We are USA TODAY Network photographers who used a drone to cover Hurricane Florence devastation from above North Carolina. Ask Us Anything!

Hi.. I'm interested in what kind of gear was being used? What kind of drone and what kind of camera/lenses.

Thanks.

We use the DJI Inspire 2 with the Zenmuse X4S camera/gimbal - T Zehawi

The Inspire 2 is set up for two person operation, one serving as the pilot and the other is the visual observer/camera operator. J Meore

What permits did you have/acquire before doing your shoot?

We are FAA Part 107 certified Pilots for sUAS. We also had to pass a North Carolina DOT test before being allowed to fly in N.C. The N.C. test we did on the night we arrived in the state. We also had to obtain authorization waivers from the FAA to fly inside of towns that have an airport near by. Also the FAA placed a 200' maximum limit on drone fight in N.C. and S.C. -T Zehawi

Do you also pretend the wind is stronger than it is because of wet grass?

I honestly have no idea how to pretend how wet grass can make the wind stronger! I'm not sure how wet grass effects the wind. However, our drone can fly in 20MPH winds. J Meore

What are your feelings on pineapple as a pizza topping?

Being a New Yorker, fruit is something I don't put on my pizza! But I respect your right to put what ever you wish on your pizza... J Meore

Have you taken footage of other similar disasters in the past? How does it compare to what you’re seeing with Florence?

I have photographed Sri Lanka after the Tsunami in 2005, Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, New Jersey for Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The devastation seems bad every time. You see broken homes, not just physical homes, but broken families. It is difficult to compare. They all wreak havoc in different ways. Using a drone for the first time in this situation has allowed me to see the destruction in a different way. Getting the aerial view was very eye opening to me. -T Zehawi

My co-worker covered the devastation from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico as part of a drone team. As for me, this was my first time covering a disaster with the drone. The flooding from Florence was substantial and devastating. J Meore

Have you ever witnessed anything while working that really disturbed you?

Sure... covering accidents, fires as well as stories of personal tragedy and loss are almost a normal occurrence for this profession. J Meore

That has to be hard. How do you cope?

That is a difficult question, because every assignment is different. I talk about what I witnessed/photographed with those close to me. Having a good support system in place is good to have. J Meore

Like J Meore said, having people to talk. -T Zehawi

The worst one, was seeing a 4 year old boy being pulled out of a burning house and given CPR on the grassy lawn while I was interning at a small newspaper in Piqua, Ohio. The boy died. That moment has always disturbed me. -T Zehawi

Taking my FAA 107 test in the next couple of weeks. Did you guys both pass the first time?

Yes, I got an 88 -T Zehawi

Yes, passes on the first time. We have to re-certify after two years. J Meore

What other things have you photographed for news stories?

The List is long. Do you want to know about Drone Coverage or just photography in general? -T Zehawi

Drone coverage.

I am new as a Drone pilot for USA Today network. My coverage so far has been landmarks in New Jersey. I did at corn maze in Chester, NJ. see link below. -T Zehawi

https://www.northjersey.com/videos/news/new-jersey/2018/08/31/drone-view-corn-maze-stony-hill-farms-chester/1142208002/

What's your opinion on using digital vs analog film? Is there a time & a place where analog film looks better? Cheers- hope the hurricane wasn't too crazy

I started shooting film in 1977, and stopped in 1998. Each film had their positives and negatives, contrast level, color saturations, and ASA/ISO limitations. There is nothing like experiencing the film being developed and a print coming alive in the soup. I've spent many, many hours in a darkroom processing film and making B/W and Color prints... I miss shooting film at times, but I like the speed, and versatility of digital. For the work I do now, this is crucial. J Meore

For news coverage, digital is best. Our deadlines are immediate for our websites. And Digital is the only way to meet those demands. But for fine art photography, I would use film and hand develop my film and prints. In my opinion the great master photographer Ansel Adams would not be able to publish his book The Negative today because the Zone System does not work with digital photography. -T Zehawi

Has anyone you work with in this industry been talking about the increase in frequency of these storms over the past decade or two, or how they're expected to further increase due to global conditions?

I'm not a meteorologist, and we don't have one on staff here at the local paper, however I am sure there have been many articles written by USA Today reporters who are more versed in the field of weather related topics. J Meore

did you get get any footage over vass nc, if so what was it looking like?

We covered New Bern and Belhaven. Both were very flooded. J Meore

what's the most intense thing you caught on tape?

From Florence, it was seeing a yacht on someones driveway, with a demolished garage next to it. The yacht was from a dock 3 - 4 miles across the river. As well as a yacht resting against a hotel, with a for sale sign on the bow. J Meore

With the drone it is always interesting to have a bird's eye view. Seeing the world from above has given us the ability to tell stories from a different view point. -T Zehawi

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I don't think it is possible to over dramatize the devastation we saw. -T Zehawi

In this day and age, where everyone is a photographer, what makes you stand our from the crowd?

Just because everyone has a camera does not make everyone a photographer? Schooling, experience, and the quality of our work covering news, sports and feature events for publication. -T Zehawi

What is you guys opinion on Alex Jones?

Alex who... J Meore

Do you like roblox?

roblox

Never heard of roblox. Should I? - T Zehawi