Aerial photography plays a huge role in my work and interpretation of the land. In this video, I share some tips on how to plan and execute a successful aerial.
Fiordland is my home and main inspiration for my images. From the land, sea or sky, there are so many ways to explore and portray the wild landscape here. It's common for me to plan out aerial shoots and try and align various fiords and mountains with the sun, moon or other conditions.
Let's head out with my buddy Shaun in the Cessna 172 and try and create something special over Breaksea Sound.
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Enjoy!
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If you want to dive deeper, enjoy a huge discount on my Landscape Photography Masterclass here:
00:00:18 - Before you start - what to think about 00:02:00 - Useful Apps for planning 00:02:40 - Gear talk 00:03:20 - The plane and pilot 00:04:30 - Up and away…
Aerial photography, Landscape photography, Aerial landscape, Photography from a plane, Photography planning, Photography apps, Pilot communication, Photography gear, Shooting tips, Photography tutorial, Aerial landscape tips, Aerial photo techniques
By: William Patino Title: Aerial Photography In New Zealand Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdUwVo2_Ih8
Look at the 3 highest-rated drones on Amazon in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hour is best to photograph drones?
The drone could capture aerial photos during sunrise and dusk hours, when there isn’t much activity on earth.
Drones can be used to capture stunning photos of landscapes or the sky above. However, drones may not be allowed to fly at nights so you will miss out on some spectacular views.
Take advantage of the sunrise and sunset hours to capture great photo opportunities. These times provide more opportunities to capture stunning shots of nature because there are usually fewer cars on the road and fewer people walking around.
You will find it easier to shoot in low light levels.
You won't need to contend with strong winds, rain or snow. All these factors make daylight ideal for taking photos with a drone.
But, if you wish to capture nighttime scenes, flying during the moonlit nights is an option. This will give you an unrivalled view of the cityscape.
What do you need for drone photography?
Drone photography goes beyond just using a drone to take pictures. Planning and executing a successful drone shoot requires a lot of considerations. From choosing the right location to determining how much insurance you need to carry out a successful aerial shoot.
It is essential to make sure you have permission to fly drones within the area you are planning to shoot. You should check to see if there are restrictions on where and how you can fly your drone. You may need to apply to fly your drone in restricted areas if there are.
It is also important to verify the laws in your country. You may need a permit to fly drones in some countries. Others limit the number you can make in a given time period.
You will need permission to fly drones. After each flight, you will also need to locate a safe place to land the drone. You can rent a landing spot from local businesses for around $10 per hour. Also, you will have storage space. Or, you can buy a dedicated landing area.
Before you begin to shoot, you will need to decide which drone you want. Different drones have different capabilities and features. For example, fixed-wing drones are typically less expensive and easier to handle, while multirotors have more power and stability.
You'll first need to decide what kind of drone to use. Next, you will need to select the equipment that you will require. The drone camera typically comprises a gimbal with remote controller, batteries, batteries and memory cards.
Gimbals are used to stabilize the camera when it's in flight. They make it possible to take sharp pictures without worrying about the device falling or being shaken. The gimbal attaches directly to the drone's body to keep the camera steady.
Remote controllers enable you to pilot your drone remotely. These controllers have joysticks and buttons, which allow you to control the drone's direction, speed, direction, and altitude.
Batteries power the drone’s motors and camera, while memory cards store photos taken with the drone. To ensure that the drone takes clear pictures, you'll need to ensure sufficient battery life.
After you have selected the equipment, it is time to decide where you will shoot. Do you prefer to shoot outdoors or indoors? Will you be photographing architecture or landscapes in your home? Where exactly are you going to shoot? These factors will influence how you prepare for your shoot.
You'll need to consider lighting if you're planning to shoot inside. Multiple lights are the best way of lighting a room. Place one large light near the subject, another near it, and yet another close to the floor.
You need to take into account wind conditions when outdoors. Drone pilots who are flying drones on windy days may be at risk of being blown off their course. Take off only when the weather permits.
You should consider whether you need additional equipment when selecting your location. These items will ensure your drone stays level, so you don’t lose quality shots.
Outdoor shoots can be done between 10 AM and 4 PM. There won't be many people around during this time, but there will still enough light to make great photos.
To conclude, drone photography isn't just fun and incredibly useful for capturing stunning aerial photographs. Follow these simple steps to create stunning images right away!
Is a photography drone worth it?
If you're serious about starting your own business, you'll eventually realize there's nothing more important than having a great product. A killer product is essential if you are going to market yourself.
Many photographers don't know how to sell themselves. Instead of convincing others to buy their stuff they're trying convince them.
When you own your company, however, you can't wait for permission from someone else. You will need to get out there and find customers immediately.
This means that you will need to tell a compelling story to convince them why they should choose your products over others.
You'll also need to come up with an effective strategy for marketing those products. You might still fail if you don't price your products correctly, even after all this.
You might decide to charge too little. You may charge too much. Either way, if you don’t know what your charges are, you’re most likely making a mistake.
