How to IMPROVE your DRONE Landscape Photography

Essential Drone Gear

When starting with drone landscape photography, having the right gear is key. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Drone: The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a solid choice for its high-quality images.
• Filters: Soft graduated filters and polarizing filters enhance your shots. Polarizing filters will help bring out the blue in the sky and define the clouds on bright, sunny days. My own choice of filters is from Polarpro who make an excellent range of filters for a wide variety of drones.
• Charged Batteries: Always ensure your drone batteries are fully charged. The last thing you want is to miss a great shot because your battery is low. At a minimum carry three charged batteries.

Setting Up Your Drone

Setting up your drone properly can make a huge difference in photo quality. Follow these steps for optimal settings:

1. Controller Mode: Set your controller to manual (M mode).
2. ISO: Keep the ISO at 100 for the cleanest files. Higher ISO can reduce image quality.
3. Aperture: Aim for an aperture of between f/2.8 and f/4.0 for the sharpest images. But if at all possible stick to apertures below f/4.0.
4. Shutter Speed: Adjust this based on your shooting conditions.
5. Image Format: Always shoot in RAW format for greater editing flexibility.
6. White Balance: Set to auto; you can adjust it later in post-processing.
7. Histogram and Grid: Turn on the histogram for exposure checks and use the grid to compose your shots according to the rule of thirds.

Location Scouting

Choosing the right location for your drone landscape photography is crucial. If you’re familiar with your area, great! If not, then use tools like Google Maps to scout potential spots. Look for interesting features like winding roads or unique land formations. Each season changes the landscape, so visiting at different times of the year can yield various results.

Quality of Light

Light can transform your drone landscape photography. Aim to shoot during golden hour—early morning or late afternoon—when the light is softer and more flattering. During these times, shadows add depth and dimension to your images.

Composition Techniques

Top Down or Bird’s Eye View

One way to enhance your photos is by capturing them from directly above. Roads or paths can make strong compositional lines in an image. Here’s a few tips:

• Diagonal Lines: Capture roads from bottom left to top right (or vice versa) to create dynamic movement in your photos.
• Distance from Edges: Position the road so the surrounding elements—like trees or fields—don’t crowd it.

Repeating Lines

Natural patterns, like rows of trees or crops, can create a compelling visual effect. To showcase repeating lines:

• Angle Your Drone: Adjust your drone’s angle to capture the lines diagonally, rather than straight on. This often results in a more engaging image.

45-Degree Angles

Instead of shooting straight down, tilt your camera down at about 45 degrees. This adds depth and dimension to your photos:

• Contrast in Textures: Look for differences in colour and texture, such as fields and trees, to create visual interest.

Graphic Lines

Using graphic elements, like tractor lines in a field, can turn an ordinary shot into something special. Ensure the lines lead the viewer’s eye into the photo:

• Balance: Frame your composition in a way that balances these lines evenly in the shot.

General Aerial Views

Sometimes, a general aerial view is all you need to capture a stunning landscape. Look for sweeping roads and interesting patterns in the fields. Here’s how to get a great shot:

1. Use Polarizing Filters: These can enhance colours and reduce glare from water or shiny fields.
2. Thirds Rule: Position key elements along the thirds of your frame to create a pleasing composition.

Conclusion

Learning how to improve your drone landscape photography takes practice and a keen eye for detail. By understanding your gear, mastering the settings, scouting locations, and using thoughtful composition techniques, you can capture breathtaking images. Always remember: the quality of light and understanding your surroundings are just as important as technical skills. Start experimenting with these tips, and you’ll see significant improvements in your photography.