This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 2 of 2. Read part 1. In this 2 part article, we're going to explore creating a 3 image HDR in Aurora 2019. I’m using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW shooting AEB (auto exposure bracketing) mode taking 3 photographs. One challenge in shooting multiple exposures with a drone is that there can be a slight change of position between the photographs, even at faster shutter speeds because of GPS drift, wind, and other variables. Because of this, I will use a high ghost … [Read more...] about Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 2
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Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 1
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 1 of 2. In this 2 part article, we're going to explore creating a 3 image HDR merge in Aurora HDR 2019. I’m using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW shooting AEB (auto exposure bracketing) mode taking 3 photographs. One challenge in shooting multiple exposures with a drone is that there can be a slight change of position between the photographs, even at faster shutter speeds because of GPS drift, wind, and other variables. Because of this, I will use a high ghost … [Read more...] about Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 1
Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 2
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 2 of 2. You'll find part 1 of this article here. In this 2 part article, I'm going to show you how you can enhance a single image in Aurora 2019. I'm using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW. One of the challenges with the DJI DNG RAW is that it can take a lot more work to create a good looking photograph from it. I was very interested to see how Aurora 2019 handled this challenge. Let's take a look. Full disclosure: I received a copy of Aurora HDR 2019 for review … [Read more...] about Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 2
Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 1
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 1 of 2. In this 2 part article, I'm going to show you how you can enhance a single image in Aurora HDR 2019. I'm using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW. One of the challenges with the DJI DNG RAW is that it can take a lot more work to create a good looking photograph from it. I was very interested to see how Aurora 2019 handled this challenge. Let's take a look. Full disclosure: I received a copy of Aurora HDR 2019 for review purposes. As always, I am giving you … [Read more...] about Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 1
Quick Tip: Slowing down your panning speed can reduce jitter in your drone videos
Are you having problems with your drone videos having a smearing or jitter during your panning from left to right or from right to left? If so, try slowing down how fast you pan. That will often result in jitter-free video. See the full article, "Becoming a Better Drone Videographer: Reducing Jitter in Your Drone Footage" here. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Slowing down your panning speed can reduce jitter in your drone videos
Quick Tip: A landing pad might save your drone from damage
A few weeks back I had an incident with my DJI Inspire 2 drone. While I was taking off from a very gravelly location, I had one of the propellers detach. Because I was on a large landing pad, I was able to power it down and all that happened was that it rolled over and powered off. Had I not been using a landing pad, the drone would have sustained substantial damage. Even though I am very careful and double check this, this kind of incident can happen. Want the full story on landing pads for drones? Read it here. Fly safe and have fun! … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: A landing pad might save your drone from damage
Becoming a Better Drone Pilot: Display Sunshades and the One I Use
Using a sunshade might seem like extra trouble and hassle, but I find there are definite advantages to using one, especially when they work properly. Check it out the article below and see if one might help you with your drone projects. Why Do I Use a Sunshade? For me, the bottom line is that it helps me see the tablet or smartphone screen more clearly and easily. That translates into better videos and photographs because I can see what is in focus and out of focus and what's in the frame. This clearer view of the screen also lets … [Read more...] about Becoming a Better Drone Pilot: Display Sunshades and the One I Use
In Depth Gear Review: Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Backpack For Drones!
Vanguard's Alta Sky 51D is a spacious backpack for camera gear. It'll carry a laptop in addition to cameras, including the largest DSLR's, but its special characteristic is that it can be configured to carry a quad-copter drone, like a DJI Phantom. Even loaded very heavily, it is comfortable to wear and manages sweat well. It's a heavy-duty backpack for carrying and storing your gear, and it has a lifetime warranty. Highly recommended. More specs and details right here. Photos below the video. https://youtu.be/EYulL9MLbDk … [Read more...] about In Depth Gear Review: Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Backpack For Drones!
