Shooting Landscapes With a Drone

Learning to shoot landscapes with a drone definitely comes with a steep learning curve. It’s incredibly difficult at first, but it slowly becomes easier and easier once you get the hang of it(especially abstract landscape photography) - just like everything else in photography! 

When you’re shooting landscapes with a drone, the landscapes completely transform into something otherworldly. Where other photographers can take beautiful landscape photographs, you can take magnificent ones.  

For the purposes of this article, I’m going to be talking about the DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone because it's the version I own. It’s also on sale on Adorama for $1,599 right now as an added bonus.

What Shooting Landscapes with a Drone Looks Like

Brendan van Son also owns a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and shows you exactly what shooting landscapes with a drone looks like in the video above. 

Shooting landscapes with a drone allows you to take mesmerizing video footage of scenery, but it also allows you to take beautiful panoramas. 

photo by olaser via iStock 

And isn’t drone photography all about a different kind of perspective? 

Getting above it all and having the capability of capturing images of the landscape from a completely different point of view is invigorating and it can stoke your creativity. 

Besides, it’s a fun challenge! It’s hard enough to take great shots with a camera you’re holding in your hands while you stand on the ground. Taking great photos while the camera is flying around overhead will put your photography skills (and piloting skills) to the test.

What Drone Settings Should I Use? 

photo by PhonlamaiPhoto via iStock 

So, you’ve purchased your drone, watched as many tutorials as possible and have your first shoot location scouted. What settings should you use?

DJI’s Mavic 2 Pro drone features a Hasselblad camera with a 1-inch sensor that can take 20MP photos. If you are purchasing a drone specifically for landscape photography, make sure you buy one with a sensor of at least 1-inch, that way you maximize resolution without having to buy a drone that’s overly large.  

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro also comes with a wide-angle 28mm lens, which allows me to shoot landscape shots that don’t look bug-eyed while also allowing me to capture a wide view of the landscape below.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash 

Most drones will allow you to get a smartphone app that syncs to your drone and keeps everything very familiar for you, meaning you can choose your shooting modes from full auto to completely manual.  

But, there are some new methods you should be aware of when it comes to shooting landscapes with a drone. 

For instance, “windowing” is when your drone will crop a section of your total photo resolution for you, while “subsampling” is when your drone resamples the image signal which results in less bright colors. 

In the video above by Tom’s Tech Time, you can get a thorough overview of the best camera settings for the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

Benefits of Shooting Landscapes with a Drone

Photo by USGS on Unsplash

One of my favorite benefits of shooting landscapes with a drone is that you can create abstract photographs of the landscape. For instance, the photo above is of highly eroded plateaus rise from the desert floor in Egypt. 

Photo by USGS on Unsplash 

Or, the above shot, which is of fluorescent plankton in the dark waters of the Baltic Sea.  

But, abstract landscapes are not the only benefit of shooting landscapes with a drone. 

You can also create new composition in old areas (textures sometimes don’t present themselves from eye level), reach hard-to-photograph places, and capture scenes over water. 

Just be sure you understand local drone regulations before you fly. If you’re not sure if it’s legal to fly a drone, don’t launch! Many people have gotten into serious trouble for flying drones where they shouldn’t.

This blog post about "Shooting Landscapes With a Drone" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/shooting-landscapes-with-a-drone

7 Awesome Tips for Your Summer Drone Photography

Remember the days when having a mirrorless camera was cutting-edge?

Those days are gone, and if you don't have a drone to use for photography, well, you're behind the times!

What I love about drone photography is the unique perspective you get when taking photos. You would definitely love this article about underwater drone with camera selection if you already like dron photography.

It reminds me of looking out the window of an airplane as you come in for a landing...

The trick, of course, is to figure out how to frame up shots from above that look amazing.

Our friends over at the Cooperative of Photography (COOPH) have teamed up with photographer Christoph Oberschneider to give us the summer drone photography tips we all need.

Check them out in the video above, and for a step-by-step breakdown, see the text below.

Shoot Your Sport

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Whether it's your weekly ultimate frisbee league or your kid's summer soccer tournament, sporting events offer some excellent subject matter for drone photography.

Once the action starts, fly directly above for some fun aerial shots. By looking directly down at the athletes, you'll be able to offer viewers a bit of scale as the players will be fairly small in relation to their surroundings.

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

If possible, shoot your aerial sports photos in the morning or evening when there's nice sidelighting.

With the sun a little lower in the sky, your subjects will cast interesting shadows across the frame, which creates a lot of depth in the image, as seen above.

