Mastering Drone Photography with the DJI Mini Pro

Drones have revolutionized how we explore and document our surroundings from breathtaking heights. 

If you’re looking to advance your drone photography skills, particularly with the DJI Mini Pro, this tutorial will guide you through a comprehensive plan over several weeks. 

Weeks 1-2

• Explore Advanced Drone Settings and Modes
  
• Research Your Drone’s Capabilities
  
• Read the Manual 
  
• Delve into the manual, focusing on advanced settings and modes tailored for the Mini Pro 4.
  
• Watch Tutorials 
  
• Locate videos specific to your drone model on platforms like YouTube. They can provide insights into features you might not be familiar with.
  

Hands-On Practice Camera Settings 

• Experiment with ISO, shutter speed, and aperture (if applicable).
  
• Explore Modes
  
• Use settings such as HDR, AEB, and play around with white balance. Try specialized modes like Panorama and Hyper-lapse to diversify your shooting repertoire.
  

Weeks 3-4 Advanced Photography Techniques

• Study Advanced Techniques
  
• Composition Rules 
  
• Learn about the rule of thirds, leading lines, and the importance of lighting, especially during the golden hour.
  
• Using Histograms 
  
• Understand how to read histograms for proper exposure.
  
• Practice Sessions
  
• Regular Reviews 
  
• Schedule practice sessions to apply learned techniques. Critically assess your work to identify areas for improvement.
  

Weeks 5-8 Learning Advanced Flight Maneuvers

• Start with Simple Movements
  
• Master Basics 
  
• Focus on basic maneuvers such as hovering and straight-line flying while keeping the camera steady.
  

Transition to Complex Maneuvers Advanced Patterns. Use Flight Simulators

• Experiment with figure-eights, circles, and spirals. Balance manual control and automated paths for optimal footage.
  
• Practice Safely 
  
• Utilize drone flight simulators to enhance your skills without compromising your drone’s safety.
  

Months 3-6 Mastering the Skills

• Combine Photography with Flight Skills
  
• Dynamic Shots 
  
• Capture images that blend advanced maneuvers with compelling compositions. Engage in mini-projects like shooting sunsets or moving objects.
  

Editing and Post-Processing

• Software Skills 
  
• Familiarize yourself with Lightroom for photos and Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve for videos. Focus on color grading, adding effects, and smooth transitions in your final edits.
  

Getting Started with the DJI Go App

Using manual mode and the right settings can significantly enhance your drone photography. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started with the DJI Go app and some advanced camera settings tips.

1. Download and Install

Ensure you have the DJI Go 4 app installed on your mobile device. This app is compatible with the Mini Pro 4.

2. Firmware Updates

• Open the DJI Go 4 app and connect your drone.
• If there’s a firmware update available, you’ll see a notification. Follow the prompts to download and install the update. Make sure your drone, controller, and batteries are all updated to the latest firmware.

3. Calibrate Sensors

Before flying, it’s a good idea to calibrate the compass and IMU via the app to ensure safe and stable flying.

Using Manual Mode

To gain more control over your shots, switch to  manual mode

1. Switch to Camera View

On the home screen of the DJI Go 4 app, tap on “Enter Camera View.”

2. Switch to Manual Mode

• Tap on the camera settings icon (usually labeled “C1”).
  
• Switch from “Auto” to “M” (Manual).
  

Advanced Camera Settings

Here’s a breakdown of essential camera settings you can adjust in manual mode:

1. ISO

ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. 

Lower ISO values (100-400) are ideal for bright conditions, while higher values (800-1600) can be used in low light but may introduce noise. Prefer lower ISO settings to maintain image quality.

2. Shutter Speed

Shutter speed affects how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. 

Faster shutter speeds (e.g., 1/1000s) freeze motion, while slower speeds (e.g., 1/50s) may introduce motion blur. For video, a common rule is to set the shutter speed to double the frame rate (e.g., 1/60s for 30fps video).

3. Aperture

The Mini Pro has a fixed aperture, so you don’t need to worry about adjusting this.

4. White Balance

White balance adjusts the color temperature of your images. 

Use presets like “Sunny,” “Cloudy,” or set it manually (e.g., 5500K for daylight). Consistent white balance is key to achieving true-to-life colors.

5. Exposure Compensation

Adjust the exposure value (EV) if your image is too dark or too bright. 

A value of 0 is neutral; positive values brighten and negative values darken the image.

6. Focus

Tap the screen to set the focus point. 

For landscapes or wide shots, infinity focus is usually best. For subjects closer to the drone, tap where you want the focus.

Additional Tips for Shooting

1. Use ND Filters

Neutral Density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the camera. This helps manage overexposure, especially in bright conditions, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds.

2. Bracketing

Use AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) to take multiple shots at different exposures. This is useful for HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, where you merge images to produce a well-exposed photo.

3. Shoot in RAW

Set your image format to RAW for better post-processing options. RAW files contain more data, making it easier to adjust exposure, color, and other settings in editing software.

