On a humid fall morning before sunrise, Des Moines’ Waterbury neighborhood “was quiet and peaceful. The colors really popped in the diffused light,” said Tom Gustafson, who took the photo.
This story originally appeared in our 2023 issue of ia. Read the full version online.
When Tom Gustafson goes sightseeing, he prefers a 200-foot view. The drone photographer captured this perfect fall photo in the Waterbury neighborhood of Des Moines back in 2020.
Drone photography offers a chance to get above the fray. Even images of lively scenes offer a sense of calm. “To me it’s like walking in the woods or going for a hike,” Gustafson says. “You are the sole energy and everything else is peaceful around you.
Gustafson sells photo prints on his website, visionairydrone.com. You can also purchase his recent photo book, “Above Des Moines,” along with others like “Above Okoboji.” Or find him on Facebook (Drone Photographs By Tom Gustafson) or Instagram (@tom.gustafson).