Becoming a Better Drone Pilot: Do I Really Need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Do you really need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate? If you are earning money or want to earn money with your drone, you are required by the FAA to have your remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating (Part 107). Many companies, such as DroneBase.com and others, are now requiring proof and asking you to submit a copy of your Part 107 before allowing you to do work for them. Without it, these companies will not hire you for projects. This certification also will teach you how to know what airspace you are flying in and what … [Read more...] about Becoming a Better Drone Pilot: Do I Really Need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Becoming a Better Drone Pilot: Brother AirScouter WD-300C Head-mounted Display Review
In this article, I review the new Brother AirScouter WD-300C Head-mounted Display, that I have been using for the last 3 weeks. In much of my commercial drone work, I am a single operator drone pilot. That means I am having to control the drone and the camera simultaneously. That translate into looking down at my tablet and back up to the drone, so I can fly safely and still get the shot. I am finding that using a headset even helps me do a better job when I am piloting and have a second operator controlling the camera because I can see what … [Read more...] about Becoming a Better Drone Pilot: Brother AirScouter WD-300C Head-mounted Display Review
How to Create a Custom Workspace in Luminar 2018 for DJI RAW
This article and video are about how to create a custom Workspace in Luminar 2018 for editing your DJI RAW images. These are the filters that I work with in Luminar 2018 and this will give you a starting place for your editing. You may also want to read my articles about LUTs and how to use them with your DJI Drone RAW Images. If you want to follow along then you will need to have Luminar 2018. Click here for Luminar 2018. On the right are the filters that I use in the video and for working with the DJI RAW files. I rarely use … [Read more...] about How to Create a Custom Workspace in Luminar 2018 for DJI RAW
Becoming a Better Drone Photographer: How to setup your DJI Drone Camera in Full Auto Mode
In this article, I am going to talk about how to set up the camera on your DJI drone using the Go 4 app in Full Auto Mode. In future articles, I will show you how to setup and use Aperture Preferred Mode and Full Manual Mode. I will be using screenshots from my Inspire 2. Your screen may look a little different, but the basics are the same. Preparation Do your initial setup inside. Be sure to remove the rotor blades from your drone before you begin. Start your remote, connect your tablet and start the Go 4 app Start your drone You … [Read more...] about Becoming a Better Drone Photographer: How to setup your DJI Drone Camera in Full Auto Mode
How to use LUTs, Luminar 2018 and RAW DJI to Perfect Drone Photos
This article is about how to use Luminar 2018 with LUTs, to edit your RAW DJI Drone Images (DNG). Using Luminar 2018 in conjunction with LUTs can be a great starting point for your DJI Drone RAW images, to help you create that look you want. I will be demonstrating this on a Mac. In the Windows world the process should be very similar. Want to know what the heck a LUT is? Click here. Follow along If you want to follow along then you will need to have Luminar 2018. You can download a trial version here. You will also need the DJI specific LUTs … [Read more...] about How to use LUTs, Luminar 2018 and RAW DJI to Perfect Drone Photos
Becoming a Better Drone Pilot-3 things that help batteries last longer
Here are three things you can do to help your drone batteries last longer. Note that these tips are for Lithium Polymer batteries (LiPo) with a focus on DJI Drones. Don’t charge your battery or batteries right after flying. Let them cool down first Land your drone when you reach 25-30% battery level Deep cycle your batteries every 10-20 hours of flight Taking good care of your batteries is very important. Why? If your drone has a single battery and you have a battery failure while flying, then the drone is going crash. … [Read more...] about Becoming a Better Drone Pilot-3 things that help batteries last longer
Becoming a Better Drone Pilot – The Preflight Checklist
There are a lot of things remember when you're flying a drone. If you're shooting video and/or photographs, then there are even more things to remember and set. Having a preflight checklist makes this much easier. Here are some of the things to check on the ground, prior to takeoff and immediately after takeoff, while in the air. Note that some of these options depend upon which drone you're flying. Remember that whether you are a recreational pilot or Part 107 commercial pilot, you are responsible for checking and setting up the drone so … [Read more...] about Becoming a Better Drone Pilot – The Preflight Checklist
