I’ve been a landscape photographer for several years now. So, I try all sorts of different landscape photography techniques as I can. I still plan on expanding my skills out further. Lately, however, I finally tried a piece of equipment which I’ve wanted to try for a while. I finally attempted landscape photography with a drone. Here’s the story of my drone flight experience.
Thanks to certain laws in place, I chose my location carefully. The National Park Service forbids the use of drones on any federal land they regulate and oversee. With so many NPS sites around here, my options were limited. I wasn’t about to send a drone out over Bryce Canyon or Cedar Breaks. That’s a good way to lose a good piece of equipment.
Just to be clear, I didn’t use my own drone. I don’t own one yet. This drone was borrowed. As such, the owner came with me to fulfill certain other legal requirements regarding his drone.
After arriving at our chosen destination, I received a basic rundown on drone operations. I needed to know how to fly it properly if I wanted to succeed. I had no illusions about taking a perfect gallery-hanger landscape photo with unfamiliar equipment. Still, I wanted to try it out. I’m told I took to the controls quickly.
I avoided the surface of the reservoir as I didn’t want to ruin the drone that way. Instead, I sent it out high over the surface while still in my view. Eventually, I decided to try a shot of the dam and the landscape in the background. I sent the drone even higher for the proper angle. Then, I operated the camera remotely using the controller. With some tweaking, both of us lined up a decent view of the landscape.
It’s not perfect. I’ll want another drone flight attempt once I learn more of the drone operations better. Still, I think it’s decent for a first attempt at drone photography. It truly is a bird’s-eye view. What do you think? Should I do more of this when I get the chance? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
