All of us have been enthralled by the spectacular landscape photography by the Chicago-based Reuben Wu for the past several years. He connects LED lights to a UAV and then goes on to capture stunning imagery of the natural scenes from the sky. A serenading glow is cast by the lights across rocks and that […]
Category: Drones Photography
Drones have revolutionized drone photography. Their rotor-driven quadcopter versatility gives access to unique perspectives and compositions that would have previously been impossible or far too expensive for the average photographer. Still, learning to pilot, paying for the drone, and navigating legal regulations can be overwhelming. Explore these tips to learn what you need to succeed as a drone photographer.
With altitude on your side, you’ll discover transformed landscapes and awe-inspiring views from a bird’s-eye view that photographers without a drone can’t access.
One of the most popular drone photography techniques is to shoot straight down. This can result in powerful photographs, according to photographer Steve Schwindt. “You see the landscape for what it is. You can see patterns and formations you didn’t know were there.”
These aerial images have grown in popularity due to the relative affordability of drones. Before drones, a photographer’s only option for aerial photos was to hire an aircraft, which gets expensive fast. Drones have made aerial shots exponentially more accessible. “With drones, you can now get a multi-thousand-dollar shot for $1,200 plus a $150 pilot’s license. They’ve given filmmakers and photographers perspective no one else can get,” photographer David Green explains.
To make your photos stand out from the current influx of drone photography, you’ll need to be deliberate. “The best drone shots take advantage of the unique compositions you wouldn’t get [otherwise] while adhering to the principles for what makes a great photograph,” says Schwindt. Thoughtful composition and consideration of light will take a photo beyond the initial aerial-view “wow” factor and make it a quality photo in its own right. “You have to understand why you’re using it,” says videographer Dominic Duchesneau. “Ask yourself: ‘What is it doing to add to the story I’m trying to tell?’”