The most significant change over the last few years in the video and images we have around us has been due to the rise of drones, also known as drones that are unmanned drones (UAVs).
Shots that previously depended upon boom arms, Jibs, and helicopters — and totally impossible to achieve are now accessible to anyone with $200. $200 budget and the desire to master drone photography.
This guide was created to assist you in becoming a better drone photographer or videographer, regardless of whether you’re beginning as a passionate hobbyist or are looking to develop into a professional drone pilot.
We’ll cover drone photography tips, both for stills as well as video, and will help you improve your capabilities and become a proficient drone filmmaker and photographer.
What is Drone Photography?
Drone photography uses the unmanned drone (aka cameras drones) to take videos and stills in the air.
In general, these pictures would not be possible by using vantage points and generating camera movements that make use of drones’ ability to fly.
Drone photography is expected to see huge growth in popularity by 2022 because of the variety of consumer drones that are accessible at a reasonable price. There are even the underwater drone today!
Drone images are very popular on social media sites specifically for landscape photography because of their distinct perspectives they give.
- Do I get started with the drone photographer?
A majority of drone photographers begin out by selecting one that comes with an excellent camera for photography and video that is within their budget. There are a variety of drones currently available on the market, with an array of prices.
Thankfully, with sensors for imaging increasing (better picture quality) and engines and batteries constantly becoming smaller, prices are constantly falling as video and image resolutions are growing and flight times are growing.
Even a basic model drone, such as that of Ryze Tello ( the most suitable drone for children) can give excellent results. Most crucially, it will make you comfortable with the techniques of flying.
Enhancing your skills as a drone pilot is vital prior to take flight; it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the guidelines.
If your drone is of preference and your location, You may need to register your drone and obtain a certificate similar to an FAA Part 107 in the U.S.A.
The process of obtaining a certificate like Part 107 or Part 107 is not too difficult, but it does require at least 20 hours of studying and pay $160 to take the examination. If you are planning to turn drone photography into an investment for a business is a must to begin and build an online business by using your drone.
- What should I make for drone photography?
Once you’ve got the hang of your drone, You might be thinking about taking professional drone pictures. How much do you cost?
Like a lot of photographic and videography, The answer to this question varies greatly depending on the experience you have as well as the type of work you’re doing, the scale of commercial work and possibly most important of all — the budget of the client.
It could also differ depending on the industry, and you may find that taking drone images to make maps of agriculture is quite different from shooting an action scene in the context of a low-budget film.
However, it is helpful to know that the UAV Coach website contains a thorough article that will give you an idea of what you can anticipate. Surveys, for instance, for mining and construction companies will start as low as $50 an hour but can increase to $500 per hour after you’ve accumulated knowledge of flying, snapped numerous aerial shots and established some contacts within your drone’s market.
A lot of drone operators earn money being involved in the real estate industry which starts at around $25/hour but could be as high as $200-300 per project, depending on the scope and the large your portfolio is.
If you’re just beginning to get started in the field of professional development, an alternative to get work and getting some knowledge is for a pilot position with websites like DroneBase, which provide jobs based on your location and skills.
Newsflare is an online video news community and marketplace where sellers can upload video content & get paid, and buyers can choose the videos they need.
19 Tips for Photographing using the Drone
- Select a drone based on your preferences and capabilities
The Mavic Mini is a great drone for beginners.
If you’re thinking, “Which drone is best for photography?” then don’t fret: for those beginning out, the best choice is the Mavic Air 2. There are three models from DJI Mavic Mini, the Mavic Mini, the Mavic Air 2, and the Mavic Pro 2. Mavic Mini, the Mavic Air 2, and the Mavic Pro 2.
The DJI Phantom 4 series is extremely popular, but because of its dimensions and price it may not be suitable for novices. Its Phantom 4 Pro is the most sought-after model for professional photographers due to its outstanding image quality, 3 axis Gimbal, and multiple flight modes.
DJI are now the most prominent brand in drone technology, and that’s not without reason. Their products are amazing.
The three above drones for photography are the most popular models for consumer use. They are available at various costs based on their dimensions and resolution, flight time and weight and a myriad of other options.
