Drone photography is a widely popular form of photography and with the advancement of drone technology, we find more ways to make it accessible to the masses, with more safety perks and endurance features. In this article, we are going to take a look at some things to consider to enhance your drone footage so that you will be able to take better photos or record better videos.
#1: Don’t fly too high
It might be tempting to fly the drone to its maximum capacity but keep in mind that that could be dangerous and also negatively impacts the outcome of your photography. to put it simply, the higher you go, the more you risk drone damage due to unstable weather, and the less details your drone picks up of the landscape you are trying to shoot.
Make sure you keep the drone somewhat close to the ground in order to maximize photo quality and stay within the confines of the law preventing you from flying too high.
#2: Make good use of the light
As previously mentioned in our article about travel videos, shooting during “Golden Hour” yields the best outcome in your photos when it comes to tone and light temperature. You can shoot during sunrise and sunset. That’s when the light is ideal for all photography, and especially landscape photography using a drone.
Side-light is a common form of lighting in drone photography, as it is soft and coming from the side of the portrait or shot. It still lights up the entire landscape, but not as harshly as, say, the early-afternoon sun.
#3: Be creative with your choice of landscape
Position your lens in such a way that brings out the uniqueness of the patch of land/sea you aim to shoot. Look for patterns, symmetry, contrast. Rivers, beaches, hills, and mountains form visually pleasing shots if you position the drone in such a way that creates an interaction between the elements in the shot to show either contrast or symmetry.
#4: Use a tablet
Sure, a phone screen would do it in most cases, but a tablet has the advantage that it’s bigger, and therefore better shows you what you are shooting. It saves you the frustration of having to squint to see what you are shooting on your phone, and generally limits distractions. The comfort using a tablet offers greatly surpasses that of the phone as it allows you to navigate the drone with much more ease.
#5: Pack spare batteries
This is a tip for all types of shooting ranging from photo sessions to film shoots; always make sure you have spare batteries at hand for when the battery runs out, or malfunctions for whatever reason. Any film maker/videographer/photographer will tell you that this is a golden rule. It is highly frustrating and counterproductive to have to leave the set or the shoot to go get a new battery. It doesn’t seem like important advice, and it is quite frequently overlooked, but trust us, you’re going to need it.
#6: Take care of your gear
This one sounds like a no brainer, but honestly, it’s very easy to crash a drone if you are not careful. As soon as your battery hit “low”, make sure it has enough power to fly back to wherever you are. If it doesn’t, the second best option would be to land it somewhere you know is safe and make your way towards it.
Get out there and capture some beautiful aerial shots! It’s a massive world out there, with an abundance of inspiring landscapes. We hope to have given you some insight on how to effectively and safely use your drone, and that you will take what you read into account on your next drone adventure. On that note, we at Business Motion shoot live action videos as well as a mixture of both animation and live action. Whether it’s an interview or an explainer video, we’ve got it covered. Don’t hesitate to contact us for inquiries about your next video project!