Introduction
Photography has come a long way since the advent of the first camera. For example, taking and storing photographs has become much easier thanks to the complex chemical process of making a photograph, first proposed in 1839. Today, photographers can use electronic chips to copy and store digital photos on their computer.
Unlike in years past, there are countless ways to capture amazing quality aerial footage. For example, using the camera of a portable drone. Drones allow you to shoot from unconventional angles and perspectives. This means that photographers, for example, no longer have to get close to their subject to capture the perfect shot. In other words, using the potential of drone photography and videography will help you see your subject from a whole new angle.
How to improve your drone photography skills
Get amazing aerial photos with one of the best drones available on the market. But if you want to take your skills up a notch, you need to recognize that pressing the shutter button is only half of what makes a great photo. In this connection, in addition to buying a drone, you will need to develop a number of good habits so that later on you can take impressive aerial shots over and over again.
1 – Get ready for the walk
Make the most of your drone photo shoot getting ready for the walk. Start by exploring locations for filming. Determine the best views, experiment with light, think about what possible obstacles you might encounter, and so on. Another thing you should prioritize is finding out if your destination requires a permit to fly.
This approach will help you make the difference between having a continuous smooth process and delays in your photography project.
2 – Test drive the drone before shooting
Like any other skill, flying a drone requires several hours of training. At first glance, learning how to fly a UAV might seem like a simple task. But if you want to constantly progress, you will need to understand what the limits and capabilities of your drone are. Flying training will teach you how to manage your time during aerial photography, as the autonomy of some drones can be as low as 15 minutes.
3 – Shoot RAW
The drone camera gives you the ability to create images in either JPEG or RAW image formats. Each format serves its own purpose. RAW photo – an image obtained from raw (raw) data from the camera matrix. And although these photos are flatter and less contrasty, shooting in RAW format is ideal for drone photographers, as it provides more opportunities for professional photo editing. RAW images can be edited using so-called RAW converters. For example, applications such as Photoshop can work with camera RAW data to produce high quality edited images.
4 – Be creative
Learning to fly a drone is only one part of the equation. The other part involves using this drone to create art. To create impressive shots, you must have a good understanding of the basics of photography, such as composition, exposure, subject, colors, and the like. Since you want to create an attractive image, you will need to combine different elements or shoot from different heights to see what works best. Being creative will make your shots stand out more.
5 – Edit your photos like a pro
Capturing beautiful aerial photos doesn’t stop after the drone lands. The process of creating a great photo continues until you edit the footage. If you think your photos already look impressive, powerful image editing tools such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, Corel AfterShoot Pro, RawTherapee and the like can further enhance their beauty.
6 – Pay attention to nature
Imagine preparing for an aerial shoot only to lose control of the controls and crash the drone to the ground before you can take any shots. Sad, isn’t it? Therefore, avoid such accidents by taking the following factors into account when shooting:
- It is worth paying attention to the wind speed, which is usually stronger at higher altitudes than at ground level. Use various mobile apps such as UAV Forecast (iOS/Android) to inform.
- Another factor you might want to pay attention to is the birds in the area where you plan to take your aerial photography. For example, seagulls may attack your drone due to their territorial nature.
7 – Allow yourself to experiment
Using a photography drone is one of the best ways to take your photography to the next level. It lets you shoot from incredible, hard-to-reach angles, so you can easily capture panoramas and shoot long exposures. Experiment with different angles, shots and styles. This approach will allow you to get your own creative juices.
In custody…
Drones open up a whole world of possibilities. Ordinary cameras can take great photos, but drones allow people to capture the world from perspective and give photos a sense of wonder. Take your photos from amateur to amazing and improve your drone photography skills today.
Video
20 exceptional drone cinematic footage.