Cinematic Aerial Landscapes of Karnataka
From the submerged ruins of Shettihalli Church to the monsoon roar of Shivanasamudra, I capture Karnataka’s nature and heritage from perspectives you simply cannot get from the ground.
An aerial view of the Ayodhya Ram Temple during its construction, a project of immense national and cultural significance that I was privileged to document.
The Bhadra Dam in its full glory, with all gates opened during the monsoon. This shot captures the immense power of water released from the reservoir.
A seasonal comparison of the Shettihalli Rosary Church, showing it fully visible in the summer and partially submerged during the monsoon in the Hemavathi backwaters.
A comparison showing the difference between a mobile phone view and a drone's 7x zoom view of the Gaganachukki Falls at Shivanasamudra, highlighting the power of aerial videography.
About Karnataka's Natural & Historic Sites
Capturing sites like the Bhadra Dam or the submerged Shettihalli Church requires more than just a camera; it demands precise timing with the monsoon cycles and knowing exactly how the light shifts over the water. I use the DJI Mavic 3 Pro for these shoots because its stability is non-negotiable when flying near water or in unpredictable weather, ensuring you get clean, cinematic 4K footage without the risk of signal interference or environmental hazards.
Nature and history look different from 400 feet up. When I document a site like the Bhadra Dam with its gates open, or the unique Gothic architecture of Shettihalli, I am not just taking photos. I am using aerial videography to show the scale and context that ground cameras miss.
My approach to these locations is methodical. Before takeoff, I perform a flight recce to map potential obstacles, wind currents, and signal dead zones, especially in remote parts of the Western Ghats. My equipment is chosen for specific results: the Mavic 3 Pro provides the dynamic range needed for high-contrast landscapes, while my FPV setup allows for tighter, more immersive fly-throughs when the site permits.
Why Aerial Perspectives Matter
- Contextual Understanding: You can see how a structure interacts with its environment, such as the Hemavathi backwaters submerging the church.
- Technical Accuracy: For heritage preservation or project documentation, orthomosaic mapping offers a top-down view that is more accurate than any single wide-angle shot.
- Cinematic Storytelling: Using advanced maneuvers like parallax orbits or aerial hyperlapses, I turn a static landmark into a dynamic film scene.
Whether you are documenting a tourist spot for a travel board, tracking infrastructure progress near sensitive sites, or showcasing a historic property, I bring the same rigour to the flight as I do to the editing suite. I handle all DGCA permissions, so you don’t have to worry about the legality of the flight, only the quality of the final footage.
Srihari Karanth
I’m Srihari, and if there is a corner of Namma Karnataka that looks better from the sky, I have probably flown over it. I don’t just capture landmarks; I chase the monsoon, the golden hours, and the stories hidden in the landscape. If you have a site that needs a new perspective, I am ready to fly.
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