The development of social media saw the selfie grow in popularity as a form of self-portrait. The drone takes the possibilities of selfies further by capturing self-portraits from the air, known as ‘dronies’. These types of image combine the aesthetic characteristics of the selfie and of aerial videography, thereby rendering the view from above a modality of self-making and removing any negative associations with unbalanced power relations.

This dronie captures a group of swimmers participating in World Swim Day in Bouley Bay, Jersey. The men and women come together, holding hands to form a colourful circle, while two figures lie in the centre, arms raised and feet to feet. The swimmers lift their heads to the sky above, smiles on their faces as they pose for the camera, bringing a touch of playfulness to the image that counters the link between surveillance and the view from above.