Doug Bazley’s passion for photography has soared to new heights with his drone, capturing amazing images and footage from around the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
The Little Mountain local has attracted an enthusiastic following on social media as Bluey’s Photography because of his stunning aerial photos and videos of the area.
He’s documented dramatic changes in the Pumicestone Passage and captured pictures of warships, grounded boats and schools of fish.
The 63-year-old has also shot some of Australia’s iconic landscapes during road trips around the country.
Some of his best work was installed, on a large scale, at Gemini Resort Caloundra recently.
A 3.8m wide by 1.5m high panoramic picture is on show in the foyer there.
“I spent many hours taking photos and segmenting, to go into print on their curved wall,” he said.
“I felt pretty proud to have it displayed.”
He said the image was in high demand from locals.
“There’s so much in it,” he said.
“You can see the Caloundra CBD, Kings Beach, Caloundra bar, Glass House Mountains, the new Bribie breakthrough, Bulcock Beach and even Mount Coolum.”
Talks are underway for Mr Bazley to supply images for each floor of the resort’s two towers.
He said he’s been surprised by how his photos and videos have been embraced by the community.
“It has gone berserk to be honest,” he said.
“I enjoy sharing what I see through the lens and through the bird.
“So many people follow my photos, and they are like a family.
“They all talk about the photos and what’s going on.”
Mr Bazley has had an interest in photography for years, but it skyrocketed in 2017 when he bought a drone to accompany him on an interstate motorcycle trip.
“Tasmania’s landscape is out of this world, so I thought I needed a drone to capture the images there,” he said.
“That’s where it really started. I then stepped up to a better model drone and started taking more photos and people started asking me for prints and it’s continued to grow.
“Photography has always been a passion but not to the extent that it now.
“I’m probably a bit obsessive-compulsive with it.
“The camera and the bird are always with me. It doesn’t matter where I go, they are always there with me.”
He said some of his favourite photos and footage were taken on the Sunshine Coast.
“We live in a beautiful place and the colours I see from day to day amaze me,” he said.
“I’m lucky to live in this area and I’ve been fortunate to capture a lot of newsworthy images.
“A lot of people say I seem to always be in the right place at the right time and it does seem to be like that.”
Mr Bazley has also taken some great snaps and videos in other places.
He’s photographed ruins in Egypt and captured images of quintessential Australian locations.
“We camped at the Great Australian Bight, where I have wanted to go since I was a kid, and I put the bird up and took some photos, which was fantastic,” he said.
“The drone gives you more perspective.
“When we went to Cape York, I’d stop in the middle of nowhere, trees beside the road, and put the bird up and have a look around. I’d see a big freshwater lake, cattle, water lilies and pigs running through the bush.”
Mr Bazley, who has lived on the Sunshine Coast for more than 40 years, sells prints to members of the public and to businesses, but it’s not relied upon for income.
“I just enjoy sharing my photos with people who don’t have the opportunity to see some of these places in person … I get a thrill out of that,” he said.
He’s “pretty well retired” after working at Repco for 20 years, but still works there on weekends.
“So, I have weekdays to explore. We (he and partner Tina) like to get on the road when we can.”
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