Drones: All You Need to Know (for Beginners)
Drones are
the biggest advancement in the field of photography and videography. This
unmanned aerial vehicle has not only made shots of hard and unreachable places possible
but has also reduced the cost. Previously aerial shots were only possible by
booking an aircraft which was too costly but now the affordability of this
device has attracted a lot of people to showcase their talent. Below are a few points that will help you in
buying a drone.
the biggest advancement in the field of photography and videography. This
unmanned aerial vehicle has not only made shots of hard and unreachable places possible
but has also reduced the cost. Previously aerial shots were only possible by
booking an aircraft which was too costly but now the affordability of this
device has attracted a lot of people to showcase their talent. Below are a few points that will help you in
buying a drone.
Know Your Requirements:
As a
beginner, the first thing you need to know before buying a drone is to know
your requirements. This will make your task of buying easy when you’ll see the
market packed with so many drones of different prices and features.
beginner, the first thing you need to know before buying a drone is to know
your requirements. This will make your task of buying easy when you’ll see the
market packed with so many drones of different prices and features.
If you are a professional photographer, documentary,
or filmmaker with some experience of drone flying then definitely you need to
have a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera with interchangeable lenses
for best picture and video results, high battery life, flight time, speed, and
range. But if you are an amateur and want to own a drone either for fun or
practicing your photography/videography talent and neither have you had good
drone steering capabilities then you should go for cheaper options with fewer
features. Another important point before buying a drone is to know the weather
conditions and terrain where you want to use it.
or filmmaker with some experience of drone flying then definitely you need to
have a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera with interchangeable lenses
for best picture and video results, high battery life, flight time, speed, and
range. But if you are an amateur and want to own a drone either for fun or
practicing your photography/videography talent and neither have you had good
drone steering capabilities then you should go for cheaper options with fewer
features. Another important point before buying a drone is to know the weather
conditions and terrain where you want to use it.
Note down
all the requirements and the next step is to look for the manufacturers that
best suit your demands. DJI is a
global market leader in the manufacturing of drones.
all the requirements and the next step is to look for the manufacturers that
best suit your demands. DJI is a
global market leader in the manufacturing of drones.
See their site for drone purchase: https://www.dji.com/
Read the Manual:
Once you
have bought the drone according to your requirements, the next important step
is to read its manual carefully. Knowing what your device is capable of
achieving is really important before using it for taking shots. There are lots
of YouTube videos that also guide in unboxing and discussing the main
features.
have bought the drone according to your requirements, the next important step
is to read its manual carefully. Knowing what your device is capable of
achieving is really important before using it for taking shots. There are lots
of YouTube videos that also guide in unboxing and discussing the main
features.
Please see link for
unboxing and review of DJI Phantom 4:
unboxing and review of DJI Phantom 4:
Taking the First Flight:
Before
taking the first flight you need to check its
taking the first flight you need to check its
- Balance
Hover
drone for some time and calibrate
its compass (if needed). Download DJI GO 4 App and connect your device with
it.
- GPS Signal Strength
For connectivity between the drone and a remote controller. (Only advanced users can fly without GPS).
drone for some time and calibrate
its compass (if needed). Download DJI GO 4 App and connect your device with
it.
- Antenna Orientation
For
strong signals, the drone should be aligned perpendicular to antennas
- Battery
- SD Card Requirement
(4k
and slow-motion require higher write speed SD cards)
- Shooting Modes and Shutter Exposure Settings
- Manual Mode
- Line of Sight and Weather Check ( especially strong winds)
Perfection
in flying a drone and taking awesome shots comes with practice.
in flying a drone and taking awesome shots comes with practice.
Accessories Needed for Drone:
If you are a beginner always keep an extra set of propellers so it is advisable to buy some extra propellers along with their guard. For night photography LED lighting kits are available but you need flying experience and some advanced skills for it ( as motion sensors for drones are disabled in low light ). A helipad is another cool drone accessory which can be useful in landing and taking off of the drone.
For more accessories please check the link:
Soft wares needed for Post-processing
of Shots:
Taking shots
from drones is not difficult as it seems but you may require time for enhancing
your drone shots by using soft wares like Photoshop and Lightroom. No matter
how skilled of a photographer you are, post-processing your shots will make
them stand out
from drones is not difficult as it seems but you may require time for enhancing
your drone shots by using soft wares like Photoshop and Lightroom. No matter
how skilled of a photographer you are, post-processing your shots will make
them stand out
Videography:
Video
enthusiasts will find drones for shooting video footage extremely addictive.
There are some pretty advanced cinematic drones out there in the market such as DJI Matrice 300 RTK and
Zenmuse H20 Series (55 minute flight time with a 15Km range. WOW!) But a beginner does not need these advanced maniac flying machines. DJI has a range
of consumer videography drones that are used for photography as well. The
common modes of the drone are:
enthusiasts will find drones for shooting video footage extremely addictive.
