Drones for Adventure Photography: What You Need to Know
Learn what a drone is, what to look for when purchasing a drone, and what my personal recommendation is when it comes to adventure photography.
Prefer to watch this tutorial in video format? 😏
Introduction
In this tutorial, I’m going to cover drones and how they relate to adventure photography. I’ll explain what a drone is, a few things to look for when buying one, and what my personal recommendation is. Let’s get started!
What Is a Drone?
A drone, as you probably know, is essentially a small robotic device that you control with a remote. Most have a camera mounted on them, allowing you to fly to different elevations and capture unique angles that aren’t possible from the ground.
Drones are also extremely helpful for location scouting. For example, if you want to see what a mountain range looks like from the other side of a hill, you can launch your drone, fly it over in under five minutes, and decide whether it’s worth hiking the additional 30 minutes to get there.
If you’re a new photographer, I highly recommend looking into drones to differentiate your photography. At first glance, it can appear overwhelming- especially if you’re already thinking about camera bodies, lenses, filters, and all the gear normal photography requires. But drones can actually be quite affordable, and even entry-level models can add ridiculous value to your work.
Let’s break down what you need to know.
A drone photo I took on a canopy bridge at Ixpanpajul in Guatemala.
What to Look for in a Drone
When looking for a photography drone, there are four key components that I consider:
1. Size
In my opinion, size is the most important factor in drones. The smaller the drone, the less space it takes up in your camera bag, meaning you can bring it anywhere.
For example, the DJI Mavic Mini drone is so compact it can literally fit in the palm of your hand, or even in a coat pocket. Smaller drones like this are extremely portable, which is why I prefer them for adventure photography.
In contrast, higher-end drones can be nearly a foot long (not including the controller) and several pounds. Carrying something that large and heavy can take up half your bag, and often, the extra features aren’t worth the hassle.
2. Air Time
Next, I take into consideration how long the drone can stay in the air. Most drones today offer 20–30 minutes of flight time per battery. Some higher-end models exceed that, but for smaller drones, that’s the typical range.
In general it’s a good idea to carry multiple batteries if you’re planning to shoot from different perspectives throughout a hike. For example, if you’re at the base of a mountain you can get a shot from below, and then when you’re on top of the mountain you can get a shot of yourself from above.
It’s also helpful to have multiple batteries if you prefer to take your time in finding a composition, or if the light decides to improve right after you land. (This always seems to happen.)
My general rule is to carry three batteries at a time, including the one inside the drone.
A top-down drone shot taken in the town of San Ignacio, Mexico.
3. Image Quality
The biggest tradeoff in the drone world is image quality versus drone size. Smaller drones typically don’t have the same image quality as larger, more expensive ones.
If you’re mostly posting to social media (like me,) lower image quality isn't a dealbreaker. However, if you plan to print your drone photos for art shows, a higher end model is usually required to get that clean resolution.
Here’s a pro tip: invest in ND filters for your drone. Just like for your main camera, ND filters help you manage various lighting situations and dramatically improve both photos and video.
4. Reliability
Finally, it goes without saying that you should look for a reliable drone. No matter how good of a pilot you are, your drone will take a beating. Wind, hard landings, dust, trees, and unforeseen weather events are the usual culprits. For me, it always seems to happen when I’m showing off my drone to someone.
Choose a brand with a solid reputation. While I’m not endorsing any particular brand, DJI is worth mentioning. It’s got quite the monopoly in the photography drone space, and their drones are known for reliability and ease of use.
A drone photo of the Bisti Badlands in New Mexico, taken with the DJI Mavic Mini.
My Recommendation
For beginner photographers, I recommend starting with a small drone like the DJI Mavic Mini line. These drones cost around $300–$500 (and older models are even cheaper).
Why start small? Well for one, they’re highly portable and you can take them anywhere. You’ll feel more confident taking risks with a $300 drone rather than a $2,000 one. They’re also great for learning and building up your flight skills.
Even though you’ll sacrifice some image quality, smaller drones let you fly more often and discover what types of images you like. Once you’re ready to sell prints or need higher resolution, you can upgrade to a mid-tier or professional drone like the DJI Air or Maverick series.
A Word of Caution: Drone Laws
Finally, let me drop a lil’ warning about drone regulations.
In many parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia, flying drones is heavily restricted or just straight up illegal. Technically, you need a drone pilot’s license to fly in most places.
Keep in mind that 80% of drone photos you see online were most likely taken in areas where flying isn’t permitted. This means that there’s a strong possibility that if you’re caught you can be fined and potentially face jail time.
But as Martin Scorsese once said, “I prefer people who don't get caught.”
A drone photo taken at one of the (very) few legal spots to fly in Denver, Colorado- Chatfield State Park.
Closing Thoughts
Drones are an important part of adventure photography. They give you a unique perspective on the land, and are an easy way to differentiate your portfolio from the average everyday photographer. Start small, learn the rope, and upgrade when you feel like you need higher image quality.
When seeking out a drone, focus on the size, air time, image quality, and its general reliability. . Keep practicing, and you’ll be a pro in no time. If you want specific tips on how to get good at drone photography, check out my Aerial photography tutorial.
Now let’s hop into the next tutorial in this course, where everything you need to know about photography Accessories.
