Howdy, fellow drone pilots! If you’re here, you’re likely looking for drone beginner tips and guidance on capturing stunning aerial shots or footage through drone photography. You’ve come to the right place for drone tips that are especially suited for beginners in aerial photography and are not overly complicated. Though I’m a firm believer in the adage ‘practice makes perfect’, I often ponder, ‘Are there any straightforward drone basics or techniques I can use right now?’ And yes, there certainly are! Here’s my top list of time-proven techniques, a drone guide if you will, that will instantly elevate your aerial photography skills to the next level. Bonus: they’re absolutely beginner-friendly and easy to replicate!
In general, all these drone tips can be applied whether you’re shooting still photos or filming video footage. However, some tips are more specific to video filming, particularly those on achieving a cinematic effect in your videos. These will be marked as ‘video tip’ throughout the article. If you’re especially interested in achieving that buttery smooth cinematic look, I have a separate post dedicated exclusively to cinematic movements in aerial videography. While some techniques may require a bit more practice, others are easily replicable even for beginner pilots. So, don’t miss out and be sure to read the following article next!
Gentle Reminder:
As always, I advocate for safe and responsible flying. I will never tire of reminding myself and everyone around that being a drone pilot is an exciting and immersive journey, but safety must always come first. Please use your common sense and practice responsible and conscious flying!
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Table of Contents
- 1. Spice Up Your Drone Photography: Tilt-Down Perspective
- 2. Low Altitude, High Impact
- 3. The Rule of Thirds in Drone Photography: A Guide for Balanced Shots
- 4. Juxtaposing Elements from Above
- 5. Magic of ND Filters
- 6. Bonus Tip: Cinematic Flights
- 7. Key Takeaways from ‘5 Essential Tips for Beginners to Capture Stunning Drone Footage’
- 8. The End
- Related Articles to Read
1. Spice Up Your Drone Photography: Tilt-Down Perspective
This is probably my favourite technique, even after many years into my aerial photography journey. Why? Just look at the photo below:
The beauty of aerial photography is that it lets you adopt a bird’s-eye view, uncovering hidden beauty in ordinary places and presenting the familiar from an unfamiliar angle. Poetic, right?
By simply tilting your drone’s camera downward (90° angle), you can often find beautiful, unexpected patterns and symmetries, whether in landscapes or urban scenes.
1.1 Video Tip
This technique works well not only for photos but also for videos. To spice up your video footage and make it more interesting, try implementing the following drone tip (it takes some practice and steady fingers, but the results are worth it)!
Once you’ve found the motif, pattern, or symmetry you want to capture and have adjusted your drone camera by tilting the gimbal downwards, try this technique: combine vertical and rotary movements. Don’t panic; it’s less complicated than it sounds!
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Start by moving your drone up or down using the corresponding joystick. This results in the movement you’re most likely already familiar with: your drone simply moves vertically, up or down
- While continuously holding the “up or down” toggle with one finger (usually the left), slowly start using the right joystick with your right finger. The key is to move slowly. Here’s what happens: when the camera is tilted all the way down (90° degrees), and you slowly adjust the right joystick, your gimbal, and hence the camera, starts rotating. If you apply too much pressure or your movements are abrupt, the gimbal will rotate too quickly, resulting in footage that might be unpleasant to watch (potentially causing nausea) or unstable and jittery
- BUT, if you slowly start moving the joystick with a gentle touch, you’ll achieve smooth and cinematic footage, like the example below:
2. Low Altitude, High Impact
A common misconception about aerial videography is that it’s all about reaching greater heights. However, as with everything in life, the truth lies somewhere in between-both high and low-altitude flights have their unique advantages. While high-altitude flights provide a broader canvas for shooting, you don’t always need to fly to the maximum altitude to capture a unique perspective.