Look for patterns or textures, too. They add a bit of a dynamic feel to the shot and help break up the monotony of the background, or, in this case, the ground!

Share Your Perspective

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

You know how sometimes you're on top of an awesome mountain, and you wish you could show viewers what you see, but still be in the shot, too?

Well, if you have a drone, you can do just that!

Set it to hover above and behind you, and trigger the shutter to get an epic-looking selfie like the one below!

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Including yourself in the shot gives context to the scene, allowing viewers to understand the scope and breadth of the landscape because they can see something familiar in the shot - you!

This third-person kind of view is unique, interesting, and eye-catching. Give it a try!

Use Water as a Backdrop

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH 

Water is a great backdrop for drone photography for a couple of reasons.

First, the water offers interesting colors and textures that help add depth and dimension to the shot. This is especially true if the water is shallow and the rocks and sand beneath the surface are visible.

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Second, since water tends to be in the blue spectrum, it's a great color to help set off your subject, especially if they have colorful props, as seen above.

Just be sure the props you select don't overwhelm the shot with their color, texture, or size. You still want your human subject to be what draws people's attention in the shot!

Barbeque Time

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Whether you're cooking hot dogs over an open fire in the woods or simply out in your backyard grilling up some burgers, it's a great time to take to the skies and snag some aerial shots of fun times with friends and family.

As was noted earlier with the tips on shooting sporting events, look for opportunities to take advantage of long shadows being cast across the scene.

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Additionally, incorporate interesting colors, textures, and patterns when applicable.

As mentioned above, this helps give the shot a little more visual appeal without being too visually overwhelming.

Make Words and Shapes

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

With an aerial point of view, you've got a prime setup to grab a few friends and make some words for the camera.

Naturally, the more friends you involve, the bigger the word you can make!

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Of course, the bigger the word, the higher you'll need to fly in order to accommodate all those folks.

But if words aren't your thing, try making interesting shapes by having a friend lay on the ground and giving them props to create whatever their creative mind can come up with!

Add a Sense of Drama

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH 

Who doesn't love a dramatic photo?

Since we don't often see shots from high above, drone photography is inherently dramatic.

But you can ramp up the drama even more by shooting over the edge of a cliff.

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

By giving viewers that feeling of vertical depth, you can induce that feeling of vertigo you get when you peer over a cliff's edge in real life!

Just be sure that your camera is focused on the person in the shot - that way the deeper parts of the image appear blurry and indicate to the eye just how far away they are.

Capture the Camping Experience

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

Camping is a great subject for drone photography because not only do you have a beautiful landscape to document, but the situation is also ripe for snagging shots of campfires and tents that are illuminated from inside.

To punch up the drama, send your drone both above and out, that way your camera can capture your campsite and offer a view of the landscape beyond as well.

YouTube Screenshot/COOPH

You can also slow the shutter speed down to lighten the image as the sun fades.

The slower shutter will create some cool effects as the fire crackles and you move around your camp.

In the end, pretty much anything you do with a drone is going to be cool, if you ask me.

I love the top-down perspective of drone photos, and I especially love the creative ideas that COOPH and Christoph Oberschneider came up with in their video!

Carry Your Drone (and Other Gear) in Style

Of course, to get awesome photos with your drone, you need a way to get it and all your other gear to the shoot location.

So why not utilize a bag that not only protects your drone and associated gear while also doing it in style?

The Vanguard Alta Sky 51D is a bag that certainly fits the bill...

As you can see above, this bag is massive, giving you all sorts of room for your gear.

In fact, the Alta Sky 51D can accommodate up to two professional DSLRs (with lenses attached!), 3-4 additional lenses, a flash, and other necessities like spare batteries and memory cards.

Alternatively, you can use the bag to carry your drone and all its accessories, in addition to having room left over for a mirrorless camera setup and an additional lens.

What makes all this storage possible is the innovating 1/3-2/3 division system that Vanguard incorporated into this bag.

That means that you can decide how much of the bag you need to dedicate for gear and how much you can use for storing items that you need for your adventure, like a jacket, sunglasses, and so forth.

And no matter what you're carrying, the Alta Sky 51D's full rear opening, side access, and top access panels give you quick access to anything you need.

Once the bag is open, there's no fumbling around trying to find your gear, either, thanks to the incredible level of organization the bag offers (the brightly colored interior helps, too!).

It's easy to carry as well - the ergonomic Air System back, harness, and waist belt means that you can carry your gear in ultimate comfort.

In other words, drone photography isn't just about getting the cool shots as outlined earlier - it's also about getting your gear where you're going and doing so in supreme comfort. The Vanguard Alta Sky 51D does just that.