There are some pretty advanced cinematic drones out there in the market such as DJI Matrice 300 RTK and
Zenmuse H20 Series (55 minute flight time with a 15Km range. WOW!) But a beginner does not need these advanced maniac flying machines. DJI has a range
of consumer videography drones that are used for photography as well. The
common modes of the drone are:
- 4K & HD Resolution
Drones can provide some seriously high-quality video footage
- Slow Motion
It can capture slow-motion footage which can be used to cover sport events
- Active Track
The active track is a highly intelligent feature of the DJI series of drone aircraft.
Enabling this feature allows the drone pilot to target a specific object and
follow/film it automatically. Once the drone marks the object it easily follows
it giving the pilot a free hand and reducing remote control to the minimum till the
pilot cancels the Active track feature.
- Point of Interest
This
feature allows a video maker to circle any point of interest defined by the
drone pilot. This feature is mostly used for stationary objects such as
buildings, etc.
- Tripod
This
feature allows video-makers to record extremely smooth video shots. This
reduces the controller’s efficiency to control the drone hovering speed and
allows extremely smooth functionality of the gimbal giving the user a super
smooth shot.
- Cinematic Mode
You’re just a touch away from recording great
cinematic shots by using the cinematic mode in the DJI app. This is a smoother
extension of the tripod mode. Do not use it for flying from place to place as
it reduces the YAW duration on the remote controller and slows down the drone
for those smooth and silky cinematic shots.
- Sports Mode
This mode is highly responsive to the remote and
operates the drone in its full speed and agility. It is the complete opposite
of slow mode and Tripod.
Rules and Regulations:
If
you are a Drone owner you should check the rules and regulations of the country
in which you are using it. Some countries put heavy fines if their rules
regarding drone flights are not properly followed. So it is highly recommended to
check the rules before a flight. Drones are restricted in some areas like airports
and sensitive/ defense places. Every DJI manufactured drone gives a warning if it
is used in ‘NO DRONE’ areas.
The active track is a highly intelligent feature of the DJI series of drone aircraft.
Enabling this feature allows the drone pilot to target a specific object and
follow/film it automatically. Once the drone marks the object it easily follows
it giving the pilot a free hand and reducing remote control to the minimum till the
pilot cancels the Active track feature.
Enabling this feature allows the drone pilot to target a specific object and
follow/film it automatically. Once the drone marks the object it easily follows
it giving the pilot a free hand and reducing remote control to the minimum till the
pilot cancels the Active track feature.
This
feature allows a video maker to circle any point of interest defined by the
drone pilot. This feature is mostly used for stationary objects such as
buildings, etc.
feature allows a video maker to circle any point of interest defined by the
drone pilot. This feature is mostly used for stationary objects such as
buildings, etc.
This
feature allows video-makers to record extremely smooth video shots. This
reduces the controller’s efficiency to control the drone hovering speed and
allows extremely smooth functionality of the gimbal giving the user a super
smooth shot.
feature allows video-makers to record extremely smooth video shots. This
reduces the controller’s efficiency to control the drone hovering speed and
allows extremely smooth functionality of the gimbal giving the user a super
smooth shot.
You’re just a touch away from recording great
cinematic shots by using the cinematic mode in the DJI app. This is a smoother
extension of the tripod mode. Do not use it for flying from place to place as
it reduces the YAW duration on the remote controller and slows down the drone
for those smooth and silky cinematic shots.
cinematic shots by using the cinematic mode in the DJI app. This is a smoother
extension of the tripod mode. Do not use it for flying from place to place as
it reduces the YAW duration on the remote controller and slows down the drone
for those smooth and silky cinematic shots.
This mode is highly responsive to the remote and
operates the drone in its full speed and agility. It is the complete opposite
of slow mode and Tripod.
operates the drone in its full speed and agility. It is the complete opposite
of slow mode and Tripod.
Rules and Regulations:
If
you are a Drone owner you should check the rules and regulations of the country
in which you are using it. Some countries put heavy fines if their rules
regarding drone flights are not properly followed. So it is highly recommended to
check the rules before a flight. Drones are restricted in some areas like airports
and sensitive/ defense places. Every DJI manufactured drone gives a warning if it
is used in ‘NO DRONE’ areas.
you are a Drone owner you should check the rules and regulations of the country
in which you are using it. Some countries put heavy fines if their rules
regarding drone flights are not properly followed. So it is highly recommended to
check the rules before a flight. Drones are restricted in some areas like airports
and sensitive/ defense places. Every DJI manufactured drone gives a warning if it
is used in ‘NO DRONE’ areas.