Check out the photo below:
Low-altitude flights often offer as much potential, if not more, than high-altitude ones. When launching your drone, resist the urge to immediately soar skyward. Instead, spend a few minutes exploring the scenery at a lower altitude before ascending higher. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, as you progress in your drone journey, you’ll discover that the most captivating shots aren’t necessarily found at the highest altitudes.
3. The Rule of Thirds in Drone Photography: A Guide for Balanced Shots
You’re probably already familiar with this rule: in the world of photography, the rule of thirds is a versatile technique. It’s valuable not only in ground photography but also proves to be an excellent tool in aerial photography. This rule involves dividing your image with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, creating nine equal segments. You can then place your subjects along these lines or at their intersections to create a visually pleasing composition.
Your Cheatsheet
- Activate Your Grid:
Don’t shoot blindly. Most drones come with a nifty feature that overlays a grid on your monitor. Use it! Aligning subjects with these intersecting lines can turn a good shot into a great one. It gives the scene balance and naturally guides the viewer’s eye across the picture.
- Place with Purpose:
Resist the urge to center everything. Instead, position key elements at the intersections or along the lines. This is where the magic happens. Be it a lone tree, a winding river, or a mountain peak, let these points be the anchors of your aerial composition.
- Balance and Harmony:
You can also create tension or harmony by playing with symmetrical or asymmetrical layouts. Keep in mind, the rule of thirds goes beyond simply arranging subjects; it’s primarily about creating a photo that looks and feels just right. Mastering this rule may feel overwhelming at first, but trust me, with each flight, it becomes more intuitive. Pat yourself on the back when you nail it, and don’t sweat it if you have to crop a bit in post-processing to perfect your composition.
4. Juxtaposing Elements from Above
In aerial photography, juxtaposition is a powerful technique where contrasting elements are strategically placed together in a frame, creating a compelling narrative or highlighting stark differences.
- Contrasting Colors: Utilising complementary or opposite colors on the color wheel to create striking visuals. Imagine capturing the vibrant red of a boat against the serene blue of the sea.
- Opposing Patterns: Placing organic patterns, like river ripples, against geometric city streets, showcasing the interplay between nature and human-made structures.
- Size and Scale: This involves contrasting small, seemingly insignificant elements against large, dominant subjects. A tiny tree in a vast desert or a lone person against a sprawling cityscape can dramatically convey isolation or introspection.
In aerial photography, juxtaposition is not merely about visual contrast but also the deeper narrative it creates. Each contrasting element should add depth and context to the overall story, engaging viewers and encouraging them to explore the underlying meanings of the image.
As a final tip, remember not to overdo this tactic. What makes juxtaposition powerful is its ability to spotlight peculiar contrasts. If overused, the technique loses its potency. Be selective, keep an eye out for naturally occurring contrasts, and aim to narrate a story through your photographs.
5. Magic of ND Filters
Let’s discuss a drone tip that’s just as vital in ground photography-the magic of ND filters! This tool is a game-changer, particularly when tackling overexposed landscapes like dazzling mountain tops or shimmering oceans.
So, what exactly are ND filters? For those with a photographic background, you might already be familiar with them. ND stands for Neutral Density, and you can think of these filters as sunglasses for your drone’s camera. They reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor, allowing you to manage exposure even in bright settings. This becomes crucial when flying over intensely lit environments such as mountainous regions or vast oceans.
Imagine trying to capture the snow-capped Alps or the glistening waves of the Pacific. Without an ND filter, your images risk being overexposed, losing the intricate details and vibrant colors in the harsh light. By using ND filters of varying strengths, like ND8 or ND16, based on the brightness, you can protect your footage from being washed out and maintain the natural beauty of the scene.
6. Bonus Tip: Cinematic Flights
This drone tip is primarily for video filming, but it’s so useful that I couldn’t resist mentioning it here as well. It’s a simple yet often overlooked aspect.
Say goodbye to hectic and jittery footage with Cinematic Mode!
