Working in the “Run and Gun” style television industry, it is important that I can get excellent quality cinematic drone footage to compliment the shots I get from my other cameras. I work for an outdoor and adventure TV show that produces a thirty-minute episode weekly, so I get to film with my drone often. With the high amount of skilled drone pilots, quality cameras, and volumes of videos being posted online, audiences have grand expectations. Here are my focus points for making sure that I am getting Cinematic footage when using my Drone: - Have a plan – Even if it is a loose one, it is important to be able to think ahead about how your shot is going to look. - Get to know your equipment – adjust it to your desired style to get smooth video -   Understand the fundamentals of video – get to know what effects changing aperture, frames per second and shutter speed will have. - Learn to shoot on manual – although many drones have excellent automatic settings, it can b...

I love photography and I'm considering buying a drone to take cinematic footage. I'm mostly interested in natural landscapes generally far away from cities. In order to make an informed decision I'm going through all the resources relative to the regulations and restrictions currently enforced in UK, especially for the 250g+ category, and I have a few questions. My first question is about keeping the drone always in your LoS. Now at first I thought that it was about some reasonable request of keeping the drone under your control, since the direction of flying can be different from the frame that is streamed to your controller/phone etc... But to my understanding the rules are quite literal in always keeping LoS, and if the pilot so much sneeze or the drone goes behind a tree for a split second, he is in open violation of the code and should be fined and/or jailed for his irresponsible behaviour. Is my understanding of the LoS rules correct? More to that, footage like this ...

Drone photography has taken the world by storm, allowing photographers to capture breathtaking aerial images from unique perspectives. As the popularity of this art form grows, a myriad of tools and apps have been developed to help photographers improve their skills and streamline their workflow. In this article, we’ll delve into the 10 best drone apps that every drone photographer should have in their arsenal, explaining their uses and benefits to assist you in taking your aerial photography to new heights. 1. DJI GO 4- Free DJI GO 4 is the official app for older DJI drones like the Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic 2; the app offers an extensive range of features that enable easy control, live video transmission, and data management. With intelligent flight modes, customisable camera settings, and real-time flight data, this app is a must for anyone using one of the older DJI models. DJI GO 4 offers a built-in photo editor, allowing users to fine-tune their images and share them directly fro...

The fascinating and challenging field of wildlife photography has been revolutionized by drone technology, providing new opportunities to capture stunning images of the natural world. However, the use of drones for wildlife photography also presents unique challenges and ethical considerations. In this blog post, we will explore how to choose a suitable drone for wildlife photography, the importance of ethical practices, best practices to minimize the impact of drone usage on animals and their habitats, drone accessories, photography techniques, and building a portfolio. Choosing the Right Drone for Wildlife Photography When selecting the ideal drone for wildlife photography, it’s important to consider camera quality, flight performance, noise reduction features, and automated flight modes. Here, we discuss four popular drone models, each with unique strengths and capabilities suited for capturing stunning images and videos of wildlife. DJI Mavic 3 The DJI Mavic 3 is a highly versatile...

Greetings, fellow drone aficionados; since I first penned this article a few years back, the landscape of sub-250g drones has evolved dramatically. These lightweight flying marvels have soared to new heights in popularity and innovation, with an ever-expanding array of options available. After immersing myself in extensive research and personally experiencing the thrill of piloting some of these compact wonders, I’m delighted to present an updated version of my article showcasing the best drones under 250g for 2023 . Buckle up and prepare to be amazed! Why Should You Buy A Drone Under 250g? Drones under 250g are very popular among casual flyers, drone enthusiasts and even professionals. There are many reasons why drones in the sub-250g category are popular. Some these reasons include the following: - Regulatory benefits:  In many countries, drones weighing more than 250 grams are subject to stricter regulations and registration requirements. By choosing a drone under this weight li...