4. Gridlines

Enable gridlines in the app to help with composition. The rule of thirds grid can be particularly helpful.

5. Histogram

Use the histogram tool to ensure your exposure is balanced. Aim for a histogram that’s spread evenly without clipping on the left (underexposure) or right (overexposure).

Post-Processing

After your flight, use editing software like Adobe Lightroom for stills and Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve for video. Adjust settings such as exposure, contrast, saturation, and sharpness. Correct lens distortion and add any desired color grading.

1. Choose Your Software For still photography, consider using Adobe Lightroom, which offers a robust suite of editing tools specifically designed for photo refinement. For video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve are excellent choices. Both offer comprehensive timelines, key framing, and a wealth of effects.

2. Import Your Media Transfer your footage and images from your drone to your computer. Keep your files organized with a clear folder structure to streamline the editing process.

Basic Adjustments

1. Exposure Balance the light and dark areas of your images or video to ensure a well-lit final product. Use the histogram as a guide to avoid overexposure or underexposure.

2. Contrast Enhance the difference between light and dark areas to add depth and dimension.

3. Saturation Adjust the intensity of your colors. Be careful not to oversaturate, which can result in unrealistic colors.

4. Sharpness Enhance the clarity and detail of your footage. As with saturation, avoid overdoing it to maintain a natural look.

5. Correct Lens Distortion Many drone cameras have a fisheye effect that can warp your images or footage. Use lens correction tools to straighten lines and remove any unwanted distortion.

Advanced Edits

1. Color Grading Apply color grading to establish a consistent and professional look across all your footage. Experiment with different LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to achieve cinematic styles.

2. Stabilisation If your footage is shaky, use software stabilization features to smooth it out, creating a more professional appearance.

3. Noise Reduction Reduce any grain or noise, especially in footage shot in low light conditions. Be cautious as too much noise reduction can lead to a loss of detail.

Final Touches

1. Cropping and Framing Ensure your composition is perfect by cropping out any unwanted elements and framing your subject correctly.

2. Exporting Choose the correct export settings for your needs. For high-resolution web content, ensure you export in 4K or 1080p with a high bitrate. For social media, you may need to adjust settings for different platforms.

Common Drone Shots and Creative Variations

Here are some common drone shots along with ideas for how to change them up 

Common Drone Shots

1. Bird’s Eye View A top-down perspective that gives a unique and expansive view of the subject or landscape.

2. Reveal Shot Start close to a subject and then fly backward or upward to reveal more of the surroundings.

3. Leading Lines Utilize natural or man-made lines like roads, rivers, or pathways to guide the viewer’s eye through the image.

4. Topographic Shot Showcase the textures and patterns of the terrain from above, creating striking geometric shapes.

5. Perspective Shot Use altitude changes to shift the perspective and create dynamic and interesting compositions.

6. Panoramic Shot Capture a wide-angle view by taking multiple overlapping shots and stitching them together in post-processing.

7. Dronie A drone selfie where the drone flies backward and upward while keeping the subject in focus, revealing the surroundings.

8. Orbit Shot Circle around a subject or landmark to showcase it from all angles.

Shot Library

1. Establishing Shots Wide-angle shots that set the scene.

2. Close-Ups Focused shots detailing specific elements.

3. Overhead Shots Directly above shots emphasizing patterns.

4. Motion Shots Capturing movement, such as cars or waves.

5. Vertical Shots Highlighting the height of a subject or showcasing vertical structures.

Ways to Change the Shot

1. Change Altitude and Distance Experiment with flying higher or lower to show different perspectives and scales.

2. Adjust Angles Tilt the camera up or down to capture unique angles or dramatic views.

3. Combine Movements Incorporate drone movements like tilting, panning, or orbiting for dynamic shots.

4. Use Point of Interest (POI) Set a point of interest for the drone to circle around, creating an engaging shot with a central focus.

5. Fly Through Objects Fly through natural elements like trees or man-made structures to add depth and intrigue to your shots.

6. Time-Lapse and Hyper-lapse Experiment with time-lapse photography to capture changing landscapes or hyper-lapse to create dynamic motion in your footage.

7. Golden Hour and Night Shots Shoot during golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm, soft light, or try long exposures at night for stunning cityscapes or light trails.

8. Incorporate People or Wildlife Include subjects in your shots to add scale, story, and a sense of connection to the scene.

9. Experiment with Filters Try using ND filters to control exposure or polarizing filters to enhance colors and reduce glare.

10. Change Speed and Movement Vary the speed of your drone and movements to create different moods and styles in your footage.

Continuous Learning and Creativity

By utilizing an array of shot types, experimenting with distinctive angles, and exploring dynamic movement and composition, you can greatly enrich the creativity and depth of your drone photography. 

Through consistent practice and an adventurous attitude, the possibilities are endless. 

1. Keep experimenting, trying new techniques, and learning from other photographers to develop your unique style.
2. Practice and feedback from your shots can help you refine your skills and discover what works best for you.

Enjoy your droning escapades!

Watch My Drone Video on Youtube!