Aerial Photography Settings: How to Capture Stunning Photos with Your Drone

Capturing stunning aerial photography can be a great way to add depth and interest to your visual content. However, getting the right settings can be tricky, especially if you're new to aerial photography. In this post, we'll go over the settings that the pros use for shooting aerial photography.

First and foremost, we recommend shooting in single exposure DNG RAW files for excellent quality and a simple workflow. Our testing has shown that there isn't a significant improvement in image quality when shooting multiple exposures and HDR modes. The DNG RAW files from DJI drones do an excellent job preserving details in the highlights and the shadows of the image. Shooting in JPEG will limit your editing options, so always try to shoot in RAW if possible.

When it comes to camera settings, you have two options: manual or automatic mode. While manual mode can give you more control, we recommend shooting in automatic mode, as it typically delivers great results without much work on your part. If you're shooting RAW, you can adjust white balance in the editing process even if the camera didn't get it right when shooting.

One thing to remember is to keep an eye on your exposure. It's easier to bring up shadows than to recover highlight information that isn't there. During the shoot, adjust the AV settings to adjust your exposure up or down as needed.

Here's a quick overview of the settings we recommend for aerial photography:

• File type: Single exposure DNG RAW files
• Photo size aspect ratio: 4:3 (or 3:2 for the Mavic 2 Pro)
• Camera settings: Auto mode, auto white balance, normal color, and single photo shooting mode

If you make any additional adjustments, be sure to update your quick reference sheet for your settings. As always, if you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out. With these settings and some practice, you can capture stunning aerial photography that will make your content stand out.