Ariel Photography – Tips and Tricks - jazzwilliam/photographersworld GitHub Wiki

As amazing as Ariel Photography sounds, it can also get a bit tricky. The easy part is setting up a drone or a quadcopter but finding the right angles for your video or photos to make sure you get the perfect shot can definitely prove to be difficult. To help you get through the beginner period quickly, we have compiled together some of the best Ariel Photography tips and tricks. With these techniques, you will always have stunning photos from above.

Here are some Ariel Photography tips and tricks –

  1. Choose the correct weather and time of the day Different seasons can give different colours to your pictures. Spring and autumn are usually the best seasons when the colours are in full bloom. But time of the day depends on what location you are shooting at. For instance, if you are shooting on a snow covered ground, you should avoid shooting during afternoons since there is a chance of dazzling. And while sunsets are usually beautiful, they give a stark contrast between the land and the sky, thus making it difficult to capture the right colours.
  2. More altitude, better pictures Now you might assume that being closer to your targets can get you clearer pictures but we recommend going higher and taking pictures from an increased altitude. This will give your object a more detailed view.
  3. Take stable images with GPS mode The GPS mode available on drones and copters is really helpful in taking still images without any shaking or vibration. All you have to do is enter the location you want to shoot and let the copter do its work. You won’t even have to work through the controls, the copter will itself get on the specified location and stabilize.
  4. Gambling between Cloudy v/s sunny weather Everybody prefers a bright blue sky but you can also work with cloudy weather to give a dramatic effect to your photos. Sunny days can definitely brighten the colours and highlight the details but at the same time, even on the clearest of the days you can end up with some haze on the higher altitudes. On the other hand, clouds can not only be amusing subjects to shoot, they also give the correct balance of the light.
  5. Pick a gimbal Gimbals are basically joints on which the cameras can be mounted. With the help of these gimbals you can point your camera in a specific direction and never lose focus. Though gimbals are pretty expensive, they are a great investment if you are serious about Ariel photography. You should remember that most of the drones do not have a provision to fix gimbals in them.
  6. Choose the perfect location When shooting with drones or copters, it is very important to choose the right location. Choosing a not-so-perfect location will only make you end up with subpar photos. Pick a location which is open and is free of birds. Make sure there are no high buildings or wooden structures.
  7. Shoot from different angles This is an absolute essential technique to make sure you get the perfect shot. Always try different angles to find the best one that suits your needs. Most photographers choose FPV-only setting but we recommend choosing FPV along with a side angle and an above angle as well.
  8. Getting the most out of night photography When it comes to night photography, you would definitely need extra lights. With the help of lights you can take pictures in dark as well as pitch black locations. But you will definitely need a LCD camera with your drone or copter to make sure you are getting the right shot.
  9. Pick the right camera While picking a camera, the first thing you need to look for is high megapixels and better resolution. Also, it’s important that the camera has different viewing modes to make it suitable for all lighting conditions.
  10. Picking the lens Since you would be using the entire lens throughout the flight, it is important to make sure the lens is perfectly stable during the flight and does not get affected by turbulence. The lens will also depend on whether you want to take panoramic or close up shots. Click to read guide and tips on how to buy camera lens.

Telephoto zoom lens are great if you want to focus right on the object. But because of their weight, they can be difficult to manoeuvre on a drone. If you are looking to capture the entire plain in a panoramic manner, wide angle lens are perfect. And if you are a beginner at Ariel photography, you should definitely stay away from prime lenses.

With these Ariel Photography tips and tricks, you can advance your skills and techniques to take the perfect shots from above the sky.