It's finally spring here in Georgia and that sun seemingly came out of nowhere. What went from dealing with poor infrastructure and an annoying landlady a few weeks ago when it was negative (Celsius) and snowing outside quickly became British summer as I know it. Now pushing closer to 30 degrees with each passing day. It feels so good to feel the warmth of the sun on me again, so good to not have to wear as many layers as possible just to stay somewhat warm. And even more fun and motivating knowing I can run outside all day and shoot all kinds of things under beautiful lighting conditions. Though this isn't the easiest thing to do when it's so incredibly bright outside and my drone doesn't have any aperture features. I have a bit more interest in flying the drone lately rather than photographing from the street level, but I think that's because tourism season is picking up slowly with the streets getting more and more crowded. I'm also seeing this as more a business opportunity as I can shoot all kinds of video for potential clients around the world as that tourism season slowly returns.
The city feels more alive out of nowhere, and I love it. People do seem a bit more friendly after those colder months were it felt like the city became nasty. I've missed looking at the streets in a different way, missed being able to walk through them and find them engaging. Seeing all the ways the light hits the streets and old buildings, but also the natural world that surrounds it. Tall pine trees, beautiful bushes and flowers that have been gone for months over winter. I definitely felt idle over winter because of all of this. My interest in filming stuff not only disappearing, but void due to the harsher weather that might drone flights next to impossible due to the winds. Today I ventured into an area I haven't been to since last summer: Old Tbilisi. Deep into the old streets, up and down its hilly environment where old and cultural homes reside. Quiet streets mostly inhabited by cats of all ages as they climb at ease through the landscape that has all the tourists gasping for air with every step along the way to the tourist destinations on the mountains: Mother Georgia, the Botanical Garden, and the beautiful views. Some do just take the cable car, though.
I walked up the mountain, along the side of it knowing I could find a spot to fly the drone where I'd be left alone, with the intent of capturing Old Tbilisi from above. I have a bit of concern with flying the drone still after my unfortunate detainment in Armenia a few weeks ago, so I'm even more cautious with where I go. Though once I was up in the air I felt that fun of flying again, the sheer thrill of being able to see the world from above and being able to capture it in whatever cinematic matter I could think of; and even better, the air was so still. No wind for once! I captured Mother Georgia as the sunlight hit her from the side, showcasing the form of the steel structure. The strong and tall pine trees surrounding. I could see the huge mountains way off into the horizon, some so tall and distant they still had some snow on them. I wanted to capture some of the cable cars moving up and town through the terrain but I wasn't quite in the right spot, and that's something I want to capture next time, perhaps even tomorrow. While flying I was thinking of how fun it was back in summer, how much more I enjoyed being creative but also being in the city. So many things I wanted to do and see still, thinking of when I should do it all.
It was a little too bright still. But the light was still beautiful to shoot in. I think I'll wait a little bit on certain days and catch that golden hour sunlight where it isn't so harsh though. But I'm really happy this was the start of my little explorations again. A little rusty with the photography skills due to the anxiety with the drone, but a little bit better prepared for the sun and warmth. No sudden passing out on the bus this time.