Drone Photography: A Guide to Capturing Images Like A Professional

Historically, photography has always been a discipline under constant innovation. From the first pinhole camera to the newest mirrorless sensors, our quest for visual perfection has ceased to slow down.

Despite all the progress, no innovation has been quite as revolutionary as the ability to capture images from the air, while the photographer’s feet remain on the ground. Drone photography has only been around a few years, yet the gravitational pull it has had on the industry at large is unprecedented.

Perspectives that used to require a ride via an airplane or helicopter can now be achieved using UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles, also called drones) that cost less than it would to rent a helicopter for an hour.

If you are like the thousands of other photographer’s who cannot wait to take their lens to the skies, we have created this post as a guide to capturing images like a professional. Many are nervous at the thought of flying an expensive apparatus, and that’s why we want to begin with discussing what drone will be best for you. All of the topics we’ll cover in this guide include:

Investing in the right aerial photography drone

From purchase to practicing safe flying

Shooting modes and general exposure settings

Drone camera filters

Post-processing drone photography

Becoming a professional drone photographer.

Varna, Bulgaria – May 13 ,2016: Image of DJI Inspire 1 Pro drone UAV quadcopter which shoots 4k video and 16mp still images and is controlled by wireless remote with a range of 2km

START BY INVESTING IN THE RIGHT DRONE

As tempting as it may be to buy a drone capable of flying your professional DSLR, most remote pilots will begin by investing in a consumer grade UAV with a built-in camera. Not only is it important to become skilled in flying a drone while attempting to capture photographs, but it is also important to understand what you actually need from a specific model.

It’s true that while drone technology has come a long way, the built-in cameras are still slowly catching up to the specs we’re used to seeing in consumer to professional grade camera bodies. Your intended application should be the primary consideration as you compare the models currently available.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you assess which is the right aerial photography drone model for you.

Will You Need the Capability to Shoot in Raw?

As a photographer, the ability to shoot in raw can be vital to the post-processing of an image. Those familiar with landscape photography will quickly learn taking images from the sky presents a similar challenge of high-contrast scenes and the necessity for flexible editing.

Most newer drone models will have raw file formats built in; however, some of the older and less expensive models may only shoot in jpeg. If you’re looking to use the drone immediately for professional quality images, investing in a raw-capable setup might be the best choice.

What Sensor Size and Megapixels Will You Require?

The next most common consideration for quality enthusiasts is how many megapixels will the sensor produce, and how well can the sensor handle low-light. Ranging from 30 MP in top models like the Inspire 2’s Osmo camera, down to 2 MP in the Force1 Quadcopter, a drone’s sensor can dramatically affect the price and quality of the image.

For those interested in printing their images as fine art pieces, or capturing files for professional clients, it is smart to consider a model permitting 20 MP stills. In conjunction with a larger file, most 20 MP drone cameras will also have a 1” CMOS sensor allowing you to boost the ISO in low light situations, which will greatly improve the accumulation of noise on the image.

If your priorities for drone photography are limited to sharing on social media platforms, settling on a 12 MP model, or smaller, will still allow you to capture stunning perspectives with respectable quality.

How Much Versatility Will You Need?

By nature, drone photography can be very adventurous, and how much space the drone will consume in your pack has become a large part of the discussion. The drone community tends to agree the best combination of image quality and portability goes to the new Mavic 2 Pro.

With a 20 MP sensor and a weight of only 5.51 pounds, it’s hard to beat the ease in which you can deploy it in any situation.

That said, if your primary consideration is image quality, you will likely want to consider a model that is larger and more affordable, but can capture images of equal quality.