The DJI Mavic Mini 2 is a great beginning point. This is DJI’s most compact, lightest, and affordable drone, yet it offers an impressive set of specs at a reasonable price.
What might make the DJI Mavic Mini 2 such an ideal choice is the weight of 8.8 OZ (249 grams)? It’s only light enough to not have to be registered with an agency like Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. or the Civil Aviation Authority in the U.K?
Despite its tiny dimensions, even at its smallest size, the DJI Mavic Mini 2 shoots 12-megapixel stills and 4K video. It does not have object tracking. However, it offers a flight duration of 30 minutes. It comes with OcuSync 2.0 to ensure a longer-distance flight that is more reliable; it produces stunningly stable footage and folds down so as to fit in the pocket of a large jacket.
(If you’re on a smaller budget, consider the initial version Mavic Mini, reviewed here. It’s still a good option, but it doesn’t have 4K footage as well as OcuSync 2.0.)
The Mavic Air 2 is the middle sibling. Mavic Air 2 (review) by DJI Mavic Air 2 ( review) is likely to be the most loved drone of the company for hobbyists and beginners who are certain to spend a lot of time in the air.
The simple controls make it even more user-friendly and secure, thanks to an array of smart and automated functions. It also has a long battery life and can record videos at 4K/60p. This makes it an ideal drone for sell videos and videos.
If you’re looking for something more serious, The DJI Mavic Pro 2 can be the most popular and oldest of the Mavic siblings. Despite its age, it is the most obvious choice for DJI’s top consumer drone.
The camera’s one-inch sensor can’t provide the same 4K/60 image quality as Mavic Air 2, but it does shoot the same resolution. Mavic Air 2, but the difference in size and 20 megapixels mean you’ll get superior image quality.
There’s also the Mavic 2 Zoom that comes with an extended focal length of 24mm to 48mm lens. The 2x zoom might not sound amazing, but it improves the dynamic perspectives it offers and is particularly helpful for videography.
This resolution of 20 megapixels is crucial when you intend to utilize your drone for high-quality photography and provides enough dynamic range to bring back highlights and shadows in post-processing.
There are also FPV drones that are notoriously difficult to control and even more difficult to use them to snap photos. These drones can also be used to race drones Here are the top drones that FPV can be used for thrilling racing and flying.
- Learn the law
The laws governing where you can fly drones differ greatly across countries; some even ban drones completely. Before you purchase drones, ensuring you know the rules and regulations for operating your drone legally is essential.
Numerous laws regulate things like routes for flights, residential areas, proximity to airports and airports, maximum height, and the possibility of flying over the heads of other people.
You must build up your understanding of all these guidelines before you begin flying drones.
- Get qualified
The required certifications to operate drones may seem like an obstacle, but when you consider that you’ll acquire these abilities regardless and have to be aware of the rules, it’s not an issue.
In addition, having these qualifications means that you’ll know the regulations governing drones, which are specific to your nation or area.
In the U.S., if you intend to use your drone for any purpose other than recreation, it is required to obtain the Part 107 certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The rules for legal drone photography vary from country to country. It is important to conduct thorough research to ensure you’re not unlawfully operating your drone.
Alongside the certifications required by certain states and countries, it might be worthwhile to invest in additional classes to increase your capabilities and enhance your C.V. as a drone operator. A lot of them can be learned on the internet.
In addition, you’ll have to be aware that the rules will continue to change to keep pace with technological advancements. For instance, the regulations of the U.K. were changed in November 2019 and are set to undergo additional updates starting January 2021.
- Become a good pilot
Videography and drone photography aren’t just a matter of buying a high-quality drone, passing through a short theoretical test, and thinking that you’re now able to take stunning aerial images.
The top drone videographers and photographers are also among the top drone pilots. Learning to fly is the prioritization before getting involved with your footage or aerial photos.
In general, any good drone creator will advise people who are just beginning to learn that you must become an expert drone pilot in order to be a successful drone photographer.
Finding unique perspectives with drone photos requires learning how to take pictures of perspectives that are unique and unattainable in normal life. Landscapes, for instance, are often seen from an eye level while drone cameras are able to capture these from different perspectives.
