How to Take the Best Drone Photography Photos

A drone is an incredible piece of photography equipment that lets you see the world in a whole new way. It’s perfect for taking beautiful landscapes, aerial cityscapes or even portraits. However, just like any other camera gear, a drone has its limitations, especially if you’re shooting in certain locations or circumstances.

A few months ago you had an idea for a cool shot that you wanted to capture with your drone. You planned it out, checked the weather forecast and went to your spot. Now, all you need is to take that spectacular photo that tells the story you want to tell.

In order to take the best pictures with a drone, you need to understand a few things about the equipment and the art of photography. The first step is understanding the drone’s capabilities, which are usually categorized by its field of view (FOV), speed, and camera quality. You can also choose the type of drone based on your needs, with options such as a compact and lightweight drone or a professional drone with a high-end camera.

Another important aspect to consider is the composition of your photos. The rule is simple: put the most important elements in the frame and remove unnecessary ones. This is especially true for drone photographs, where the lack of depth can be more noticeable than in regular photos. You can use apps to help you plan your compositions, such as the PhotoPills app. It lets you visualize the light direction and length of shadows on your subject.

You can also use your drone to take artistic long exposures. This is a great technique for capturing waves breaking on the shore or waterfalls, or even the lights of a city at night. This requires an advanced knowledge of how to operate your drone and a good understanding of how to use ND filters on the camera. You can learn more about this in our article on shooting long exposures with a drone.

Finally, you should always check the laws regarding drone photography in your area. Some places require you to have a permit before flying, and others may have specific rules about how close you can fly to people or buildings. If you’re an independent photographer, it’s a good idea to join a national society that offers certification for drone photography professionals. This will give you credibility and help you build a client base.

If you want to start a business as a drone photographer, there are many different services that you can offer. For example, you can offer drone videography for events and weddings, or you could provide real estate photography services using a drone. However, you’ll need to invest in a drone and a good camera to get started. You should also consider getting liability insurance for your drone, as well as hull insurance in case it crashes. To maximize your profits, try to sell your images to companies that are interested in promoting themselves through drone photography.