Moors and Hidden Corners of Allendale & Beyond
If you’re into mines, abandoned houses, and wild Northumberland landscapes—with a cheeky hop over the border into Cumbria - then today’s out
David James
Apr 97 min read
Perfect Conditions on the Coast – Hartlepool & the Historic Headland
With clear blue skies and barely a breath of wind, the conditions were spot on today—so there was only one place to go: the coast. I made my
David James
Apr 87 min read
Castles, Coast & Clear Skies – A Calm Afternoon Between Two Historic Icons
The weather today was too good to ignore — clear blue skies, barely a breeze, and ideal conditions for flying. After a morning run, I headed
David James
Apr 66 min read
Left Behind – A Quiet Day Among the Abandoned in Muggleswick, Healeyfield & Castleside
If there’s one word that sums up today, it’s “abandoned.” Not just in the buildings I set out to capture, but in the slower, more reflective
David James
Apr 44 min read
Sikehead Revisited – New Paths, Old Tracks and Blue Skies Over Weardale
With another day of clear skies and sunshine, I made the most of the conditions and headed back to Weardale - this time focusing on the area
David James
Apr 37 min read
Old Gang & Beyond – Mining Ruins, Blue Skies & A Hollywood Backdrop in the Yorkshire Dales
With clear blue skies and crisp spring light, there was only one place I wanted to head today—the Yorkshire Dales, and more specifically, th
David James
Apr 210 min read
Wandering North Durham & Northumberland – When No Plan Becomes the Perfect Plan
In the immortal words of Hannibal from The A-Team, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Well… I would—if I’d actually had a plan. But tod
David James
Apr 16 min read
Waterfall Wandering in Windy Teesdale – Exploring Easter Beck & Rowton Beck
With clear skies overhead but a strong wind keeping the drone grounded, I decided to head somewhere quieter and let the day unfold on foot.
David James
Mar 282 min read
Wandering the North Yorkshire Moors – A Lesson in Getting Lost (and Finding a Few Gems)
Today was one of those days where I set off with no clear plan, just the camera, the drone, and the hope of stumbling across something speci
David James
Mar 274 min read
Bridges, Battlements & Borderland History: A Day Exploring Corbridge & Hexham
With a spell of fine weather, I decided it was time to venture somewhere a little different - Northumberland. It’s a region I haven’t spent
David James
Mar 268 min read
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