Each drone is unique. However, remember all is known about photography, the principles of composition, exposure colour, balance, and time of day; it’s all relevant when trying to make great drone images too.
- Learn your drone
The best drones aren’t just about flying it in a safe and precise manner. It’s about understanding how you can make maximum use of technology.
For example, a lot of DJI drones have the “ActiveTrack” mode that can help you fly more easily by allowing you to create stunning cinematic scenes with minimal effort.
The drone utilizes sensors to make sure that the flight path it follows is safe while directing the camera towards the subject you want to photograph, even if the topic is moving.
Be aware of the limitations of the camera in your drone. The camera’s sensor will be smaller than conventional digital cameras, and will not be capable of capturing as much detail or range, especially in dim light.
Knowing what the camera on your drone can do, You can maximize the dynamic range of your photos by taking JPEGs using HDR mode or RAW mode by keeping the highlights (by watching the histogram displayed on your drone’s controller).
This way, you’ll gain more information during post-processing and produce an even more dynamic photo, which is particularly beneficial in landscapes where the sky is usually more bright than the earth.
- Join a community
Due to the rapid advancement in technology as well as the ever-changing regulations and laws governing drones’ flying, being up-to-date with the latest developments is vital.
There are many fantastic sites for photographers using drones to keep you updated on the latest products and certifications. It’s also worth looking into some Facebook groups, such as those specific to your country or region.
“DJI Owners Australian” is a well-known group that differs from other groups on Facebook in that they don’t permit users to doubt the legality of footage. This doesn’t mean they endorse unlawful flying. However, they simply take for granted that all footage of photographers is legal and promote sharing for free and the enjoyment of flying.
- Make a detailed plan as that you can
There’s no need to plan your storyboarding as if it were a top-of-the-line Hollywood film, But the more planning you do for your flights and videos, the better results you’ll achieve with drone videos and photos.
Photography and filmmaking are time-consuming even at the ideal times, but when you combine it with the reality that the total flight time could be as little as 20 minutes, you should be as organized as you can before putting your drone up in the air.
You’ll have to explore your area carefully, maybe even planning a visit in advance to ensure you are familiar with the terrain.
Also, you’ll need an eye on every aspect that is important, from the weather to sunset and sunrise times and local traffic and even events that may put a wrench in the process.
With travel times being short and weather windows frequently being short, a customer like a film director must be ready from the moment you arrive at the scene.
Make sure that your drone is always ready to fly at all times. This is a full charge, multiple batteries, and the most up-to-date maps and drone updates.
- Make sure to check the forecast for the weather (then make sure to check it again)
The wind is among the greatest threats to your drone, threatening to throw it off track and make it disappear from sight. A sudden rain storm could make it disappear from the skies completely.
The weather forecast you check before the day of the shoot is a common practice for successful drone pilots; depending on the project; you might want to schedule alternate filming dates if conditions are uncertain.
Review the manual of your drone to learn the limitations it has to face and also to get a sense of the speed of the wind as listed in the forecast. A drone is typically able to operate with gusts of as high as two-thirds of the maximum speed, however, this may differ for different models.
Commercial drone pilots may use an anemometer (a handheld device used to measure wind speed) to ensure they’re in safe operation; however, this could be misleading because wind speeds at ground level are much lower than those happening 100 feet above you.
It’s also important to keep in mind that strong winds can majorly influence battery life as your drone has to be more efficient and make many more changes than you think to fly or stay in place.
Drones don’t also like rain, however, if severe shower occurs during flight you should be able to return it immediately back to the base before it gets too wet and causes damage. Most drones aren’t waterproof, let alone water-resistant and a lot of them have exposed motors and exposed electronics that take in the rain.
While snow may look stunning and more secure compared to rain, snow could hinder the performance of the sensors on the drone. If moisture levels are high, the drone could be able to pull your drone from the sky with no warning.
A variety of drones designed to handle the elements are on the market and there are kits that you can purchase to increase the resistance to water of popular models, like The DJI Mavic Pro 2.
The time of day is clearly significant in generating stunning photos, whether with an ordinary camera or a drone, but due to the uncertainties of weather for drones, photographers might require an alternative plan in case the golden hour photo becomes impossible.