This blog post about "7 Awesome Tips for Your Summer Drone Photography" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/7742-7-awesome-tips-for-your-summer-drone-photography

The New DJI Mavic Air Drone is a Game-Changer

I think we can all agree that DJI is the king of drones.

After all, they control about 70 percent of the consumer drone market.

But now that they've unleashed their newest drone, the DJI Mavic Air, I wouldn't be surprised if their share of the consumer drone market went higher.

That's because the Mavic Air is full of innovative features, is about the size of a smartphone when its folded down, and it's priced between their existing Spark and Mavic Pro drones, starting at $799.

In other words, this thing might just be a game-changer. Here's why...

For starters, the Mavic Air is a tiny thing, weighing less than one pound, and measures 168x83x49 millimeters.

That makes the Mavic Air slightly larger than the Spark and significantly smaller than the Mavic Pro.

But like its big brother the Mavic Pro, the Mavic Air has foldable arms that give it a small form factor for easy transport - something that other drones cannot claim.

 

And because it's so small and lightweight, DJI says the Mavic Air can reach speeds of more than 42mph when in sport mode. 

That's significantly faster than the Spark (30mph) and even faster than the Mavic Pro (40mph), making this not only an easily transportable drone but a lighting-fast one as well.

Add to that a 2.5-mile flight range (when using the included controller) and flight capabilities in winds of up to 22mph, and you have the makings of one heck of a capable drone.

Onboard is a 12-megapixel camera that sports a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that's paired with a 24mm f/2.8 lens.

The drone has 8GB of built-in storage and includes a USB-C port for easy transfer of photo and video files.

Speaking of video, the Mavic Air can shoot in 4K up to 30fps and slow-motion 1080p video up to 120fps, and those videos will be ultra-smooth thanks to the built-in three-axis gimbal.

This bad boy can also shoot HDR, and with a 32-megapixel panoramic mode, you can take breathtakingly wide and detailed shots of the landscape as you fly.

 

The Mavic Air is loaded with features to help you fly safer, too.

DJI's already excellent obstacle-avoidance system has been upgraded with seven cameras as well as infrared sensors that help pilots avoid other drones as well as obstacles like trees, buildings, and the like.

The Air incorporates the Spark's ingenious gesture controls as well, so you can launch the drone and take pictures with specific hand movements.

It also incorporates intelligent flight modes that allow you to take specific types of sweeping shots, like a boomerang mode that whizzes around the pilot in a circular motion and ActiveTrack mode, which allows you to track up to 16 different subjects at the same time, even if they're moving.

With a flight time of 21 minutes, an included remote control (that's foldable!), and a companion app that allows you to immediately share your photos and videos on social media, this drone has all the makings of a game-changer. Get more details about the Mavic Air in the video above by The Verge.

Not only do you get new gadgetry with unparalleled performance, but you also get some of the best features of the Mavic Pro in a smaller, less expensive drone.

This blog post about "The New DJI Mavic Air Drone" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8228-the-new-dji-mavic-air-drone-is-a-game-changer

Getting Started in Drone Photography for Real Estate

Now more than ever, Realtors and real estate photographers are using drones to create both still images and videos of properties.

Not only does the perspective from above offer an excellent view of the entire property, but it also allows you to highlight the location of the property, the proximity of neighbors, amenities, streets, and so forth.

You can even use a drone to take photos and videos inside a property, which helps create a dynamic marketing portfolio that can help get the property sold faster.

If you’re new to using drone photography for real estate, consult the article below for some tips on how to get started.

Benefits of Using a Drone for Real Estate Photography 

photo by JamesBrey via iStock

Since the vast majority of home searches begin online, a drone is a perfect tool for a real estate photographer to capture the attention and imagination of potential buyers.

Using a drone, you can:

• Show interesting architectural details
• Give viewers an overview of the property
• Highlight million-dollar views
• Explore the surrounding area
• Help potential buyers envision themselves living on the property 

And that’s just the start.

While still photos and videos taken from ground level can be very well done and engaging to potential buyers, drone footage can help you elevate the quality of the portfolio of images you create. Pairing the two together is an ideal approach. 

Step 1: Get a Drone for Real Estate

photo by nullplus via iStock 

Today, there are dozens and dozens of drones that could be used for real estate photography. All that selection can be a bit overwhelming, though.

