First Drone Images - Baby Steps

[Mike Lewis]

So I have been out with my drone 3 or 4 times so far, and it has been a challenge to get anything I like. Yesterday was out with 2 other new drone owner friends between Cheyenne and Laramie flying around some big rock formations. The wind was challenging at first but died down, and we had a few quick moments when the sun popped out of the clouds.

I am still a complete novice when it comes to the video, even to the point of forgetting to turn video recording on during one of my best maneuvers yesterday. Yikes.

Here is a single image of the main rock formation we spent a fair amount of time with. Did a lot of practicing flying around and up closer to it, as well as over the top. This is processed to taste in Lightroom, and then also converted to B&W. I think I am a little partial to the B&W version but welcome input from others. No jaw dropping images yet, but gotta start posting stuff sometime so this is a start.

Original image

Black and White Treatment:

ML

 

[Ben Egbert]

Nice first go with the drone. I prefer the color version.

 

[AlanLichty]

I'd be happy to have shot this but then again I'd be happy to shoot anything at all with your new toy

 

[JimFox]

How fun Mike! I am glad you have been getting out with your Drone. There are some cool areas up there west of Cheyenne. What was the name of this place?

I like the B&W by a large margin. Both look a little soft, so maybe you need more sharpening with these drone images? @Jim Dockery gets his images sharp so I wonder if he is having to add extra sharpening in processing or if its a camera setting?

 

[Mike Lewis]

How fun Mike! I am glad you have been getting out with your Drone. There are some cool areas up there west of Cheyenne. What was the name of this place?

I like the B&W by a large margin. Both look a little soft, so maybe you need more sharpening with these drone images? @Jim Dockery gets his images sharp so I wonder if he is having to add extra sharpening in processing or if its a camera setting?

JIm,

Thanks for the tip. They do not look too soft at full rez, but I will take a more critical look (since I am a sharpness freak ) and see what I think.

ML

 

[TimMc]

Mike-great start. As you experiment look for different functions on your drone. You might, depending on brand, find options for tripod mode, multiple image merge either hdr or panorama, or even multi focus merge. good luck

Remember, it’s for fun. Enjoy it

 

[Jeffrey]

The BW rocks! Great subject to safely practice around. So many possible angles and views 360 degrees.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Mike-great start. As you experiment look for different functions on your drone. You might, depending on brand, find options for tripod mode, multiple image merge either hdr or panorama, or even multi focus merge. good luck

Remember, it’s for fun. Enjoy it

Tim,

appreciate the suggestions. There are some cool modes in the Evo 2 Pro - I am still going through them and getting acquainted. Lots to learn for sure.

ML

 

[Jim Dockery]

Great first drone post - I really like the B&W. When I opened I didn't notice any softness.

My advice, learned the hard way, is to go slow and careful when getting into shooting video. The closer to something you fly by the cooler it looks, but really watch out for sideways or backwards. Even with sensors you are always taking a risk when you can't see on the screen where the drone is going. Having a spotter who has LOS on the drone to warn you would be great, but if you are like me you won't have that. It might also be tempting to turn off the object avoidance to get closer, or fly through an opening, but I wouldn't do that until you have lots of air time. After a few crashes I've refocused most of my drone work on photography, which isn't as exciting but much safer!