- Spare parts for the pack
The battery’s lifespan increases with each new drone model released, and with flight times ranging between 20-30 minutes, you’ll need an extra set of accessories to get the most out of the drone’s photography.
If you’ve planned a long day of shooting, there’s a good chance you’ll need an option to recharge your batteries while on the ground. However, depending on the model of your drone, the standard USB power bank is likely to not be strong enough, so you’ll have to look for something much more powerful, like the 12-volt power supply from your car.
Additionally, propellers are delicate therefore, it’s a good idea to pack more spare parts as the tiniest of collisions could mean your drone is in the air for the remainder of the day.
DJI have put together incredible bundles that will save you lots of money compared to purchasing the spare parts individually. Be sure to shop around for bargains since there are some to be found in a somewhat older model drone.
- Create a preflight checklist
Photographers and filmmakers typically have lists of the checks they prepare for important assignments.
I typically keep two checklists in my head, one for the night prior to the shoot and another for the morning shoot. With them in place, it would be impossible to go to bed.
When shooting drones, this checklist is likely to be more crucial because the margins are often brutal, Flight times are often restricted, and batteries are difficult to charge.
Therefore, having a checklist that is thorough to ensure your preparations are on the right track can be crucial.
In addition to describing everything you’ll need to carry and the steps you must take like looking up for weather conditions, making sure that propellers are in top working order, updating your microSDs and charging all of your batteries.
Another tip you aren’t likely to hear about is to ensure that the lens of the camera on your drone is kept dry and clean. Keep your drone in a safe place with silicone gel bags (the ones you can find in pills) to decrease the chances of fogging the lens.
- Use Google Earth
If you’re planning to go for a trip and want to record some incredible drone footage, you may be wise to investigate the area beforehand, making use of Google Earth.
This will help you find aspects that catch your attention and plot possible fly routes once you are out on the field.
Everyday landscapes are often quite different from a higher angle You’ll be able to see interesting perspectives in advance and help you maximize the life of your drone’s battery.
- Find out more about how to use HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography.
HDR photography no longer is about capturing shockingly gaudy images of abandoned factories or rusting automobiles.
It’s about making carefully balanced images that show details in the sky while preserving details in shadows.
For drones, HDR is a helpful method to even out a high-contrast image to ensure that it is what the human eye can see instead of being dependent on the limitations of the tiny camera sensors found in most drones.
To make HDR images with your drone’s camera, you must use bracketing, i.e., take pictures in short bursts, with different exposures. This is typically accomplished by adjusting the shutter speed
These photos can then be combined in the post-production process (using editing software like Lightroom, Photoshop or Aurora HDR, which is reviewed below).
You can snap these images manually by adjusting the shutter speed on your own or taking advantage of the bracketing features that will capture three or five photos automatically. You can find more bracketing strategies in this article.
- Shoot RAW
Shooting in RAW can allow you to recover highlight/shadow details | Credit: Mark Condon
Most drones allow JPEGs to be shot; however, to maximize the use of the camera’s sensor and get the best possible quality, it’s best to shoot RAW.
RAW files have more information than JPEG files. Moreover, even though you have to process and convert, you can adjust the white balance after taking the photo and can often make the most of a bit greater dynamic range.
For editing and processing RAW file, it is necessary to require image processing software, such as Lightroom or Luminar to check out alternative alternatives here.
- Find out how you can edit your photos
Naturally, we’re trying to make everything perfect in the moment of the capture; however, being able to modify your images could make what makes the distinction between quality photos and one that will captivate people’s attention.
With the help of software like Lightroom and Luminar, you are in complete control. You can crop photos to make them more pleasing as well as raise shadows, experiment with colours, adjust contrast, and eliminate distracting elements.
Adobe Lightroom is pretty much the industry standard it makes erasing power lines or adjusting the contrast and exposure of your photos a piece of cake.
Skylum Luminar 4 is one of the most well-known alternatives that comes with a variety of AI tools to assist you in replacing skies and create other wild edits on your landscapes.
