Most people know Chapala from a ground-level point of view. Thanks to his drone photography, retired German-American expat Bernd Sawatzki is allowing us to see the town from an entirely new perspective.
At the beginning of April, Sawatzki rose early and headed to Chapala’s beach area along with his DJI Phantom drone and attached camera.
Sawatzki says all his images are taken at altitudes of less than 100 feet, at “safe heights” that do not interfere with aerial traffic.
Mexico does not appear to have as strict rules as the United States or Canada when it comes to flying drones, Sawatzki says, but one “should always use common sense,” and never fly above 400 feet.
Although he has a pilot’s license, Sawatzki says this does not automatically qualify him to operate a drone, which requires some practice.
Sawatzki, who dedicates his time to photography and writing, says he has received many favorable comments on Facebook about his drone images. “I have already had three requests from people who want aerial images of their properties to show friends and family back home.”
Sawatzki says he is waiting for the mountains overlooking the north shore of Lake Chapala to turn green with the rains, so he can take more spectacular images of the area.
Sawatzki also enjoys taking photographs of daily Mexican life, some of which he has entered into National Geographic competitions.
