SPJ showcases drones and new photo tech

Vern Williams, assistant professor of Journalism at Southern Connecticut State University, prepares to fly his DJI Mavic Pro drone at Southern Wednesday, April 19, as Richie Rathsack, digital content editor for the Record-Journal in Meriden, looks on. | Jodie Mozdzer Gil photo

Drones are getting smaller, and the cameras more powerful — and journalists continue to explore ways that can translate to better news coverage.

As part of that effort, Vern Williams demonstrated new drone equipment at Southern Connecticut State University on April 19 at an event hosted by the SCSU SPJ and CTSPJ chapters.

Williams, an assistant professor of journalism at Southern, has been researching the use of drones for journalism and is teaching the university’s first Drone Journalism course.

A licensed drone operator, Williams has used drones in work for the New Haven Register and the Connecticut Health Investigative Team.

The event was hosted as a way to help professional journalists and students learn more about the changing technology and legal issues involved in using drones for journalism. It featured the DJI Mavic Pro, Phantom 3 Advanced and Inspire 1 Pro, as well as the Ricoh Theta 360-degree camera.