Learning how to fly a drone is just one aspect of getting jaw-dropping drone footage: special drone shooting techniques are key to getting the most out of your camera. Just a few simple tips and tweaks can seriously level up your footage.
General tips Think of your drone kind of like a Steadicam or dolly on a set. Slow, steady movements are best for footage and make it easier to avoid collisions. Try to shoot away from the sun, as like with normal videography, lighting is important. You might want to pack a natural density or ND filter to reduce how much light enters the camera, if you’re expecting high brightness. Be sure to dust your lens before takeoff to avoid weird shiny bits if the sun hits it. Make sure to hold your recording a bit longer than you think you’ll need, to give yourself more room to play in the edit.
Drone-specific shots Drone-specific shooting techniques include the fly-by, a very popular shot where your drone flies by the shot subject; over a building, through a bridge, or just past a person. During the fly-by you can pan or tilt the camera to keep the subject in frame for the perfect composition. Try getting one of these shots every time you fly. A fly-through shot is fancier and more dangerous, and involves piloting the drone through a hole or gap. Smaller drones equipped with propeller guards and flying cautiously are best for this technique.
Another cool technique is the reveal, where you start close to your subject and pull back as the drone gets farther away. This is effective for revealing a striking setting, or opening a new scene. Different camera angles can work for different scenes, but starting with the camera on a low tilt and panning up as you pull back is a good start. The high-pan is another drone filming technique that’s simple to film but very striking to watch. The drone goes high and pans from one side to the other. Try filming one shot right to left and another left to right. It makes for great b-roll and transition footage too. As with all drone shooting, prep is super important. Check the weather, understand the rules and regulations of the area you’re flying, bring supplies like extra batteries and SD cards, and have a sense of adventure.
What type of drone project are you hoping to film next? Let us know below, and don’t forget to like the video if you learned something!
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Okay, you've got a drone and you learned how to fly it. Achievement unlocked. But there's so much
more to jaw-dropping drone footage than just getting it in the air and hitting record.
Today we'll go over some tips and tricks for getting the best drone video possible. This is DIY
in 5. Hey everyone, I'm Trisha Hershberger and you are watching DIY in 5, the show where we make
tech easy enough to DIY all in a video that's five minutes or less. Today we're going over some
simple tips that will seriously level up your drone video footage with just a few tweaks.
So let's get started. First up, think of your drone kind of like a steadicam or dolly on a set.
Slow steady movements are going to be your best friend. Plus it makes it easier to avoid
collisions. Oops, sorry. Try to shoot away from the sun because just like normal videography,
you'll want to pay attention to lighting. You may even want to pack a neutral density
or ND filter to reduce the amount of light that enters the camera if you're expecting a really
bright setting. Also dust off your lens before takeoff so you don't get any weird shiny bits if
the sun does hit it. Finally, be sure to hold your recording just a little longer than you think
you'll need so you have more room to play in the edit. Now let's try some cool drone specific
shooting techniques. The flyby is a very popular shot where you fly your drone by the subject of
your shot. Think over a building, through a bridge, or just to the side of your main character.
While flying by, you can pan or tilt the camera to keep your subject in frame and get exactly
the composition you want. I recommend getting at least one of these shots every time you fly.
If you want to get really fancy, you could do a fly through shot where you pilot the drone through
a hole or gap in something. This is one of the more dangerous shots in terms of avoiding drone
collisions, but with a smaller drone, propeller guards, and a nice slow pace, you got this.
The reveal is another cool technique where you start close enough to your subject that you really
don't see the whole picture, then pull back as the drone gets farther away. This is really awesome
for revealing a gorgeous setting or opening a new scene. You can start with the camera tilted low
and pan up as you pull back as well. Mess around with different camera angles and find what works
for you. The high pan is another drone filming technique that's simple to film yet packs a big
punch, whereby you get your drone high in the air and slowly pan from one side to the other.
We recommend filming one shot right to left and one left to right. It makes for awesome b-roll
and transition footage too. As with any day of drone shooting, prep is super important. Check
the weather and have a good understanding of the rules and regulations where you are flying.
Bring extra batteries, SD cards, and a sense of adventure.
Let us know in the comments what type of drone project you're hoping to film next.
Like this video if you learned something and we'll see you soon with more DIY in 5.
