German Church and Gamla Stan from above

At the right light German Church and Gamla Stan as seen from above creates a pure magic. The town dates back to the 13th and church to 16th century.

Most of the people who visit Swedish capital Stockholm find the time to take a walk at the Gamla Stan streets. Beside the all must to see places the German Church sometimes called St. Gertrude’s Church ends at many photos as well.

For me as photographer the church has always been the point of interest. After buying my drone and deciding to photograph all Stockholm churches this church went high on my list. Dense and narrow streets mostly crowded by people wasn’t easy to walk and navigate with my drone. Even so the weather conditions and the wind has to be right too. I had to collect some experience before going there and taking off.

German Church and Gamla Stan from above

Tonight was the the time when I was ready to explore the town. I had to find a safe spot to take off with enough space observe my drone during the flight. Low wind and dramatic clouds was the scenario I was looking for. My friend Rostam joined me with his Mavic spark.

We didn’t planed or prepared for this flight at all. The only place with enough space possible was the small church garden. Even there was a plenty of people passing but wanted to fly anyway.

Connecting with enough satellites was the first challenge. I wanted at least 6 to 7 satellites connected before I start my drone. A few minutes passed and I still had only 5. I decided to take a risk and took off. I was hovering a drone at about 5 meters to see it the drone was stabile in the air. After that I went 10 meters and the number of satellites increased to 10.

Above the one of the narrow streets behind was the enough with space to get higher in air. I mede a few panoramas and then I had to land. From the previous experience when you land and take off again most of your satellites are still connected. I wanted to reach at last 100 in the air to get a perfect photo of the highest part of the church. In order to be visible the top of the church has to be above horizon. The second version was a getting the top of the church at the water surface as shown on the photo below.

After the second battery it get really dark and I decided to land. During the time my friend had so much problem and never get in the air.