Getting started with drone videography after being comfortable with traditional forms of photography and videography can be quite jarring with the shift.
Some people assume that just because they have worked with traditional videography, working with drone videography is going to be exactly the same. After all, you’re still shooting footage with the added benefit of flying a remote control drone. However, this assumption is wrong.
It’s easy enough to fly your drone and shoot any kind of footage, but it takes skill to create footage that you can use for cinematography. If this is your first time using a drone to shoot footage, here are some tips to help you get started.
Choose the right drone
Of course, if you’re getting started with drone videography, make sure that you choose the right drone for yourself. Don’t pick a drone just because it’s the most expensive drone available on the market.
Make sure that you consider different drone models before you settle on one that you like. Take into consideration your personal preferences in terms of portability, camera quality, and features.
Practice makes perfect
A lot of people think that flying a drone is a lot like flying a remote-controlled toy airplane or helicopter. While the idea is the same, the truth is, it takes a lot of practice to get the hang of drone flying. If you crash a toy airplane or helicopter, then all you lose is the toy.
If you crash your drone, not only do you lose a drone, but you lose the core of your drone videography business. It helps to practice beforehand with a cheap drone to get the hang of piloting a drone.
Slow down
If you’re looking to get great footage that you can use, one of the first things that you should always keep in mind is to slow down. Be gentle with your controls, don’t just zoom up to a shot. Practice your shots, and look for a style that suits you and that you’re comfortable with.
Don’t stretch your flight time
Some first-time pilots tend to overestimate the flight time for their drone. Always be aware of how much flight time you can get out of a single battery, and always allow yourself at least a minute of flight time to land.
If your drone runs out of power way up in the air, it will most likely crash, and get severely damaged. As a professional drone pilot, always buy plenty of batteries to make sure you never run short in the middle of a shoot.
Take note of the weather
Weather conditions like rain and wind can make it hard for you to get good shots, so make sure that you take a look at the weather forecast before you plan a shoot.