When shopping for a drone for real estate, considering which features are useful can help narrow the options. Features to look for include:

• Camera quality - You want a drone with a high-resolution camera (i.e., 20-megapixels) that offers 4K video capabilities with a high frame rate (i.e., 8 fps).
• Flight time - Most top-end drones are capable of 25-30 minute flight times, which should be sufficient for most properties.
• Control range - Some drones only have a range of several hundred yards, which can inhibit your freedom to get high-angle or wide-angle photos and videos of a property. If possible, get a drone that has a range of at least one mile just to be safe.
• Stability - A drone with a built-in gimbal or gyroscope will help keep it level for sharp photos and smooth videos. Some drones are so stable that you can get bracketed exposures as well.
• Safety features - Many drones have anti-collision systems and fail-safes that return them to home when the battery is low. These features are particularly important if you’ll be using them in populated areas.

Below is more information about three drones that fit the criteria above. 

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 gets high marks from real estate photographers for its 20-megapixel camera, its ability to shoot 4K video at 60 fps (which is great for slow-motion video), its 30-minute flight time, its multi-directional obstacle avoidance system, and its range of well over four miles. 

The DJI Inspire 2 is another solid option for real estate photography. It has a one-inch, 20-megapixel sensor that is capable of recording video at up to 6K. Its dual battery system enables flight times of up to 27 minutes while its self-heating technology allows you to fly in cold temperatures. With multiple intelligent flight modes, you can create sweeping, cinematic videos of properties with the touch of a button. 

A final option is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Perhaps the best feature of this drone is the Hasselblad 20-megapixel sensor that has an adjustable aperture from f/2.9-f/11 and an ISO range up to 12,800. The camera supports 10-bit 4K video capture and has 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, which gives it enhances dynamic range. With a flight time of 31 minutes, a range of more than five miles, and an object avoidance system on all sides, this compact drone is ideal for real estate applications.

Step 2: Learn the Regulations for Drone Flights & Practice Piloting Your Drone

photo by Naypong via iStock

Before you take flight with your drone, it’s necessary to familiarize yourself with the regulations governing drone flights.

Bear in mind that these regulations vary from country to country, and even municipality to municipality. Therefore, don’t assume that the flight rules that apply in your area apply in a different town or city.

If you’re in the United States, you must obey Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules when flying your drone, such as deferring to other aircraft. Likewise, you must register your drone with the FAA before you undertake flights.

photo by @jansmartino via iStock

Once you’ve become familiar with flight regulations, practice your drone flying skills in an open area away from homes, businesses, roads, and other areas where property and people are found. An open field with broad sight lines is ideal. 

To begin, simply learn how to fly and maneuver the drone. Learning the controls as well as the limitations of the drone will take a bit of time and practice.

Once you’re comfortable flying, then expand your practice into taking still photos from various angles and altitudes. Do the same with video as well.

Step 3: Master Drone Photography Composition

photo by JamesBrey via iStock

The obvious advantage of having a drone for real estate photography is that you can highlight property features in a unique way.

But there’s more to it than simply hovering the drone over the backyard pool.

Instead, it’s necessary to work on the composition of your shots to best showcase the property’s features.

photo by Creative-Family via iStock

For example, if a home has a fabulous backyard, a high, wide-angle shot might be just the trick for showing off the yard in its entirety.

Then, pair that still shot with one from the opposite side of the yard to give potential buyers a view from another angle.

Additionally, many drones have automatic flight path features that you can program via GPS. That means you can select a flight path for the drone and create a video tour of the features you wish to feature.

Step 4: Understand the Limitations of Your Drone’s Camera  

photo by PBFloyd via iStock 

Just like your smartphone, DSLR or mirrorless camera, your drone’s camera can’t do everything perfectly. You may well find that you need to fine-tune the photos you take from the air in post-processing to get the best results.

For example, if you’re shooting from a drone on a day in which there is very strong sunlight, you might find that the camera can accommodate the highlights or shadows, but not both.

This occurs because the dynamic range - the range of light intensities from dark to light - is too much for the camera to handle in a single image.

To get around this issue, you can bracket the exposures and take 3-5 identical shots, each of which is taken at a different shutter speed. That is, take one shot that’s exposed for the shadows, another identical shot that’s exposed for midtones, and a final shot that’s exposed for the highlights.

Then, you can merge the exposures in a program like Photomatix Pro to create a single image that has beautiful details throughout the shadowed and highlighted areas.

Wrapping It Up

photo byThomas De Wever via iStock

As noted earlier, mastering the art of drone photography for real estate requires that you have the right gear, that you practice and familiarize yourself with local drone regulations, that you concentrate on creating well-composed shots, and that you perfect your images in post-processing.

If you can commit to this process, you’ll be in good shape to create gorgeous photos and videos of real estate using a drone.

This blog post about "Getting Started in Drone Photography for Real Estate" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/drone-photography-for-real-estate