Are you new to drone aerial photography? Well, you’re not alone. Consumer drones are still relatively new, so you won’t find many resources on the topic. Fortunately, getting started with GoPro drones isn’t that difficult. And once you master these principles, you’ll be in a position to capture some amazing aerial footage! With that said, in the following sections we’re going to provide you with critical tips for getting started.
Drone Aerial Photography – Getting Started With GoPro
First and foremost, you should to buy a drone that’s compatible with a GoPro camera. For professional aerial footage, I recommend any one of the following five models:
- 3DR Iris+
- 3DR Solo “Smart” Drone
- Walkera QR X350
- DJI Phantom 2
- Ghost Aerial Quadcopter
Remember that not all drones are compatible with GoPro cameras- only some. Personally, I would recommend the 3DR Solo “Smart” Drone by 3D Robotics. This drone is an excellent model for the GoPro camera. It’s easy to use, affordable, and perfect for drone aerial photography. In fact, it’s the only drone in the world capable of delivering live HD video feeds from the GoPro straight to your mobile device! The best part is that you’ll be able to capture beautiful 720p HD footage from up to half-a-mile away.
Getting Started With the 3DR Solo Drone
For the sake of this tutorial, we’re going to assume that you’re using the Solo “Smart” Drone by 3D Robotics.
If not, that’s okay (the principles will be the same). If you haven’t read my 3DR Solo Drone review, I would highly recommend checking it out.
To get started with drone aerial photography, simply attach your GoPro to the Solo Drone using the specialized frame that comes in the box. Once in the air, you’ll be able to control your GoPro via the drone’s transmitter. Then, at the push of a button, you can snap photos and initiate recordings. It’s really that easy. Of course, you’ll need to know how to fly a drone first.
Choosing the Right GoPro Settings for Aerial Photography
As far as action cameras are concerned, you can’t get any better than GoPro. These cameras are durable, light, and best of all, affordable. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when practicing drone aerial photography with your GoPro:
- Shoot in 4K: These days, shooting at resolutions beyond HD is becoming the norm. For capturing the clearest aerial footage possible, you should be shooting in 4K. The GoPro Hero 4 is currently the best model you can purchase for this.
- Choose the Right Color Setting: As far as GoPro cameras are concerned, there are two color settings to choose from: “Flat” and “GoPro”. Generally speaking, the “Flat” color setting is recommended for when you’re matching it with footage from a different camera during an edit. But for the best eye-catching results, the “GoPro” color setting is the way to go.
- Pick a Narrow Field of View: For optimal GoPro drone aerial photography, make sure your camera is set on a narrow field of view. The reason why is simple: you’ll maintain object clarity when shooting from far away.
Finally, consider buying a gimbal for your drone. Gimbals can help with stabilization issues while in the air, ultimately leading to better shots. While they can be expensive, investing in a quality gimbal can take your drone aerial photography skills to the next level.
Additional Tips & Strategies
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t Fly in Windy Conditions: When it’s windy, maintaining a stable position in the air can be extremely difficult. This applies more to smaller camera drones (like the X4 H107D or Syma X5C), but it can still affect larger drones like 3DR Solo Drone. If you can help it, try to fly when there’s minimal amount of wind present.
- Replace Your Landing Gear: When practicing drone aerial photography, you may have your landing gear showing up in the corners of your shots. Here’s the best advice I can give: swap out your landing gear for something less obtrusive.
For more tips and strategies on how to capture amazing aerial footage, be sure to read my article, 7 Aerial Photography Tips for Beginners.
Conclusion
The GoPro is definitely the top action camera in the world today. It’s cheap, lightweight, durable, and best of all, can be used on many different drone models. Remember to apply the GoPro camera settings mentioned above for optimal footage quality. If you have any questions about how to get started, be sure to leave them in the comment box below.
Please send step by step with pic how to make a drone?