DEPENDING on what side of the debate you’re on, they’re the technology which promises to revolutionise our future, or they’re pesky flying robots posing a threat to our planes and privacy.

For Colin Aldred, however, the drone is the tool of an artist.

It might not look like it when he stands, remote control pad in hand, but the aerial vehicle is his paintbrush and palette. The skies above Furness and beyond provide a blank canvas for creating unique images of the area. It’s also proved a lucrative business investment for creating commercial aerial artwork.

A former teacher, Colin always kept a close eye on advances in technology could enhance the work he produced.

“Photography has always been a major part of both my own art and my 28 years of teaching Art and Design,” the 55-year-old says.

“And the higher up you get, the more things reveal themselves to you.”

So around two years ago, when he left his job at the helm of the art department of Barrow Sixth Form, he invested in a ‘quadcopter’ and travelled to north Wales to complete training with the Civil Aviation Authority.

To gain his remote pilot qualification, he had to attend ‘ground school’, sit a written exam and pass a special flight test. More paperwork followed and eventually, Aerial Artwork was born.

With no commercial airport nearby, and plenty of green space, many among us might presume drones can wander relatively freely around our corner of south Cumbria. Not so, says Colin.

“It’s actually one of the most regulated areas,” he says.

“There’s a huge restricted area around BAE Systems, privately-owned land and restrictions near Walney airfield.”

It is the responsibility of the drone pilot to ensure they are permitted to use the aircraft in every area they fly it, right down to co-ordinates on a map, or risk prosecution. Licences must also be renewed every year.

With a body of work under his belt, Colin applied for an exhibition space at The Forum in Duke Street, Barrow, which opened earlier this month.

His images of Furness shores and Lake District tarns resemble little planets. The aerial views possess a sort of otherworldliness, an incredible array colours and textures which leap out of the picture frame.

From barren beaches of grey and black and silver-tinged ripples in stretches of water (which are actually ducks, Colin clarifies) they challenge our perception of our own surroundings.

They are the sort of photographs you want to reach out and touch, the kind that compel you to ask ‘did you really take that there?’.

“Using a drone allows me to take photographs from heights and angles no-one has ever taken photographs from before,” said Colin.

“One of the reasons I moved to this area was the surroundings. We’re very lucky to have such beauty on our doorstep and hopefully this encourages reflection on the world around us.”

Traditionalists may argue that such technology does the hard work for you, and with drones now readily available in shops and online these kind of images could soon become commonplace.

But Colin insists an artist’s eye is as vital to the operation as the expensive kit.

“For me, a lot of it is the editing,” he explains.

“There are a lot of people out there who talk about the equipment they use, they focus on the kit and what it can do.

“That’s not that important to me, what’s important is the end result; I want people to judge me on the quality of my photos and videos.

“Sometimes I’ll take some images, come back to the studio, then decide there’s more I want to explore in that particular place. It’s about seeing where you can unlock the potential.”

For the record, Aerial Artwork equipment consists of a DJI Inspire drone (starting price around £2,000), a nine-metre-tall remote-controlled tripod and camera and Colin’s creative software.

On top of creating original artwork, there is a commercial strand to the company. Colin has produced 360-degree views of a number of hotels and businesses across the Lake District, capitalising on the beauty of surroundings to sell to customers.

His video of the pie fight world record attempt at Ulverston’s Another Fine Fest in June was used in BBC News’ coverage of the event.

“I think it’s something businesses want more and more,” he says.

“They work well on social media. One I did for Cumbria Karting has been viewed nearly 13,000 times.”

One exhibition down, is Colin not tempted to venture further afield to create more artwork?

He replies: “I like the idea that I am a local artist concentrating on this area. Hopefully what I am doing is unique.

“There’s a lot more still to be explored.”

-Aerial Artwork is on display at The Forum’s ground floor exhibition space now until January 31 next year. Admission is free.