3 Tips For Taking The Best Drone Photos Possible

Sales of recreational drones are expected to rise from 2.5 million in 2016 to 7 million in 2020, according to one report by the Federal Aviation Administration. While many people choose to fly drones out of hobby or sport, many also do so for the amazing photography that can be achieved, such as travel photography. However, as a beginner it can be difficult to get the perfect shots with your drone. From choosing the right one to begin with to planning ahead, here’s what you need to know when it comes to improving your photos.

Choosing the right drone for the job

When planning on using a drone for photography, it’s important that you select the right one for the job to begin with. Depending on your budget and photography goals, there is a wide variety of options to choose from. For instance, follow me drones — or drones that have the ability to follow a subject, are an option to consider if you plan on getting action shots of yourself skiing, snowboarding or doing other similar activities. In addition to a good quality camera, it’s also important to consider drones that have features such as optical zoom capabilities, omnidirectional collision sensors, water landing mode, and even object avoidance and course correcting abilities. Depending on your goals, these can all come in handy for drone photography as well.

Planning ahead

When taking your drone out to take pictures, it’s imperative that you do your research before you even go out, as there are many factors that can prevent you from getting ideal photos. For instance, ensuring that the weather is ideal for drone photography can play a key role in doing so effectively, as obstacles such as wind or an impending storm can make the task of flying pretty difficult. Poor lighting as a result of a dark and cloudy sky is another element that can interfere with getting the best photos possible, so it’s important to check the local weather forecast ahead of time. Planning ahead in terms of the location that you’ll be flying at is another must, and can easily be done by scouting different places ahead of time by using an online map such as Google maps. Ultimately, this can help you familiarize yourself with the location, and can even give you a rough idea of the kind of photos you’ll end up with.

Trying new things

When it comes to getting the best photos possible as a drone photographer, trying new things can help. For example, if you haven’t already, taking photos with a panoramic camera can be a welcome change, as you can capture a full 360 degrees of a location, thus helping to get more in a single shot. Trying other things, such as adjusting your camera settings, or even using filters can improve your pictures as well. For instance, a polarizing filter can help in creating contrast and reducing glare — both of which are common obstacles for drone photographers.

Flying a drone for the purposes of taking high quality aerial photos can seem like a difficult endeavor, especially as a beginner. However, by choosing the right drone for the job, planning ahead by researching location and weather, and trying new photography methods, you can improve your photos.