Some Aerial Cinematography Tips
Aerial cinematography does seem quite east to pull off. Simply set up, strap a lightweight camera to a drone you can control remotely, and begin recording. But truth is, it’s not that simple.
Even if aerial cinematography’s made more attainable due to modern technology, it still remains quite a challenging activity. After all, learning how to pilot a drone is one, but creating a really good stable shot is another. And to assist you with your aerial cinematography, we’ve listed several essential tips below.
Pick Your UAV Or Quadcopter
There a lot of really good brands in the market. Just be sure to read all the necessary information – specs, pricing, availability, the brand’s customer or tech support, customer reviews or star ratings, etc. – before you decide which one best suits your needs.
Know Your Flying Modes
Some models have an autopilot mode which you can manually set up, some controls are more sensitive than others, some will have GPS some won’t, and some will even have auto-correct. So in order to maximize your videography skills, you have to really know how to use your gear – fly it both manually and automatically, and using basics as well as more advanced settings.
Pick Your Video Cam
It’s the same with buying a drone – do your research and gather enough information about the gear before buying one. Of course you know all about the top quality cameras, but when it comes to aerial cinematography, one of the most important things you should look at is whether or not the camera is light enough so as to preserve your UAV’s battery life.
Be Gentle
One simple and yet very important tip is for you to slow your drone down. Practice shooting with finesse in order to get really useful shots.
Consider The Weather
Avoid shooting into the sun as not only can propellers cast shadows, if the sun hits your camera lens, it can highlight dirt on it during takeoff.
Pay close attention to wind gusts – don’t fly when the wind is greater 17-23 miles per hour (15-20 knots). The best flying condition should have wind within 8-10 miles per hour (7-9 knots).
It is also generally recommended not to fly when it’s raining as not all UAV system and video cameras are suitable to work in precipitation.
Build A Direct Line Of Sight
This is something very important to keep in mind especially if you’re not using an FPV system. It’s always more convenient if you fly directly toward or away from where you’re standing as anything beyond that will require more advanced depth perception. Use objects near and far from your location to set up the unobstructed, direct line, and fly in a straight direction whenever possible.