This will help you avoid making costly mistakes. However, this doesn't mean you must become a businessman. This means you have to learn how to value time, money, effort.
You must also develop strategies to measure the success of your company.
Once you are comfortable with pricing, it is possible to focus on building the most effective product. You want a product that is both creative and financially viable.
A product that solves problems and provides real benefits.
One that is different from all others.
And once you've built that product, you'll be ready to launch it. Then you can start building your brand.
It doesn't matter if you are a professional photographer or amateur, a drone is able to take amazing photos. It will enable you to become a professional photographer. You will be able to improve your skills. And it will help you grow your business.
Can drones take pictures at night?
Answer: Yes. But we have been doing it for years. We have been taking photos at night for many decades.
There's a catch. Night photography requires specialized equipment. You can't do it with a camera that costs less then $10k.
When light hits an object, it bounces back in a series of wavelengths.
These wavelengths combine to create white light at very distant distances from the source.
This is why our eyes can see colors even though the sun is millions of miles away.
Contrary to popular belief, light that strikes objects close to their source reflects in a narrow range of wavelengths. These wavelengths bounce right back to us without overlapping.
This means that objects appear brighter when they are closer to each other. This is why objects can glow under black lights.
How much energy the object absorbs affects how much light is reflected. When light hits an object it will reflect more blue light than red.
Blue light is the most visible to the human eye, so objects will appear more blue if they are seen under black light.
What does all this have to do about drones? You need a bright light source if you want to photograph dark objects, such as caves or forests.
An ordinary lamp won't be powerful enough to illuminate the entire scene. It will only create a shadowed scene.
A strobe will give you a great shot. You won't want to lug around a large flashgun so you will need a smaller one.
Speedlights are also known for their flashes of light that create a stroboscopic effect.
Stroboscopic means that the light pulses across the screen. The better the quality of the image, the faster it is.
This tutorial will not cover how to install a Speedlight. But there are plenty of tutorials online.
We will tell you to make sure that the subject is properly illuminated in order for a clear photograph.
The beam should be aimed at a 45° angle in order to achieve this. You can adjust intensity by moving the flashgun head.
Once you have found the right setting, hold the gun steady while pressing the shutter release button.
Next, close to the subject, release the shutter. This will fire another flashgun burst.
The subject is illuminated by the first burst, but the second will capture what happens after that burst.
The result is continuous exposure, where both bursts are recorded.
Now you know how to take pictures during the day, let's move on to night photography.
I have so far covered everything about how to photograph things at night.
There's one more thing to be covered: the color balance.
Most people assume that nighttime images will not be dark enough.
That's true, but the same applies to daytime photos.
It doesn’t matter if you’re taking photos at dawn, dusk or both; the camera will always take a darker picture.
Statistics
Regional & Super Regional Centers pricing per center (400,000+ sq ft) PLACE ORDER (dronebase.com)
Though the Mavic 3 is about 50% heavier than the Mavic Air 2, it's still conveniently sized. (nytimes.com)
Greater than 50% throttle stick position generates positive thrust, but less than 50% throttle stick position reverses the direction of the motors, allowing upside-down flying! (photographypro.com)
A grey card is just a piece of thick paper that is a specific shade of grey (18%), which will be the foundation on which we choose our color temperature. (dronegenuity.com)
Homes with aerial images sold 68% faster than homes with standard images. (alexdronephotography.com)
A good distance for a drone is when it becomes an extension of yourself. When you become aware of the drone as a separate entity, you lose sight of its physical boundaries.
For drones, a good distance allows you to fully immerse your self in the environment without having to worry about where the drone is going next.
A close approach to the ground can also have psychological benefits. It gives us a sense of control over our surroundings, making us feel more connected with nature.
There is also a downside. If we fly close to ground, wind and other weather conditions can cause damage to our drones. So how far away do you fly?
It all depends on what type of drone you're flying. A good rule of thumb when filming aerial footage or landscapes is to keep your drone at least 500 feet above ground.
For example, if you are filming a cityscape, you might want to keep it at 1,000 feet. By doing this, you can avoid any obstructions such as trees or buildings.
This is because drones tend to struggle with low-light conditions. To reduce hovering time when flying in the darkness, lower the altitude.
Also, ensure your area is clear from any obstructions, such as power lines or traffic signs.
It may be a good idea to fly during the day, rather than at night. This helps you avoid reflections caused by street lights and shadows.
Also, consider the size and weight of the drone. The drone must be at least 300 feet from the ground, so the larger it is, the more space it will need. For example, a large quadcopter usually requires a minimum height of 300 feet.
If you want some great drone footage, you should always look out for the golden hour.
This is the time period between 3pm and 6pm. Direct overhead sunlight gives you maximum visibility during this time.
It is also known for its "magic hour", which is perfect for capturing stunning images.
Avoid flying drones at sunrise and sunset. These times are known for producing low-quality footage.
