How to film your trip with a drone

Needless to say, most travelers love taking photos and videos of the places they visit. Over the years, technology has made it easier to capture the beauty of these places, and now modern drone technology offers travelers the chance to appreciate them from a completely different perspective: from above. It has been.

Rebecca Douglas is a UK-based photographer and drone specialist with a passion for documenting her visits to various destinations through aerial photography and video. Throughout her photography career, she was able to capture many amazing shots by using her drone. Once expensive and heavy equipment that required a license to fly, drones are now more compact, portable, and affordable. Here, Rebecca shares some inspiration and advice for first-time drone users on how to see the world from a different perspective.

How has drone technology changed?

I started working with drones in 2016 and obtained my drone pilot's license. Large drones, which require a license to fly, are important pieces of kit and often weigh more than 3 pounds. The drone I'm currently using doesn't require a license, and it's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, making it very easy to carry. It's absolutely amazing how much drone technology has evolved in such a short period of time. Drones are getting smaller and smaller, but what you can get out of them is getting more and more impressive. Improved video and image quality, reduced flight time, and easy to put in your bag. It's a really versatile piece of kit whether you're going hiking or exploring.

Do you have a favorite location to shoot with your drone?

I love shooting at the seaside. I'm very lucky to live on the coast and my drone is very light so I can easily take it with me. My husband is Scottish, so she shoots in Scotland a lot. I also love Iceland. I've been there in every season, but my favorite season to visit is winter. When you go to places with water, you can clearly see how water shapes the landscape. Nature can be seen repeating patterns within it, just as the mouth of a river looks like the veins of a leaf. It's so cool to be able to see it from a different perspective.

What are the main challenges you face as a drone photographer?

Wind speed can be an issue, especially with smaller drones. Conditions may change depending on the weather. It's important to check weather conditions online before you depart. Most drones have manufacturing limitations regarding temperature, so be careful not to fly if it is too hot (above 40 degrees Celsius) or too cold (below 0 degrees Celsius), as this may cause problems.

What are some important tips when using a drone?

Many people tell me how their drone crashed and was ruined on the first flight. Therefore, be sure to practice first. Instead of buying a drone and jumping on a plane to go on vacation, start learning from it. If you're planning on going on a trip, get one in advance, take it somewhere open, and just fly away. Practice landings, practice takeoffs, and start getting used to piloting it to see what you can do. You want to feel as comfortable flying your drone as almost automatically flying.

When you're on a plane, it's helpful to have someone by your side to support you. His second set of eyes is especially useful for monitoring birds and manned aircraft, as he must maintain line of sight for the drone at all times and know exactly where it is in the sky. Even if it's just to pay attention to those around you. It monitors your controller and reminds you to check your battery life to make sure you're not miles out on the water when your battery is about to die.

Are there any specific rules I need to follow when flying a drone?

Yes, the situation is different everywhere, so it's important to always check local regulations online wherever you plan to fly. In Iceland, for example, drones are not allowed to fly over many of its iconic waterfalls. There are also “textbook” things like the maximum altitude and distance you are allowed to fly. In some countries, the maximum distance is as far as the drone can be seen from where you stand, while others have a cut-off at a certain number of meters. Also be aware of “no-fly” zones such as airports and military installations.

How do you get great drone shots?

Think about the best time to shoot, such as golden hour, and think about the composition of the shot. Once you have your drone flying, you can start playing around with what you see and the angles you shoot from. You can shoot in auto mode, but if you're a little more advanced, try manual mode, which gives you control over ISO, shutter speed, and exposure.