Camera drones have become small, stable and surprisingly easy to fly. With a little preparation, your first flight can also produce your first great aerial photo.
Before you fly
- Check the local rules. Many countries require you to register your drone, pass a short online test or stay away from airports, crowds and certain parks. Rules change, so check your aviation authority's website before every new location.
- Charge everything: drone batteries, the controller and your phone.
- Update the firmware at home, not in the field.
Your first flight
Choose an open space with no people, trees or power lines and a calm day with little wind. Take off, hover at eye level for a minute and get used to how the sticks respond. Practise flying forward and back, then slow turns. Modern drones like the Novacam SkyView Drone hold their position on their own and can return home with one tap if you lose orientation.
Shooting better footage
- Fly slowly: smooth, slow movements look far more cinematic than fast ones.
- Film in the golden hours after sunrise and before sunset for soft, warm light.
- Use follow mode to track a bike or a walker without touching the sticks.
On the ground too
For action you can't film from the air, a waterproof action camera like the Novacam Action 4K captures the view from the handlebars, the board or under the water.