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Instagram is the destination for some of the most beautiful aerial photos and videos. Have you ever wondered how these geniuses produce the beautiful images we see? Sometimes we wonder, "Why can't I take amazing pictures like them?" Here we summarize six common shooting mistakes that you should avoid to be the star of Instagram.
1. Inappropriate choice of scenery
This is probably the most common mistake, especially for novice drone operators. Yes, we understand that you couldn't wait another moment to test your drone. However, taking a photo is 70% about choosing the right spot and probably only 30% about taking the photo itself. If you don't find the best place to shoot her, you lose the game all over. Finding a suitable location to capture your aerial photos and videos is crucial.
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Finding the right spot is not as difficult as it sounds. First, we recommend that you never start before doing research. You can search online, ask friends or join photography communities. Additionally, Google Earth, a 3D visualization of the Earth based on satellite imagery, is an extremely useful tool and it's free! You can preview your choice of destination or move around the map to discover ideal spots. Finally, as a photographer, you should develop your ability to scout out the best shooting spots. By taking into account your changing surroundings, you may accidentally spot beautiful spots for your next photo shoot.
2. Inappropriate timing
Now that you have chosen the best location, you can now focus on timing your shot. However, don't get too confident as you haven't captured the perfect shot yet. You may arrive at your destination too late, resulting in dark photos. Make sure you give yourself enough time!
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Getting to your destination at the right time is a tip we really want to emphasize. Usually, an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset are the best times. This time is also known as the "golden hour" for photography. This happens when the sun is in a lower position and the light is much softer. With this kind of light, the scene and subject will have long shadows and the shot will be deeper and show a sense of space.
Timing is also related to weather. By checking the weather forecast, you will be able to avoid adverse conditions. You may also want to incorporate special weather such as fog, which adds a mysterious touch to certain scenes. Good weather or bad weather really depends on the mood you want to convey in your photo. For example, rain can be good weather if you're exploring sadness in a photo.
3. Improper exposure
Exposure is the first thing to consider in a shot. Overexposure or underexposure directly affects the beauty and detail of a photo, and in severe situations post-production will not help.
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To avoid this situation during a shoot, we recommend using the Auto Exposure mode, which is especially useful for beginners. However, for video recording, we recommend that you use the Manual Exposure mode to get a better understanding of shutter, aperture and ISO.
4. Improper composition
Composition is the placement of elements within the frame of a photograph. Improper composition unbalances and distorts the subject behind each photo, so even if you're in the perfect location at the perfect time, an improper composition will ruin your photo.
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Learning composition techniques increases your chances of success in aerial photography. Here are some of the most common:
Rule of Thirds: Divide your image into nine parts with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. The most important object should be placed along the lines or at the intersection of the lines.
Diagonal line: Just as it sounds, the diagonal line in the image divides the scene into equal parts.
Symmetry: One half of the image mirrors the other half.
Center: The most important object is in the middle of the image.
Frame: Block out a part of the subject to better frame the image.
Another quick tip: To avoid mistakes like a skewed horizon for example, you need to adjust the counterbalance roll axis before take off.
5. Neglecting post-production
In the age of social media, it's hard to get people's attention with unedited images. Most of the amazing photos we see are properly edited. Additionally, JPEG photos usually can't capture as much detail as RAW photos, but post-production can help improve things in photos like color, white balance, and contrast.
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Editing photos in mobile apps is convenient, we all know that, but professional desktop software like Photoshop and Lightroom are essential for post-production. With these professional tools, we recommend you start by understanding what each function can do to improve your image. For example, the Curves mode could adjust the exposure of your photo by separating the light levels. You can also adjust the colors with Saturation or Vibrance.
6. After production
While we argue that post-production helps us on the path to success, decadence is dangerous. For example, adjusting the saturation and contrast too much will make the photo look stiff and unrealistic.
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When editing, you should remember that sometimes less is more. Saturation, contrast, and sharpness provide unique effects when adjusting, but these corrections are usually overkill if used at the same time. If possible, set the photo format to RAW, an unprocessed and uncompressed file, to achieve maximum detail and accurate exposure.
In summary, location, timing, exposure, composition and post-production are elements that will affect your aerial photography. For beginners, practice makes perfect, but being aware of these elements will help you progress faster. We hope you enjoy your flight and your photo will "take off" after reading this article.