A few years ago, drone photography was left to the pros – everyday people didn’t usually indulge in aerial photography. Today, however, drones are much more common. And so are the applications of drones. There are affordable drones available across the internet and in tech stores everywhere, so flying a drone has become a common hobby.
Some drones come fitted with cameras so that you can take photos and videos from mid air, with the help of a smartphone or a remote controller. With this technology comes the opportunity to take amazing photos, whether it’s a beautiful landscape or a group photo that you can fit everyone in with the help of a drone.
Operating a drone for photography isn’t always easy, however, so we’ve come up with some helpful tips to make the most of your new photography drone!
Drone Photography Tips
- Buy the Right Drone
- Research Drone Flying Rules
- Learn How to Fly Your Drone
- Follow Photography Best Practices
- Account for the Weather
Buy the Right Drone
The first step to becoming a pro at drone photography is buying the right drone for your use! Drones come in plenty of different shapes and sizes, and more importantly with a variety of features to consider. If you’re using this drone for photography, you’ll need a drone that is either fitted with a camera or one that allows a camera attachment like a GoPro.
Research the drone before you buy; you’ll want to check out the features offered, camera quality, battery life, and customer reviews to ensure it works as the manufacturer describes. There are plenty of good camera drones on the market, so you’re sure to find one that works for you and fits within your budget.
Research Drone Flying Rules
Once you’ve picked your drone, research the rules surrounding drones before you try flying it. Drones are also known as unmanned aircraft systems, and there are laws about how and where they can be flown. Check out the FAA guidelines for drones and make yourself aware of any no-fly zones in the area where you plan to use your drone. Following drone flying rules is important for both your safety, the drone’s safety, and the safety of others.
Learn How to Fly Your Drone
Drones can be expensive, but even if you chose a budget drone you should be careful on your first flight. If you’ve never flown a drone before, you’ll have to learn how to work the controls and basic flying techniques. Even if you’ve used a drone, each one is different in terms of controls and sensitivity.
It’s important that you learn how to fly your drone to take great photos. You won’t be able to take a good photograph if you can’t hold the drone steady or don’t have enough control to properly frame the image.
Always read the instruction manual before flying a new drone. Most drones have flight speed settings, so start slow to give yourself a chance to get familiar with the controls. Just like with any other task, practice makes perfect – give yourself time to practice with the drone before attempting an important photoshoot.
Follow Best Photography Practices
It will be hard to take great drone photos if you have no experience taking photos in general. While you don’t have to be a photography expert, there are some general photography practices to follow to make the most of your camera drone.
The rule of thirds is a common photography practice that basically states that the subject of your photo should not be dead center, but along the lines of thirds. If you placed a 3×3 grid on your photo, photography rules state that the most appealing placement is along the lines.
Many drones have a feature that allows them to hover at a certain altitude. This can be useful when taking photos, as it will keep the drone steady for you.
Keep an eye on the lighting of your photo and avoid glare. It may be hard to tell from the drone’s angle, but optimizing your photo’s lighting will make a huge difference in terms of quality.
Stay on top of other general photography tips like motion blurring videos and images and apply them to your drone photography!
Account for the Weather
When taking photos and flying your drone in general, be sure to account for the weather if you’re flying outdoors. Wind can make it difficult to fly, let alone hold the drone steady enough for a photo. Rain or snow will damage most drones, so check if it is waterproof or water resistant before taking it out in the rain.
Take Amazing Aerial Photos with Your Drone
Follow these tips and keep in mind that practice makes perfect when it comes to drone photography! Drones open up a whole world of new possible photos, so find the right drone for you and start practicing today.
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