Take Your Drone Videos to the Next Level with These 5 Simple Tips

(Image credit- Graydon Schwartz) The thought of filming while flying can be intimidating, regardless of whether you're a newbie pilot using one of the best drones for beginners or an expert flyer using one of the best drones available. But don't let the apparent difficulty deter you; recording aerial video is simpler than you might imagine, and after reading these suggestions, you'll be recording beautiful aerial films in no time.

5 Simple Steps to Take Your Drones Video to the Next Level

Drones are essentially flying cameras that let you access places that are off-limits to pedestrian traffic and take pictures from very high angles. There are many similarities between drone photography and video, but in order to get the most fascinating footage, you frequently need to fly the drone at the same time as you shoot it. Here are some tips to help you create drone videos effectively: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Image credit- Adorama[/caption]

1. Choose your color profile wisely

For video capture with drones, there are commonly two types of profiles: flat profiles like Log or Cinelike, which DJI refers to as "D-Log" and "D-Cinelike," and traditional color profiles, which DJI refers to as "Normal." However, for most users, the key choice will be whether to shoot in a flat or conventional profile. Some advanced drones, like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, also allow Raw shooting in Apple ProRes format. Flat profiles like Cinelike and Log need to be processed and color graded during editing since they capture a wide dynamic range and big color gamut. Standard profiles are simpler to use and produce a look that is directly out of the camera, avoiding the need for color grading editing.

2. Remain steady with manual exposure

It's ideal to film an aerial video with manual control of the camera to preserve exposure and white balance consistency, with the exception of circumstances where you're flying between light and dark places where exposure differs noticeably. This involves manually configuring the following parameters rather than selecting any of the Auto options: ISO, shutter speed, aperture (if your drone has an adjustable aperture), and white balance. Also read: Neolithic Cave Paintings in Spain Found by Archaeologists Using Drones

3. Keep resolution and frame rate in mind

Since the majority of consumers now own 4K televisions and computer monitors, filming in 4K enables you to fully utilize that resolution without the use of interpolation, which enlarges the image on the viewing device. Additionally, downscaling the 4K footage to FHD will yield better results even if you want to export your video in FHD (1080p). However, since many drones can shoot at a higher framerate when shooting video at this resolution, one circumstance in which you might decide to film natively in FHD is for capturing slow-motion footage. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image credit- LEDEBUT[/caption]

4. Follow the 180-degree shutter rule.

There is a straightforward "180-degree shutter rule" to adhere to in order to capture natural-looking movement in video with just the appropriate amount of blur. Simply set the shutter speed to be twice as fast as the framerate you're shooting at—for example, 1/50 sec for 25 fps, 1/60 sec for 30 fps, and so on. With the shutter speed set as above, lower the ISO to the absolute minimum. If your drone has a variable aperture, set it to the desired value. If the light changes while you are flying, you can adjust the aperture to manage exposure. Use an ND filter to block off light entering the lens if the image on the screen appears too bright.

5. Use visual guidance

Every drone software provides various visual aids that can make shooting quicker, easier, and more accurate, regardless of whether you're using a smart controller or your phone connected to a drone controller. Additionally, it makes sense to activate them even if you are a skilled cameraman or photographer. Gridlines are great for assisting composition and determining when to stop or begin a gimbal tilt, while "Peaking" is crucial if you adjust the focus manually for video, and I advise going with the normal setting.