Satellite view on Google Maps has been an absolute game changer when it comes to planning and scouting aerial drone photography. I have spent countless hours on Google Maps looking for new spots and for planning shots on places I know I am traveling to. In this video I show you guys in the field an example of me using Google Maps to find a composition of a shot I wanted near Factory Butte, Utah.
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By: Kevin Eassa Title: USING GOOGLE MAPS FOR AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZMKa1eh9U
You've got check out the 3 best drones on Amazon in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Can drones take pictures at night?
Answer: Yes. But we have been doing it for years. For decades, we've been taking photos at night.
But there is a catch. Night photography requires sophisticated equipment. You can't do it with a camera that costs less then $10k.
When light strikes an object, it bounces back in various wavelengths.
These wavelengths merge to form white light at long distances from source.
This is why you can still see colors in the distance even though the sun may be millions of kilometers away.
The opposite is true. When light strikes an object very close to its source it reflects in narrow wavelengths. These wavelengths bounce straight back to us without overlapping.
This means that objects are brighter if they are closer together. This is why objects glow under black light.
The energy an object absorbs determines how much light it reflects. The object may reflect more red light than blue light when it is hit by light.
Because the human eye is most sensitive to blue light, objects look bluer when viewed under black light.
This has to do with drones. A very bright light source is required if you are trying to capture dark areas, such as a forest, or cave.
A normal lamp will not be strong enough to illuminate the whole scene. You will get a shadowed image, nothing more.
A strobe is better for taking great pictures. Also, a small flashgun won't be as convenient for you.
Because they produce flashes that are so rapid, these lights are often called speedlights.
Stroboscopic means that the light pulses across the screen. The higher the speed, the better the picture.
This tutorial will not cover how to install a Speedlight. But you can find many tutorials online.
We will tell, for clear pictures, that you need to ensure that the subject is evenly illuminated.
For this to happen, aim the beam at 45°. You can adjust intensity by moving the flashgun head.
Once you've found the perfect setting, keep the gun steady and press the shutter release button.
Then, just before the light reaches the subject, press the shutter again. This will cause the flashgun's flash to go off again, causing it to send out another blast of light.
While the first burst illuminates the subject, the second one will capture the moment after the first burst has passed.
The result is a continuous exposure where both bursts of light are recorded.
You now know how to take photos during the day. Let's move onto night photography.
I have already covered everything you need on night photography.
One thing is left to cover, however: the color harmony.
Most people assume that all images taken at nights will be too dark.
Yes, it is true. However, it can also be applied to daytime shots.
It doesn't really matter if you take photos at dawn or dusk, the camera will always capture a darker image.
What are the laws governing drone photography?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates drone flights. Local laws may also apply in addition to the FAA regulations. Check with your state's transportation department to determine which rules govern drone flights.
In most cases, drone owners are required to obtain a license from the FAA. The FAA has established guidelines for licensing. These guidelines are available here.
In some states, drone operators must register their drones with the government. To learn more, visit our Guide to Drone Registration.
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 capture beautiful photographs of landscapes and the sky over them. Sometimes drones can't fly at night so you might miss spectacular views.
Take advantage of the sunrise and sunset hours to capture great photo opportunities. You have more chances to capture breathtaking shots of nature during these times because there are fewer cars driving and fewer people around.
You'll also find yourself shooting in lower light levels, making it easier to shoot without worrying about overexposing your image.
A drone is also immune to strong winds and rain. 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 a unique view of the cityscape.
What equipment do you need to take drone photos?
Drone photography is much more than just taking pictures with a drone. There are a lot of things you need to consider when planning and executing an effective drone shoot. The right location is key to making sure you have enough insurance to cover your aerial shoot.
The most important thing you can do is make sure that your drones are allowed to fly in the location you want to photograph. This includes finding out what restrictions apply to where and how your drone can be operated. 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.
In addition to obtaining permission to fly drones, you'll need to find somewhere safe and secure to land your drone after each flight. A lot of local businesses will rent you a landing pad for an hour. This will allow you to store your drone. Or, you can buy a dedicated landing area.
Before you even begin shooting, you'll need to decide what drone you'd like to use. Different drones are equipped with different capabilities. Fixed-wing drones are cheaper and easier to control, while multirotors are more powerful, stable, and reliable.
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 basic equipment for a drone camera is a remote controller, gimbal, batteries, memory cards, and remote controller.
The camera is stabilized by the gimbal during flight. To keep the camera stable, the gimbal attaches directly on the drone's body.
Remote controllers let you control your drone remotely. These devices include joysticks and buttons that let you move the drone forwards, backward, left, and right and adjust its altitude.
The drone's motors, cameras and memory cards power their batteries. They also store the photos that the drone has taken. In order to ensure clear shots, ensure you have enough battery life.
After selecting the equipment you will require, you will need to determine where you will be shooting. Is it indoors or outdoor? Do you plan to shoot architecture or landscapes? Which area are you going for? 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 to illuminate a room. One large light should be placed above the subject, one near the middle and another closer to the floor.