For every drone beginner eager to master drone photography and videography, achieving those smooth pans and tilts that make aerial footage cinematic and enticing is a key goal. One step closer to this goal is switching to Cinematic Mode. I’ll keep it brief here, but if you’re curious about different controller modes and their purposes, feel free to check out this related post.
What does Cinematic Mode do, and why should you use it?
In a nutshell, switching to this mode involves:
- Increased Aircraft’s Braking Distance
In Cinematic Mode, your drone won’t stop abruptly. Instead, it eases to a halt, reducing sudden movements and creating smoother footage. This mode lowers the throttle response sensitivity, allowing your drone to gently float to a stop after you release the controls-meaning no more jittery footage - Reduced Yaw Movement
Cinematic Mode also subtly controls the drone’s turning, avoiding sharp movements and contributing to the smoothness of your footage
However, it’s important to note that in Cinematic Mode, your drone takes longer to stop. This can increase the risk of collisions, especially in areas with obstacles like trees or buildings!
7. Key Takeaways from ‘5 Essential Tips for Beginners to Capture Stunning Drone Footage’
Since we’ve covered quite a bit of ground (or should I say, sky?), here’s a brief overview of the key points we’ve explored together in the exciting world of drone flying and aerial footage:
7.1 Tilt Down for Unique Perspectives
The simple act of pointing your camera straight down from your drone can reveal mesmerising patterns and symmetries. It’s a handy skill in aerial photography, transforming ordinary scenes into visually striking abstracts from above
7.2 Beauty of Low Altitude
There’s a special charm in flying just a few meters above the ground. Low-altitude flights allow you to capture intricate details and textures, which sometimes might be missed in high-altitude shots. So, the next time you’re tempted to ascend straight into the sky-and let’s be honest, it sounds far more impressive and interesting to peek at the scenery from high above-don’t forget the low-altitude perspective. You might be pleasantly surprised!
7.3 Balance Your Shots with the Rule of Thirds
Use this drone tip to create balanced and engaging compositions. Imagine a grid over your image and place key elements at the intersections or along the lines. This strategy not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your shots but also guides the viewer’s eye through the scene, making your aerial footage more harmonious
7.4 Juxtaposition for Compelling Narratives
By placing contrasting elements side by side, you can create compelling and thought-provoking images. Whether it’s the stark contrast between urban landscapes and natural settings or the interplay of different textures and patterns, juxtaposition in drone photography is a powerful tool for storytelling from above
7.5 Use ND Filters for Perfect Exposure
ND filters are like sunglasses for your drone. They help you manage bright conditions, reducing glare and preventing overexposure. This is particularly important in aerial videography and photography to maintain color accuracy and detail in your footage, especially under intense sunlight
7.6 Bonus Video Tip: Smooth Cinematic Flights
As an extra video tip, explore the Cinematic Mode on your drone. This mode allows for smoother and more graceful movements, easing the braking and reducing the sensitivity of controls. It’s perfect for creating a professional, film-like quality in your footage, ensuring that each movement contributes to the storytelling aspect of your aerial videography
8. The End
Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey. Thanks for sticking with me all the way through, and I hope you’ve picked up some useful tips to enhance your aerial photography and videography skills.
Keep in mind, this guide isn’t exhaustive; there’s always more to learn and explore. Photography, be it on land or in the sky, is an art form, and every artist develops their unique style. Remember, there’s no single ‘right’ way to do it. Each flight is a new chance to sharpen your abilities and see the world from a different angle. Approach every flight with eagerness to learn and improve. Whether it’s nailing a tracking shot, exploring new angles of the landscape, adapting to different lighting conditions, refining your composition, or trying out new flight techniques, there’s always something new to achieve!
Safe and happy flying!
As always, please feel free to drop me a message here or on IG if you have any questions or insights from your own flying adventures. After all, when we share our knowledge, we’re helping fellow pilots soar even higher!
Related Articles to Read
If you’re still full of energy and looking for deeper insights into aerial photography and drone flying, my other articles have exactly what you need. Explore them for more helpful tips. You’re sure to find something valuable!