Andy Mallins takes superb drone pictures across the North West. We spotted and featured him last year and this now has become a sideline business. We've featured his pictures on Liverpool Confidential too.

His speciality is night time, twilight or sunset photography and he does it brilliantly - literally in his case. His daytime pictures are amazing as well. We featured these on Manchester for a story about the city's origins and another replicating a panoramic nineteenth century view from above Peel Park.

For an article discussing the Aviva Studios Andy provided us with another cracking image.

For the end of 2023 Andy's allowed us to gather together some more pictures. Check his website for others, there are spectacular images from across the North West. His Twitter/X feed is good for keeping up-to-date with his work.

2023 12 21 Andy Mallins — **The sweet message from Andy Mallins** Image: X

When we interviewed Andy a year ago this is what he said about how it all started.

"My fascination with photography started over ten years ago when I got my first iPhone and setup my Instagram account, at some point in that Instagram journey, and from all the feedback and likes I received, I realised I had a natural eye for taking landscape shots and purchased a mirrorless camera.

"Whilst I loved taking ground shots I was also being heavily influenced with aerial images of the North West that others had been posting so decided to jump straight in and in 2019 I got my first drone.

Night photography is more challenging than daylight, so the camera settings need to be right to capture the light and the detail

"Throughout lockdown I studied aerial photography and various drone techniques in order to get the best results from my purchase. At the same time, I also started Andy Mallins Photography and got my Civil Aviation Authority accreditations.

"In late 2021 after all restrictions had been lifted, I decided to get out and about and shoot some of the locations I had seen others posting, but in light conditions, and whilst I loved the results, I felt something was missing. That all changed when I invested in another drone but this time a lot lighter, it meant I could fly in and around cities safely (where permitted) and that's where I started to experiment with night photography and haven't looked back since.

"Of course, night photography is more challenging than daylight, so the camera settings need to be right to capture the light and the detail, without it being too noisy, or over/under exposed. Once I get the shots its back home for light editing in Lightroom before publishing on social media."

It seems to be working out for Andy and we're proud of our contribution to his success.

2023 12 21 Manchester Deansgate Copy — **Deansgate leading to Deansgate Square** Image: Andy Mallins

2021 12 21 Aviva Studios — **Aviva Studios (Factory)** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Piccadilly Station — **Piccadilly Station** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Cis — **A view towards the CIS tower** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Manchester Corn Exchange Copy — **The Corn Exchange and it's irregular triangle** Image: Andy Mallins

2021 12 21 Andy Mallins Corn Exchange And Cathedral — **Corn Exchange and Manchester Cathedral** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Manchester City Vs Chelsea Aerial 01 Copy — **The Etihad during a game** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Manchester Central Aerial 01 Copy — **Manchester Central from above the Midland Hotel** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Manchester Cathedral Skyline Aerial 01 Copy — **Looking down on the Cathedral during the day** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Manchester Beetham Tower Aerial 01 Copy — **Beetham Tower and towards Deansgate Square** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Central Library — **Central Library's circular perfection** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Media City Uk Aerial 03 Copy — **The Quays and Media City** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Andy Mallins Quays — **The Quays** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Andy Mallins Lowry — **A more intimate picture of the Lowry** Image: Andy Mallins

2023 12 21 Manchester Sunset Aerial 01 Copy — **Sunset over the city** Image: Andy Mallins

2021 12 21 View From Salford Into The City — **Panoramic view from Peel Park into the city centre** Image: Andy Mallins

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