Wind conditions are an important consideration when you are outdoors. Windy days can cause problems for drone pilots because they can get blown off course. You should always take off only when the weather is calm.
You should consider whether you need additional equipment when selecting your location. These items will help you keep your drone level stable, so you don't lose quality shots.
For an outdoor shoot, it's advisable to work between 10 am and 4 pm. During this time, there won't be too many people around, but there will still be enough light to create 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!
How to fly my drone?
It takes practice to fly a drone. It takes time to learn how to fly drones. For beginners, we recommend practicing indoors or close to home.
When learning how to fly a drone, you'll need to master three basic skills. These are hovering, takingoff, and landing.
Take Off
Simply lift the drone in the air to take off. Press the button on your controller to cause the drone to move upwards. Stop pushing the button when the drone reaches a desired height.
Hovering
Hovering allows the drone to stay in mid-air. To hover, press and hold the left or the right triggers. Tilt the controller to move the drone. Hold down both triggers.
Landing
Landing refers to returning the drone safely to Earth. To land, release the throttle. Then tilt the controller toward the ground. This will cause the drone to slow down and eventually land.
Fly your drone as comfortable as possible. You must be careful not that your drone crashes into anything.
What are some of the cons to using drone photography for your photos?
Drone photography allows you to capture stunning images and video. There are downsides to flying a small plane.
The most obvious disadvantage of flying drones is the cost involved. It could cost you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars depending on the drone that you buy.
A drone pilot must be trained and certified. This means that you will need to invest your time and money in order to learn how to safely fly them.
Safety is another downside. Drones are extremely dangerous because they require constant maintenance. If you lose control of your drone while taking photos or filming videos, it could cause serious property damage or injure someone.
You may find yourself spending more time flying your drone than you do actually taking photographs or recording footage. You may also have restricted airspace in which you can fly your drone.
Some local governments restrict where you can fly your unmanned aerial vehicle. You can't fly over 400 feet or within 5 miles of stadiums or hospitals, schools, prisons or other military bases, as well as nuclear power plants and dams.
Drones aren’t for everyone. People feel nervous about flying drones because they fear that they will crash into the ground or fall from the sky. Some fear they might hit an object or another person.
You might be uncomfortable flying a drone. Instead, you can try traditional aerial photography or videography.
Statistics
Here's proof: according to an analysis of FAA drone registration numbers by drone market research and data group Drone Industry Insights, DJI had a 76.8% market share in the U.S. (thedronegirl.com)
Compared to the old days of the Phantom, this drone is super small, but it will likely require you to check a bag, the way a Mini 3 Pro could easily stow away in an oversized pocket. (thedronegirl.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)
Homes with aerial images sold 68% faster than homes with standard images. (alexdronephotography.com)
Among the biggest improvements, the Skydio 2+ has over the standard 2 is a 20% longer battery life, longer range if you add the Beacon, and a neat AI video creation tool called Keyframe. (thedronegirl.com)
Drone pilots fly at night because they are curious about the world and want to capture images.
The curiosity aspect is why most people fly drones at night, they enjoy watching the world go by. You can also fly drones at nights to capture photographs of the city landscape.
This is what is known as urban photography and is growing in popularity with drone enthusiasts.
Photographing at night has many benefits, including capturing more detail and better lighting conditions.
Many photographers prefer to shoot at night to avoid dealing with the limitations of daytime shooting.
These benefits make urban photography appealing. However, drone pilots primarily fly drones at Night to capture beautiful nighttime images.
They love the way that the lights turn as the sun sinks. People have taken to posting videos online showing drone pilots at night flying their drones.
Although the drone technology isn't the most advanced, the quality imagery is stunning.
The best thing is that you don't need special equipment to make it happen. All you need is a smartphone camera.
It's okay if you don’t have a smartphone. A wide range of high-quality cameras are on the market today, which would make it possible to make great drone videos.
If you're looking to purchase a DSLR camera, you'll find that some models offer night vision capabilities.
Canon's EOS-5D Mark III comes with an embedded infraredLED system that allows the camera to see in low lighting conditions.
Other manufacturers include Pentax Pentax Pentax Pentax, Olympus Pentax, Sony, Nikon and Olympus.
Not all smartphones can record drone footage.
iPhones can't use their front-facing camera for aerial footage, so they cannot. Instead, they must rely on the iPhone 8 Plus's dual rear cameras.
After you've chosen what camera you'd prefer, you can decide where you want your video to be shot.
You could opt to film your drone footage using a fixed location, or you could choose to follow your subject instead.
It is important that you have your subject in the frame while filming drone footage. This means that you should keep your drone within range of your subject.
If you stick to this range, you will be able get great results.
It is important to keep in mind that the closer your subject is to you, the sharper your footage will appear.
So move quickly towards your subject.
Now that you're able to take aerial footage, let us talk about how we can edit it.
