Capturing the world from above is a magical experience. But taking powerful aerial photos isn’t easy.
Patterns occur naturally in nature and they’re a beautiful way to add interest and depth to your shots!
Many drone cameras have a slider that you can use to focus. This would be the equivalent of a focus ring on a regular camera.
Plan Your Shoot
It’s important to prepare for your shoot before you take off with your drone. This includes gathering your gear, scouting the location and even checking weather conditions. It can also be helpful to look at photos of the area that have been taken by others or on Google Earth so you can get a sense of the landscape and the kinds of shots that might be possible.
You’ll also want to think about how high or low you’ll be flying. Your perspective will change depending on the height, and this can have a big impact on how the landscape looks in your shot. For example, if you’re shooting a mountain landscape, you’ll probably want to fly fairly high so that you can capture the whole scene. On the other hand, if you’re shooting a lake, you may want to fly lower so that you can get a more detailed view of the water.
Finally, it’s important to remember the basics of photography when you’re flying your drone. This means keeping things simple, using the rule of thirds and leading lines, and looking for symmetry and patterns. It’s also a good idea to practice using different angles and to use slow motion when you’re shooting videos or still photos. This is because if you move too quickly, your images will have motion blur.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to always shoot in RAW format. This will give you the most flexibility in post-production. RAW files contain all of the image data that the camera has captured, so they’re much more flexible than JPEG files, which only contain a fraction of the information. You can learn more about RAW formatting by reading your drone’s manual or visiting its website.
Find the Right Location
Once you’ve got a composition in mind, the next step is to find the right location for your drone photography. There are many factors to consider, including weather conditions and local laws and regulations. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the area is large enough for your drone to fly and that it won’t be flying too close to other structures or people.
Drones, i.e the DJI Matrice 30T (M30T) Thermal Drone Combo, have revolutionized aerial photography by giving photographers access to unique perspectives and angles that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive with traditional equipment. However, there are still some barriers to entry, such as the cost of purchasing and operating a drone, learning how to fly it, and navigating complex legal regulations.
To help ease the burden, there are a number of online tools that can be used to find ideal locations for drone photos. One such tool is Google Earth, which allows you to examine stitched satellite photos of areas around the world. By using this tool, you can discover stunning landscapes and locations that are perfect for your drone shots.
Another way to find great locations for your drone photos is to look for a place with interesting shapes or patterns. These shapes can add depth and interest to your image, and they can also create a calming or tensional effect. Additionally, you can use shapes to draw the viewer’s eye through the frame and to direct their attention to a particular element of the scene.
If you’re looking for a dramatic or moody drone photo, you may want to try taking a long exposure shot. This technique requires a drone with a good gimbal stabilization system and a steady hand, but the results can be well worth the effort.
Set Your Camera Settings
A camera drone offers a unique perspective on the world that you simply can’t get with a traditional camera. However, it’s important to know how to use your drone correctly in order to achieve the best results. This is particularly true when it comes to the camera settings, as using the wrong settings can result in blurry or unfocused images.
The first step is to set your camera’s ISO and aperture. The ideal setting for both of these is 100 ISO and f/4-f/5.6. This is to ensure that your images are as sharp as possible, and it will also help to reduce the amount of noise in the image.
It’s also important to set your camera to auto exposure bracketing (AEB). AEB is a technique that allows the drone to take a series of shots at different exposures, and then stitch them together to create a single high dynamic range image. This is particularly useful for drone photography, as it helps to eliminate the problems that can occur with high contrast scenes such as snow or water.
Another good tip is to set your drone to manual shooting mode. This will give you complete control over the camera settings and allow you to customize them to your specific needs. It’s also a good idea to practice with your drone before you try it out for something important, so that you can become familiar with the process and make any necessary adjustments.
Finally, it’s a good idea to shoot your images in RAW format rather than JPEG. This is because drone cameras have smaller sensors than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, so they tend to produce lower-quality images when shot in JPEG. By shooting in RAW, you can avoid this problem and ensure that your photos are as high-quality as possible.
Fly Your Drone
Once you’ve got a great location, the right composition in mind, and the best camera settings set, it’s time to fly your drone. It can be tricky to get used to the controls, so it’s important to practice and keep calm. A good technique is to imagine that you are sitting inside the drone and flying it, this can help you maintain control of it even when you’re making big movements. This is how many professional drone photographers operate their cameras, and it can help you to achieve your perfect shot.
When you’re practicing, try to focus on the important aspects of photography such as composition and framing, and keeping things in focus and within the frame. Remember to follow the Rule of Thirds, and look out for leading lines that can guide your viewer’s eye into the image. It’s also important to keep in mind that the quality of a drone’s camera is much lower than a DSLR, so make sure to use the best settings to minimise noise.
Another great practice is to do some manual bracketing, this is a technique that allows you to take several images at different exposures in one go and then combine them in post-processing to create a high-quality image with greater dynamic range. Be careful when using this technique though, as you don’t want to blow out any highlights or expose the image too much.
Once you’ve gotten the hang of flying your drone, you can start to try some more complex shots. One great option is to try taking a series of photos in a panoramic mode. This will allow you to capture a wide-angle scene that would be impossible with a single, fixed camera point. You can then stitch these photos together in software such as Lightroom to create a high-quality panoramic image.
Edit Your Images
Once you’ve finished flying your drone and captured some beautiful shots, it’s time to start editing them. Drone photography relies almost entirely on post-production to make the final photo shine. Using Lightroom, you can make the most of the amazing details that a drone captures.
Use the HSL panel to creatively manipulate colors in your photos. This powerful tool allows you to control the hue, saturation, and luminosity of each individual color in your image. It’s a great way to add some extra flair to your images and create stunningly unique photos.
Long exposures are another way to add a creative touch to your drone photos. This technique lets you capture more subtle movement, like swaying trees or crashing waves. Whether you’re creating an architectural shot or simply showcasing the beauty of a natural landscape, long exposures are a great way to add drama and depth to your images.
Another handy editing trick is to use the new masking feature in Lightroom. This tool automatically selects the sky or subject in your photo and then allows you to adjust their exposure and color. This is especially useful for landscapes or portraits where you might want to adjust the brightness of the sky or the contrast of the skin.
One last tip is to try and keep your drone as stable as possible. It’s best to avoid wind currents when shooting, as these can cause your drone to move and result in a blurry or out-of-focus image.
Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flying heights. As a general rule, the higher you fly, the more that will be included in your frame. This can often lead to cluttered or confusing compositions, so try flying lower and zooming in closer to your subject.
