A drone is a remarkable piece of equipment, enabling you to capture film and photographs from perspectives that were once believed impossible. Using a drone for photography differs significantly from filming with a drone. Let’s share some ideas.

When I purchased my first drone, I initially saw it as an extension of my regular photography. However, as time passed, my interest in the drone’s filming capabilities grew. It provided an exceptional bird’s-eye view of landscapes, enhancing my photography trips to France, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.

While the drone enabled the capture of excellent footage in diverse locations, filming presented challenges distinct from those of capturing stills. It involved more than simply managing moving and non-moving images; it required a completely different approach to flying with a drone. I found it difficult, if not impossible, to fly a drone and capture both video and photos simultaneously.

Using a drone for photography isn’t vastly different from using any other camera. You must meter the available light and set the exposure accordingly, just as you would with your regular camera. Occasionally, there may be restrictions based on the type of drone you’re using, such as limitations on using high ISO settings without introducing noise.

It’s possible that the aperture is fixed, leaving you with only shutter speed and ISO to achieve the proper exposure. In contrast to capturing video, these restrictions for photography are easily overcome.

Composition with a drone is similar to that of any other camera. You need to find a suitable subject and, perhaps, some supporting elements in the landscape, incorporating lines to connect different elements within the frame. One advantage of using a drone over a regular camera is the unique bird’s-eye view it offers, enabling you to effectively capture the flow of a river or the winding of a road.

Despite the common tendency among drone photographers to fly at great heights, this approach may not always yield the most interesting images. In fact, it can often make capturing compelling shots more challenging. This is somewhat akin to using an extremely wide-angle lens, where there’s a risk of including too much clutter in the frame.

The Difference Between Photography and Filming

It’s tempting to take your drone out for a flight just for the thrill, as I did in the first few weeks after purchasing my first drone. Yet, flying without a purpose proved to be a dull experience. The only thing I accomplished was depleting the battery.

But I learned to operate the drone, of course, which is imperative. If flying is your primary goal, consider using a first person view (FPV) drone, which I consider to be designed for the joy of flying. However, if the goal is photography or filming, flying is only the means to achieve your images.

For video footage, planning is crucial. You need to determine the clips you need and design a flight path that achieves the desired look. It requires a precise control over the drone’s movements while filming. Even a small steering mistake can ruin a shot.

My video from an Iceland trip. You will notice some steering mistakes in the video, if you watch it carefully. It’s fun to do, but difficult.

Using a drone for photography is completely different. While maintaining control is also essential, it’s much easier to fly for photography compared to filming. Instead of designing a flight path, you can just fly to the desired location, adjust the position and height, and capture the photo. This approach conserves a lot of battery life, extending the drone’s usability throughout the day.

Fly With Purpose

While flying can be enjoyable, it should serve a purpose. Avoid wasting battery on aimless flights. For photography, it’s straightforward: decide where you want the camera to be, fly there, fine-tune the position and height, and capture the image.

If there’s no unexpected second composition, return the drone. Flying in circles with no purpose is less engaging and may just be a nuisance for bystanders.

If filming is your purpose, it’s also necessary to fly specifically for the desired film footage. If you’re not sure what to film, the result can be disappointing or even not useable.

Don’t Go Too High Up in the Sky

Many drone images exhibit a true bird’s-eye perspective. These are captured by flying up to the maximum allowed altitude. However, unless there’s a good reason for that altitude, it often results in dull images without a clear subject.

Use the drone not at a high altitude, but at the right altitude. This way, you are able to maintain a viewer’s connection with the landscape. Sometimes, this results in an altitude of only two meters. In other situations, this can be 10 or even 50 meters.

The same small river, from a great altitude, and from only 3 meters high. It doesn’t have to be obvious when it’s a drone shot. 

Reaching Impossible Vantage Points

A drone’s benefit lies in capturing images from otherwise unreachable vantage points. Elevated by two or three meters, it enables you to capture leading lines more easily. A drone can also be used to avoiding obstructive foregrounds. Fly to the other side of the obstruction to get a clear view.

Drones also enable shooting from inaccessible or hazardous locations, overcoming potential dangers. After all, you don’t want to risk your life for just a photo. However, a drone can offer you a safe way to get the shot.

Use a Drone Wisely

While drones expand a photographer’s toolkit, providing opportunities for otherwise impossible or dangerous shots, they also pose risks. Strict rules govern where and when not to fly. Respecting these rules is essential, as they exist for a reason.

Do you have experience with drone photography? Please share your insights and any additional advice in the comments below. I look forward to your response.