The light before the light.

Along the coast of British Columbia, the morning arrives in layers. First the water loses its darkness. Then the tree line takes shape. Finally, light reaches the peaks.

From the air, those small changes become the whole composition. A long shadow can lead the eye across a frame. A quiet patch of water can give the landscape room to breathe.

Keep your movements gentle. Let the scene come to you. Plan your flight with respect for local rules, wildlife and the people around you. A good photograph should leave a place exactly as you found it.