Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Video credit: Kyle Martin Tech “GoPro Tips and Tricks”
Like other art disciplines that use modern tools, the technology used for photography and videography has certainly evolved. And one nifty gadget that both hobbyists and professionals have in their arsenal is a drone. This flying robot used to be employed exclusively for the military’s reconnaissance work but these days it is more accessible to ordinary folk. It’s becoming a fixture and weddings, sponsored events, and ad videos.
If you’ve purchased a drone, you certainly want to get great use out of it.
Here are some tips to ensure that you get great use out of it.
Wide open spaces
Flying a drone requires ample space so make sure to use it only in wide open spaces. Like a field or a clearing in the park or during a trip to the countryside. Steer clear of people, buildings, and generally crowded areas. Additionally, you want to keep drones away from animals as the appearance of this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could spook them out.
Start slow
You may not want to read the manual that came in the box with your drone. But you should. Reading the instructions allows you to be familiar with the gadget’s controls. Remember, that drone of yours isn’t cheap so crashing it won’t be ideal.
When you think you’ve gotten the hang of it, do a low-key test flight first. You can do this by hovering a few feet off the ground in an open space like your backyard. Try moving the drone forward and backward or you can make it go higher. Many of today’s drone’s have beginner-friendly features (i.e. being able to recognize and avoid obstacles) but it is still best if you learn the basics yourself.
Keep it in view
Flying a drone in wide open spaces also offer another advantage. It allows you keep the UAV in sight at all times. Obviously, you need to be able to see the UAV to know what it’s doing and in which direction its flying. You won’t be surprised by trees or billboards.
To ensure that your drone is visible, you should therefore avoid flying in the dark (or at night when there’s poor visibility) and in bad weather conditions. Having control over your drone at all times is important so that it can work effectively and not end up being a nuisance, or worse, a danger to others.
Finally you should make it a habit to perform maintenance checks on your UAV. Charge the battery and bring a spare. Check the propellers and make sure that the console is working properly.
