The Beginning of the Adventure

The sun was blazing over Ahmedabad when our journey began. It was 2:00 PM—the time we loaded our cameras, tripods, drones, and a very special companion: a 12V inverter. Why an inverter? Because we knew once we entered the Kutch desert, electricity would be as rare as water.

The excitement was high, but so was the tension. We weren’t just heading to a photoshoot; we were heading into the largest solar project in India, located in a high-security desert near the Pakistan border.

By the time we reached Bhuj, the sky was dark. We checked into a hotel, recharged our batteries (literally and figuratively), and double-checked every single piece of equipment. In the desert, a single forgotten charger could mean a failed project.

Crossing into Restricted Territory

The next morning, we drove 70 to 100 kilometers into Khavda desert. The road got quieter, the land flatter, and the silence heavier. Soon, a military checkpoint appeared.

Armed jawans stopped us. We handed them:

• Our official permission letter

• A complete equipment list

Their eyes scanned us sharply. For a moment, time stood still. This was not just routine—they had to ensure no sensitive visuals were leaked. Finally, a nod came. “Proceed.”

We were in.

The First Big Challenge: Height of Solar Panels

As we entered the project site, a new problem hit us hard. The solar panels towered 10 feet high—much taller than we expected. Our Insta360 Pro2, mounted on a tripod, couldn’t capture the sweeping visuals we needed. The vision wasn’t clear.

Our hearts sank. But giving up wasn’t an option.

Plan B: We switched to our FPV drone, mounting the Insta360 X4 on it. If we couldn’t go higher, we’d fly.

The Second Big Challenge: The Desert Winds

Just as we launched the drone, the Khavda desert showed its true colors.
The winds roared, buffeting the drone like a toy. With the extra camera weight, it wobbled dangerously—like a pendulum ready to crash.

One wrong move, and we risked losing equipment worth over ₹7 lakhs in seconds.

We grounded the drone immediately.

For a moment, the desert mocked us. The mission seemed impossible.

The Waiting Game

Then came an idea. Instead of fighting the desert, we would work with it.

We waited. When the winds slowed, we quickly launched, captured footage, and landed the drone the moment gusts returned. Shoot, land, wait. Shoot, land, wait.

It was a race against time. Each interval was unpredictable, each take nerve-wracking. The desert became our clock, and patience our weapon.

Victory Before Sunset

By 5:00 PM, our memory cards were filled with breathtaking 360° footage of India’s largest solar project. Before leaving, we carefully reviewed every file, checked every angle, and made multiple backups at the hotel.

That night, as we sat exhausted but satisfied, we realized: we had won against the desert.

Conclusion

The Kutch Khavda 360° shoot wasn’t just about cameras and drones. It was about resilience, quick thinking, and respect for nature’s unpredictability.

For us at 360 VR Photography, every project is an adventure. But this one will always remain special—a reminder that with the right preparation and courage, even the desert bows down to creativity.