In the last few days, Skylum has released Luminar AI ( see review). This software allows editing your drone photos even simpler, thanks to templates that can provide the most suitable locations to start editing your photos.
Whatever photo editing software you decide to use, You’ll need to know how to correct your lens when the wide-angle lens of the drone distorts your photos.
Additionally, the smaller sensor size of drone cameras makes their images susceptible to noise. Knowing how to eliminate this post-production can be beneficial. This is why Here’s an app which can help.
- Learn more about light
When the photographer is shooting from an aerial perspective or flying fast to capture stunning views, light is essential. As you’ll discover, the morning and evening hours typically provide the most beautiful light, free of dark shadows that be a nuisance in the middle of the day.
Gold hour and blue hours aren’t very long, yet another reason to have plans to ensure you’re as efficient as you can after your drone has been flying.
Although low-light drone photography is feasible, however, it’s not recommended, especially when using consumer models The typical drone used is small sensors and poor high ISO capabilities. Additionally, since it’s impossible for your drone to remain steady and stable, a slow shutter speed photograph may result in blurred photos.
Fly your drone in daylight hours and you’ll increase your chances of getting sharp, clear shots. However, you must try other times of day to see how incredible photos you can take.
- Play around with filters as well as long exposures and
Mavic Air 2 with Variable ND filter attached.
Thanks to advances in technology, the latest drones don’t rely on neutral density filters for shooting in bright lighting, however it’s worth knowing the functions of lens filters and how to utilize them.
Aerial photography lends it well for long exposures — especially of flowing water or traffic or if conditions are bright neutral density filters could be used to cut the amount of light that enters the camera’s lens.
This lets you reduce the camera’s shutter speed and blur the motion that is taking place in your photo.
Another popular use of filters for drones is while making videos. If you’re recording at 24fps with a shutter speed of around 1/20 during the day, your image will most likely be over-exposed, and this is why you’ll need a mini-filter to your drone’s camera to limit how much light that gets into the.
It is possible to get variable ND filters for drones for under $100. These are fantastic, as you can change the intensity (i.e. the opacity) without changing the filter.
- Learn the fundamentals of photography.
The rules you’ve been taught about composition can be applied to drone photography. So, you may be interested in learning the fundamentals of what constitutes a great photo and the best way to utilize the camera.
Photography using drones is based on solid geometric forms, strong contrasts in colour and texture, symmetry, patterns, and much more. Understanding the potential is best learned through practice. So, just take your drone out as often as you are able!
Camera technology is pretty adept in assessing how to expose a scene; however, you’ll often need to learn how to alter those settings to capture the best quality images, especially if you plan to take HDR images.
Alongside some fundamentals in compositional design, you’ll benefit from knowing the camera’s workings as well as how you can properly expose it without relying on automatic.
- Maximize the use of Tripod Mode
Tripod Mode can be useful for making precise changes to your composition while flying | Credit: Mark Condon
Most DJI drones have Tripod Mode, which might sound like a strange choice, but it’s beneficial for various reasons. In essence, Tripod Mode dramatically slows the drone’s speed, giving you to have more control.
Better control of your drone has a lot of benefits. It can help you avoid obstacles while flying through challenging conditions and make your life easier when setting your drone close to the ground.
This can be especially helpful when shooting indoors, which is a possibility for filming in a vast commercial spaces like warehouses.
You’ll usually want to utilize Tripod Mode when shooting stills because the higher level of accuracy makes it easier to adjust your camera’s position.
It also offers stability, which is important for time-lapses and hyperlapses.
- Make use of the flight simulator
To address the lack of drone pilots with experience, Flight simulators have been developed to assist users in learning to fly. This is especially useful in training for dangerous tasks like examining power lines.
Unfortunately, the top simulators tend to only be available to commercial customers and not accessible to photographers on a regular basis.
Companies like DJI go to extraordinary efforts to recreate the experience of flying a drone. Your time in this DJI Flight Simulator can have an effect on your skills as a pilot.
Final Words
Drone photography is vast; however, while there’s plenty to master, the results can be extremely satisfying.
The tips mentioned above will provide you with an excellent foundation to begin flying drones and taking amazing photographs from the sky.