Becoming A Better Drone Pilot, Part 4 – Learning To Fly With Precision & Confidence: ATTI Mode
Welcome to part 4. If you haven’t read and practiced Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this article, I recommend you do that before proceeding. You can find Part 1 here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here. Warning! You could crash your drone when practicing these maneuvers. Note: the Mavic Pro does not have ATTI mode on the Flight Mode Switch. ATTI mode is the most challenging mode to fly in because you’re no longer using GPS to lock the drone’s position. and there’s also no obstacle avoidance systems active in ATTI mode. That means it isn’t going to warn you if … [Read more...] about Becoming A Better Drone Pilot, Part 4 – Learning To Fly With Precision & Confidence: ATTI Mode
Becoming A Better Drone Pilot, Part 3 – Learning To Fly With Precision & Confidence
Welcome to part 3. If you haven’t read and practiced Part 1 and Part 2 of this article, I recommend you do that before proceeding. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Warning! You could crash your drone when practicing these maneuvers. That being said, don’t go into this practice thinking you’ll crash. Go slowly. Take your time. Don’t push faster than you’re able. And don’t let others push you beyond what you know are your limits! Preparation We are going to use the same preparations as in Part 1. You can review that here. At the … [Read more...] about Becoming A Better Drone Pilot, Part 3 – Learning To Fly With Precision & Confidence
Your First Phantom Drone: Part 3 – Settings and beginner drone photography
You have flown in beginner mode using GPS a few times and are getting comfortable with the controls. You can launch it yourself and bring it back home. You should be able to fly forward, backward and sideways. It is time to spread your wings and break out from the beginner mode. Using the DJI Go App, set the maximal altitude to no more than 120 meters or 400’ as required by the FAA. Micro SD cards It’s also time to take some photos. Make sure you have a micro SD card installed in the drone (hint: it goes in upside down). Through the DJI Go … [Read more...] about Your First Phantom Drone: Part 3 – Settings and beginner drone photography
Your First Phantom Drone – Part 2: Unboxing and Preparation
In Part 1, I wrote about buying a new or used drone and getting it registered. Now it’s time to unbox it and prepare for its maiden voyage. Here is an excellent YouTube tutorial from DetroitBORG called “DJI Phantom 4 Unboxing and Review”. I highly recommend watching this if you purchased a later model DJI Phantom. Hopefully, you have the sturdy Styrofoam box with carrying handle that it came in along with a set of 4 propeller blades and an extra set. Propellers, similar yet different In each set of propellers, there are two subtly different … [Read more...] about Your First Phantom Drone – Part 2: Unboxing and Preparation
Your First Phantom Drone: Part 1 – Getting Started
(Editor's note: Welcome Steve Eilenberg to Photofocus as a brand new author! In this series of articles, Steve covers what it takes to begin flying drones.) You’re starting to get bored putting your tripod down in the exact same spot as everyone else. Different equipment, light, time of day and season will make big differences, but with a drone, you’ve just broken out of that rut. Here’s how to get started. First, decide how much drone you can afford (and afford to lose). The DJI lineup is a good place to start your search. The DJI … [Read more...] about Your First Phantom Drone: Part 1 – Getting Started
MPB.COM Used Gear Specials ~ Week of November 13, 2017
Photofocus partner MPB.com is a great place to sell and buy used photographic equipment. Check out their clearance specials this week! Deals Here are links to the gear shown above: Canon 5DSr body Nikon D4s body Fuji XT-1 Graphite Edition body DJI Phantom 4 … [Read more...] about MPB.COM Used Gear Specials ~ Week of November 13, 2017
Knowing How To Fly In ATTI Mode Might Save Your Drone
Editor's Note: This is a guest post by Chris Anson. Check out his work right here. Here’s the challenge: Your drone can be flying along and all of a sudden you lose GPS signal or some other reason and your drone app tells you that it has changed to ATTI mode or it tells you that GPS mode is no longer working and tells you to switch to ATTI mode. What do you do? When this happens in an emergency situation and the pilot doesn’t have any experience in flying in ATTI mode, it often leads to crashes. What is ATTI Mode & Why is it … [Read more...] about Knowing How To Fly In ATTI Mode Might Save Your Drone
