Aerial Photography
Before the invention of drones, aerial images and movies were taken from planes or helicopters. This procedure used to be time-consuming and costly. This entire procedure has grown easier and more inexpensive since the introduction of drones. GoPro cameras give great image quality with the highest resolution and are consequently favored by action photography lovers above their market competitors. However, it is critical to understand which drones are and are not compatible with your GoPro. Take these nine recommendations with you on your road to drone photography, from selecting a setup to post-processing photos:
Use A Fast Shutter Speed
While you would think this is obvious, you will need a faster shutter speed than you think. I got a nice shot at 1/125 of a second when I do street photography. To acquire a crisp shot while in the air, I needed to shoot at 1/500 or 1/1000 of a second or quicker. I was lucky to start the day with a couple of images at 1/80 that went out perfect; I’ll credit those to the IBS on the Sony a7R IV and a stroke of luck. What settings you may utilize will also be determined by the aerial platform you are shooting from. If you’re in a 150-mph plane instead of a slow-moving helicopter, you could get away a little slower than I did. Shutter speed will also aid with airplane vibrations, which leads me to my next point.
Choosing The Right Camera
When selecting a camera for a flight like this, there are two major factors to consider: resolution and high ISO capabilities. There is no minimum amount of megapixels required, but when it comes to aerial photography, I believe the more the merrier. More megapixels provide more fine information, which is wonderful for large prints but also provides a “spare” resolution, allowing you to crop your image while still maintaining an acceptable final image size. The camera’s high ISO capability is the second most critical factor to consider. Confidence in your camera’s high ISO capacity will allow you to shoot with a great safety buffer on your shutter speed to ensure no blurring, even when zooming in to employ longer focal lengths.
Make Use Of A Polarizer (Advanced)
A circular polarizer is the single most potent filter that a photographer may have in their gear, in my view. When utilized appropriately, it eliminates reflected light and may have a significant impact on the colors of a picture. If you’re shooting through a window, it can help to lessen the glare on the glass or perspex, and if you’re shooting over water, it can help to reduce glare by neutralizing the sky’s reflection off the surface. As this side-by-side comparison demonstrates, they may generate radically different effects but also have drawbacks that are exacerbated in an aerial photography setting. In other words, only use a polarizer if you are committed to using it correctly and regularly adjusting it to obtain the intended effect; otherwise, you will get noisier photographs with no advantage from the filter.
Shoot Wide Angle
Depth of field will not play a factor in your photos if you are on an aerial tour, such as those given in Hawaii or other places. I was using my Sony 35mm f/1.2 GM lens, says Mohit Bansal. When we run the figures using DOFMaster, we can see that even wide open, we can do the calculations. If I am 100 meters away from an item, my depth of field begins at 30 meters and my hyperfocal distance is 43.3 meters. These are not figures I believe you will approach. Armed with this information, open that lens and allow the light in, then use it to increase the shutter speed.
Let The Camera Handle The ISO
If you’ve been following along, your shutter speed is set at 1/1000 and your lens is open to f/2.8 or faster. With two of the three sides of the exposure triangle covered, the only remaining parameter to consider is ISO. Mohit Bansal Chandigarh further adds, “This suggestion may not work for all cameras, but my Sony a7R IV has an AutoISO mode that allows me to specify an upper ISO limit. So I set my AutoISO to anywhere between 100 and 3200, and the camera would change the ISO as needed.”
Discover Your Drone’s Full Potential.
Investigate the instructions for your drone to learn how to utilize it effectively. Is your drone equipped with a pre-programmed collection of movements? Is there a follow mode? Does the built-in camera stabilize each photo and compensate for the wind? Before your first picture session, thoroughly familiarise yourself with your drone’s capabilities. Furthermore, it is prudent to test the drone by flying it for many hours in an open location. This will help you become acquainted with how it moves. Run it through the whole set of moves to unlock its full potential. Find out how long the battery lasts and, if feasible, try manually setting the camera’s pitch. All of these will boost your chances of taking stunning photographs.
Take Care Of The Extras.
Choose a drone that has a built-in camera or a camera attachment capable of holding a GoPro, a tiny DSLR, or any other camera. It’s also cool when a drone broadcasts real-time photo and video feeds to its controller or your phone. This allows you to view what your drone sees and set up photos more effortlessly. Consider buying a couple of additional batteries, as most drones won’t last more than 20 to 25 minutes when filming. To avoid waiting a day for the ordinary battery to recharge, just swap to a backup battery for double the flying time.
Make Use Of Smart Mode
Most drones lack intelligent features, but the number of those that do is growing. Today, completely autonomous drones like the Hexo+ and AirDog are available, as well as joystick-controlled drones with optional smart settings. More businesses are beginning to integrate these next-generation capabilities. The ability to take stunning images is what makes a drone with smart settings so appealing for photography. Setting flight routes and selecting from several preset maneuvers are all easy with a drone’s clever features. Furthermore, most drones include some type of camera stabilization, which means that photos should come out smooth and clear independent of wind or other environmental conditions. Spend some time studying and practicing with the basic drone settings, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in your images. Getting the settings perfect is the quickest method to progress from amateur to professional photographer.
Conclusion
Aerial photography is a thrilling proposition. If you’ve never taken aerial shots before, this fast guide will hopefully help you zero in on the planning process and ensure you have all the equipment you need for a successful shoot. Nobody likes to board a helicopter only to find they forgot something at home. With these guidelines in mind, you won’t be assuming what works in aerial photography; instead, you’ll be developing real preparations for your next picture session.
