Check out the recommended flying skills to help you create amazing aerial photography.
As an aerial photographer, capturing epic shots can seem difficult. But don't worry! There are many easy-to-learn flying skills that can instantly take your material to the next level. Learn these simple shots for pro-level results.
Note: All counterbalance control methods mentioned in this article are based on the remote control's default mode (Mode 2).
1. Linear
Fly your drone in a straight line forward or backward to reveal the connection between your subject and its surroundings. This type of shot is great for creating suspense and is equally effective for transition shots.
How to make a Linear download?
Push up or pull down the right joystick to fly the aircraft forward or backward. Do not deviate to the left or to the right.*
*Can also be achieved using TapFly.
2. Diagonal
Fly your drone sideways while ascending or descending to highlight the complexity of the environment. This creates a sense of depth with the foreground and background in the shot.
How to make a Diagonal shot?
Press or pull the left joystick while pressing the right joystick left or right to create a diagonal flight path.
3. Pan
While hovering in the air, slowly rotate the camera from left to right. This shot expands the view with a fixed frame size, introduces connections between multiple objects, and reproduces a rotating FPV perspective.
How to take a Pan shot?
Push the left joystick slightly left or right.
4. Sideward
Fly the drone left or right in a straight line. Try to track a subject while performing this shot for a unique and dynamic effect. It's a great way to impress your audience and portray movement.
How to do a Sideward shot?
Push the right joystick left or right and control the drone to fly sideways.
5. Circle
Fly the drone around a specific point or object to reveal the subject from all angles. This is a very simple maneuver that compares attributes of the environment.
How to make a Circle download?
Push both joysticks out at the same time to circle clockwise. Push both joysticks in to circle counterclockwise. Try to keep the right angles for a perfect circle. This effect can also be achieved with the Point of Interest feature.
6. Spiral
Rolling the drone in flight up or down creates a stunning shot that expands the perspective vertically while focusing on your subject.
How to make a Spiral download?
Press or pull the left joystick while the drone turns slowly. These two movements combined will create a spiral.
This spiral shot is for demonstration purposes only and was taken in a controlled environment. Avoid flying in large groups of people and always fly safely.
7. Dronie
To shoot a Dronie video, you need to fly the drone backwards and upwards at the same time. This is a classic drone shot, keeping your subject in the center of the frame while widening the perspective. It achieves a strong visual effect, which is perfect for transition scenes in your video.
How to do a Dronie shot?
Push the left joystick to make the drone go up and pull the right joystick to fly it backwards. At the same time, turn the gimbal to slowly tilt the camera down.*
*Can be achieved using QuickShots, available on some drone models.
8. Rocket
Fly the drone up and reveal a dramatic shot of the scenery.
How to make a Rocket shot?
Rotate the gimbal until it points down and push the left joystick to raise the drone.
9. Dolly Zoom
Dolly Zoom automatically adjusts focus while keeping the size of the subject mostly unchanged, adding a sharp, warping visual effect to your video.
How to do a Dolly Zoom shot?
Press the right joystick to fly the drone forward, while simultaneously rotating the right control knob counterclockwise to zoom out. You can also pull down on the right joystick to fly the drone backwards while simultaneously turning the right button clockwise to zoom in.*
*Dolly Zoom is only supported by aircraft with built-in zoom functions, such as the Mavic 2 Zoom.
10. Overlook
Pull the gimbal down slowly as you fly the aircraft forward or up. This shot is a great way to draw your audience into a big scene or moment.
How to take an Overlook shot?
Push up or pull down the right joystick to fly the drone forward or backward and at the same time slowly turn the left control knob counterclockwise to tilt the counterbalance down.
Drone flight maneuvers
These simple drone maneuvers are the foundation for any great aerial shots. Whether you're doing a Zoom Dolly with the Mavic 2 Zoom, or taking a snapshot with the Mavic Mini< /strong>, practice makes a huge difference!