Gear Review: Udee Backpack–Surprisingly Good
This bag is simply called Udee, and the simplicity carries through the entire design and delivers a fine bag that will be very good for many photographers. It Looks Good The outer appearance of the Udee is pretty good. It's minimal and the fabric is very nice. Everyone who sees it asks me if it's a Peak Design bag: it has a similar kind of fabric and the slim design is reminiscent. The bottom of the bag is a little blunt, but overall it's a good looking bag. The gray fabric is highlighted with the orange grab handle and one orange … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Udee Backpack–Surprisingly Good
DJI’s Phantom 4: A Photographer’s Take
At least as much as anyone, I'm intrigued by drones. I've always wanted to be a pilot, I'm reading a book on the Wright Brothers right now, I fly every chance I get, and if I ever have a first born son, I'm torn between naming him Bernoulli or Orville. I'm crazy about flying, but I don't own a drone. However, the newest announcement from DJI certainly has me considering it more than I ever. I have three concerns that have kept me back from buying a drone, but the Phantom 4 seems to address them pretty well. 1. The Camera As much as I like … [Read more...] about DJI’s Phantom 4: A Photographer’s Take
10 Tips for New Drone Flyers
Drones are really a lot of fun once you safely learn to fly them. Here are a few important tips to help you get up and flying. I didn't list them in any particular order, so be sure to read through all of them before you get started. Know how to shut your drone off quickly! As youre learning to fly your drone, things can sometimes get out of control. The best thing to do is land the drone and shut it off. Practice just turning it on and off, without lifting it from the ground. Find a large, open area outside for your first flight. … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for New Drone Flyers
What Does the FAA’s New Drone Policy Mean to You?
I've put together a comprehensive look at the new drone registration policy. This full length course walks you through the why, when, and how. Seeing how steep the penalties are you may want to pay heed. Failure to register an aircraft may result in regulatory and criminal sanctions. ?The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years. The In-Depth Look If you fly a drone, quadcopter, model airplane, or UAS in the United States airspace, the Federal … [Read more...] about What Does the FAA’s New Drone Policy Mean to You?
How to Get Steady Shots from a Quadcopter
Are you interested in Quadcopters or already bought one? One of the most important options you can get is a gimbal (think of it as Image Stabilization). Gimbals allow you to rotate cameras in any direction, allowing the camera to stay horizontal even if the support is tipped. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr0fG2Coqao This tutorial is from Photofocus partner lynda.com. You can learn all about the advantages of shooting with one. Be sure to also check out the lynda.com 10 day trial so you can watch the full course and learn more about … [Read more...] about How to Get Steady Shots from a Quadcopter
Storytelling with a Drone
I bought my first drone last December. I learned to fly it reasonably well. I bought my second one in March. It had a camera and a first person view (FPV) monitor so I could compose my shot remotely. Over time I've learned a lot about flying, shooting and working with a GoPro Hero 3+ stills and footage. Periodically, I'll post here on Photofocus more about this tool available to photographers who want a higher point of view of scenes planes and choppers can't reach. Parts of a photo drone Modern drones are relatively inexpensive to buy and … [Read more...] about Storytelling with a Drone
More Thoughts and a Really Cool Video on Quadcopters
Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Matt Kloskowski who's a lead instructor at Photoshop World. You can take a class called Lights, Aerial Camera, Action! with Russell Brown at the conference. Last week, I posted some thoughts about the quad copters/drones that have become really popular lately. I mostly posted about how I personally didn't find them useful for landscape photography. This time, I wanted to post a few follow up thoughts. Look for Patterns Bill Fortney (amazing photographer, amazing guy, awesome friend of mine)shared … [Read more...] about More Thoughts and a Really Cool Video on Quadcopters