SAN DIEGO, July 26, 2016 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) autonomous Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) surpassed 200,000 flight hours, reinforcing its status as the most effective high altitude, long endurance intelligence gathering aircraft in the world. The U.S. Air Force's Global Hawks logged 88 percent of the 200,000 flight hours with the remaining hours flown by NASA Global Hawks, Germany's Full Scale Demonstrator and the Navy's broad area maritime surveillance aircraft systems. Global Hawks operate at altitudes up to 60,000 feet for more than 30 hours, surveying thousands of square miles on a single mission. Global Hawk carries a variety of sensor payloads that allow military commanders to gather near real-time imagery and use radar to detect moving or stationary targets on the ground. The system also provides airborne communications and information sharing capabilities to military units in harsh environments. "Global Hawk has set enduran...

ROCK Robotic’s third generation LiDAR Read or listen to all of the headlines in one place: excerpts from the DRONELIFE drone news of the week ending April 28, 2023.  Click on the titles below for the full story. Continue reading below, or listen : ROCK Robotic , a developer of professional survey-grade LiDAR technology, has announced the launch of the R3 and R3 PRO systems , its latest in LiDAR mapping solutions. The R3 product line incorporates advanced hardware components within a lightweight, integrated 3D point cloud collection tool. The R3 is an intuitive, end-to-end LiDAR solution that will integrate into ROCK Robotic’s comprehensive LiDAR approach. Drone Detection: AeroDefense Launches Low Cost, Low Profile Remote ID Receiver AeroDefense  has announced Remote ID integration for its AirWarden™ drone and pilot detection system, as well as the new AirWarden Remote ID Receiver : a compact and affordable Remote ID broadcast receiver. Under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Remote...

Cancun is a resort city overlooking the Caribbean Sea on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico with nightlife, high-rise hotels, restaurants, and shopping. You’d love to get caught up in the fun and excitement of Cancun and capture some priceless memories on your drone. Can you fly a drone in Cancun? You can fly a drone in Cancun, but you must follow the Agencia Federal de Aviacion Civil’s drone laws. Mexico restricts its licenses to Mexican-born citizens, which can leave foreigners in a pickle. This go-to guide will provide all the information you need on using a drone in Cancun, from how to bring your drone into Mexico and what to do with it when you get there. Make sure you keep reading, as you won’t want to miss it! Bringing a drone to Mexico You’re all packed up and ready to go on your tropical getaway to Cancun. The only thing you haven’t packed yet is your drone, as you’re not sure if you can take it with you to Mexico. You shouldn’t have any trouble transporting your dro...

AUVSI recently hosted their annual Hill Day , an opportunity for drone industry stakeholders to gather and meet policy makers, face to face.  In this DRONELIFE Exclusive, one attendee’s summary and takeaways. Continue reading below, or listen: The following is a guest post   by Matt Sloane, CEO and Founder of Skyfire Consulting and Atlanta Drone Group .   DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payments for guest posts. Dispatches from Capitol Hill As I walked down First Street in Washington, DC towards the marble US Capitol building, past the Supreme Court and blooming cherry blossom trees, it hit me. So many of us think the work of building the drone industry occurs in dusty parking lots and smoky fire scenes; when in fact, the real work of building an industry takes place in these hallowed halls. Our technology is pretty good; our will to do good is even greater, but without the support of regulators and lawmakers, it cannot live up to its full potential. It is for that ...

You never leave home without your drone, but in your experience, you’ve sometimes hit snags when transporting it from one country to another. You’re currently in Dubai and interested in bringing your drone from there to India. Can I bring a drone from Dubai to India? You cannot bring a drone from Dubai to India due to updates to India’s importation policy. Only R&D and military can take drones into the country. This guide will provide lots of handy information so you can logistically determine how to travel with a drone. Whether you live in Dubai and wish to expand your horizons or you travel a lot, you can’t miss this article! Can you bring a drone from Dubai to India? The rules for importing drones to India from Dubai or elsewhere on the globe were always tough to get by. You either needed permission or had to transport a drone weighing 250 grams.  However, in February 2022, India revised its importation policy to make it even more difficult. The Indian Trade Cla...