Drone fine art photograph — aerial photography by Xynn Tii

Harlem, stand up. When To Drone in New York was released, the only thing on our mind was publishing its sequel. Who could forget that wind funnel in Dumbo. Or the long talk with U.S. Coast Guard in Saturday Night Fever territory. Guinea Gangplank.

Do not worry, only New Yorkers understand these references. But despite the many times I had to flash the pilot’s license and airspace authorizations, Dinero received more smiles than it did the side eye. Friendliness and a deep voice must go a long way.

Umm, what does DJ Khaled say again? Let us focus on the beauty of New York from many different low-altitude angles, capturing bridges at all times of the day and Empire State Building from abundant vantages. Billionaire’s Row, how you doin’?



From Clinton Hill to Hudson River, close ups of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Capturing Tudor City at daybreak with Hudson Yards as the backdrop.



Becoming infatuated with the architectural layers of New York City.

Many shades of brown. To examine the different designs and colors.



Looking northwest toward Sugar Hill and George Washington Bridge.

What is the theme? Bridges are all around us to connect neighborhoods.



Taking Dinero to lower west side Manhattan where TriBeCa resides.

Triangle Below Canal Street. FiDi. Soho. Noho. Nolita. The acronyms.



Finale at Staten Island. Verrazano Bridge. Fire and fog early at dawn.

Since 1964. The Narrows connecting upper and lower New York Bay.



Kindergarten Crew Still Flossing

There are only a handful of people foolish enough to apply for airspace authorizations. When I first trained for my private pilot and remote pilot certificates, I would have never guessed it would take 18 months, a failed written test, and 5 different instructors.

And after more than a year of waiting for my airspace authorizations to get approved, I felt it was never going to happen. But then it did at the very moment when nothing else was going right. It was a no-brainer to move to New York and capture this value.

Whenever asked how I received approval to fly, I respond, “Initiative”. It is not a skill. Though it does require self-discipline and perseverance. And the depressing part is that initiative never ends. Just like starting a business, there is no finish line. Enjoy.