Drones can capture spectacular, high-resolution video, but it’s also easy to create mediocre footage if you don’t follow some basic rules. Many of the principles discussed on the photo page apply to moving images—composition and lighting are key.
Video adds the extra dimension of motion and offers a variety of possible shots to engage viewers. Drone footage can communicate processes and relationships that are harder to capture with still images.
Before taking off, ask yourself how movement will add to the story. Will the shot reveal context or scale? Will you follow a subject?
Regardless of the type of shot, you should always move your drone steadily. Abrupt movements feel jerky and will turn off viewers. One of the primary skills to practice is flying your aircraft smoothly through a range of different maneuvers.
Once you’re comfortable moving in one direction (e.g., forward or up), you can then progress to more complicated moves (e.g., moving backward from your subject while also gaining altitude).
When capturing video clips, I usually try to film for at least 10 seconds so there’s plenty of material to work with in the editing process. I typically use 24 or 30 frames per second, but if you’re capturing fast motion or want to slow down the video later, 60 frames per second is a better choice.
Locking your white balance and exposure during the clip can prevent automatic settings from making noticeable shifts. I typically shoot in 4K, but that does require faster and larger memory cards.
Below, I’ve outlined some of the most common methods for moving your drone and camera while filming. In general, you should try to capture a variety of shots, ranging from wide-angle establishing views to tighter footage of details. (Static clips are also important—the drone doesn’t always need to be in motion.)
1) Straight-line movements
It’s not fancy, but simply flying your drone forward or backward can be effective, provided that you keep a constant speed and maintain a steady camera. Likewise, flying left or right is a basic shot you should master. Be sure to experiment with different speeds and altitudes. If you’re closer to the ground or water, the scenery will pass by more quickly, which can make the shot more dynamic.
2) Crane shot
Simulate the use of a camera crane by flying directly up or down. Flying up reveals more of the surroundings while flying down can direct the viewer toward a subject. A more advanced move is to fly diagonally by moving left or right while ascending or descending.
3) Top-down (bird’s-eye view)
Point your camera straight down and move forward, backward, or side to side. This shot is great for capturing patterns in the landscape below. It also keeps your viewer guessing about what’s about to enter the frame.
4) Take off looking down
As with the bird’s-eye view, you’ll want your camera pointed directly below the drone, but in this case, you rise straight up to reveal the surroundings.
5) The reveal
To keep your viewers interested, start low behind an object, such as trees or a cliff, and then slowly rise or move forward to reveal what’s behind. This shot taps into the viewer’s curiosity because it’s not clear what is behind the obstacle.
6) The pull away
Begin filming very close to your subject and then fly backward and upward, which reveals the surroundings and puts the subject in context. Getting your trajectory right so that the subject stays in the frame may require some practice runs.
7) Orbit
Fly your drone in a circle around the subject while keeping it in the frame. This move is very challenging to do manually, but many drones include automated orbits in which you can set the speed and radius of the circle you’re flying. While in an automated mode, you still must actively supervise the drone and be ready to take manual control.
8) Tracking
If your subject is in motion, follow it with your drone. You can film the subject from behind, the side, or in front. Keeping pace with the subject can be tough, but many drones offer an automated mode that allows you to identify and follow an object. If you’re flying close to the subject, you should obtain consent and maintain safe separation.
9) Tilt up
One way to reveal more of a scene to the viewer is to start with the camera facing down and then very slowly tilt the view upward when you’re flying forward/backward or rising straight up. You’ll have to move both the camera angle and the drone simultaneously, so this can be a difficult shot to nail.
10) Parallax
You can emphasize depth by flying sideways while close to a nearby object, which causes it to move more quickly in the frame than the background. This works best if the scene has multiple layers with something close to the camera and a distant background, such as the horizon or mountains. While moving sideways you can also move the camera slightly in the opposite direction to enhance the effect.
