Have only done 30 or so flights. Think I’m doing pretty well with the learning curve. I’m having a hard time with arial photography though. I really don’t understand settings and such. Most all my pictures come out super dark. I have YouTubed videos and still have issues. I’m sure it’s user error and not the equipment. Are there any decent “for dummies” guides on camera settings or how to use them?

I’m also learning that head winds at altitude are bad. Launched on Sunday and went up 400ft to get shots of a alpine glacier. Winds blew drone way off course and I had a hard time getting it back. Got it with no issues except a bit of anxiety of possibly losing it.  It seems to fly slow in the normal settings and barely made a dent in the headwinds

First photo is the Glacier with auto settings. Second is launch and where the winds pushed. Launched from the red area which was a parking lot as seen in last picture.

You need to do quite a bit of editing with stills in post - these are good shots though

Okay, so I have been doing post editing. Just didn’t know if that is the norm.  I’m not photographically inclined and it’s a learning curve for me.

A CW Posted at 2018-6-12 10:38
You need to do quite a bit of editing with stills in post - these are good shots though

This was post editing. The day was really gloomy with a bit of rain.

Never use auto settings.  Keep ISO 100 and manually adjust your Exposure to at most 0.  I find that -0.7 works really well and is always easier to fix under exposed images as over exposed there is no fixing.  Turn on exposure lines in the app so you can see what parts of the photo/video will be over exposed as you want to avoid this.  For stills no need but for video you really need some ND filters especially for snow where parts are going to be really bright.  

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-12 10:42
This was post editing. The day was really gloomy with a bit of rain.

Just had a play with this myself. Look at the contour of the mountain top - there is a lot of distortion. Basically, the shot is under exposed. Which drone was this taken with?

Took the liberty of touching it up a little. I have been using Photo Director 8 recently, very user friendly.

Your original



After some correction

A CW Posted at 2018-6-12 10:47
Just had a play with this myself. Look at the contour of the mountain top - there is a lot of distortion. Basically, the shot is under exposed. Which drone was this taken with?

[view_image]

I have a Mavic Platinum. It’s the bundle that Costco sells.

SparksBird Posted at 2018-6-12 10:47
Never use auto settings.  Keep ISO 100 and manually adjust your Exposure to at most 0.  I find that -0.7 works really well and is always easier to fix under exposed images as over exposed there is no fixing.  Turn on exposure lines in the app so you can see what parts of the photo/video will be over exposed as you want to avoid this.  For stills no need but for video you really need some ND filters especially for snow where parts are going to be really bright.

That’s where I get confused on the terms. Over/under. It’s all new to me.

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-12 11:29
That’s where I get confused on the terms. Over/under. It’s all new to me.

Over exposed means it will be all white(too much light) and you lose out on the colors at that point and cannot be fixed post process.  Under exposed means not enough light but depending on how much the color is still there and can be brought out post process.  So just keep your settings manual for exposure/ISO.  Then turn the wheel till you get to between -0.7 and 0.  And also ensure you have the overexposure zebra lines turned on because that will show you any parts that are overexposed(non-fixable).  

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-12 11:28
I have a Mavic Platinum. It’s the bundle that Costco sells.

Nice drone.
ISO: 100
shutter speed: doesn't matter too much with photos - the key is to get the exposure value at -0.7 to 0. Anything higher or lower and you will experience exposure issues.
ND filters are not important with photography as they are obviously still images requiring no control over motion blur (except long exposures that's more advanced stuff).
The light plays a huge part in photos. The histogram is your best tool to use.
You want a nice mix of lights and darks and ensure your white balance (kelvin scale) is set too - don't have that on auto. 'Cloudy' for this scene would be best.
Sharpness, contrast and saturation is dependent on the scenery, light conditions and want you need to capture.
The gimbal pitch position is also a major factor in controlling light.
This is a difficult scene to capture due to the cloudless, white sky and the reflective snow from the mountains with a dark foreground.
My main concern with the photo I quickly edited for you is the distortion - that can be a problem with the drone.
Reset the camera in the app and reconfigure your camera settings. The key is to take lots of shots and practice. Use AEB to let the drone take 3 or 5 images at different exposures and see what you like the most.

Sorry forgot to mention white balance is also important.  I keep mine manual and typically keep it at between 6300-6700 normally at 6500.  Here is a video that may help you a bit.  A tip though it is easiest to adjust your exposure using the wheel instead of doing it using the settings.  This way you can check if it is between EV -0.7 and 0.  

Thanks for all the tips. It helps. I’ll be playing more with it this weekend. I have a hike I want to do to a Glacier but need decent weather as it gets super windy at it.

A CW Posted at 2018-6-12 11:38
Nice drone.
ISO: 100
shutter speed: doesn't matter too much with photos - the key is to get the exposure value at -0.7 to 0. Anything higher or lower and you will experience exposure issues.

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-12 12:04
Thanks for all the tips. It helps. I’ll be playing more with it this weekend. I have a hike I want to do to a Glacier but need decent weather as it gets super windy at it.

Download the app called UAV forecast.  Great at showing conditions.  

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-12 12:06

No worries - we're all learning and asking for more ideas will only make your photography better. Good luck with it and be sure to post more of your stills. There is no such thing as a bad photo IMO as every still shows the effort being made. Keep it up.

Here is a few I took a few weeks ago.

Photography is rather easy when you spend some time with it.
But at first all the new terminology is overwhelming.
Especially when you have a $$$ bird that is carrying your little camera and you need to focus on flying that thing also.

Now let's start with the photography.
The Mavic Pro is a 'medicore' camera, so you need to have good light and little contrast to make the most out of it.
Your subjects are very high on contrast (white show, dark rocks), that won't help when you use the Mavic's little sensor (even expensive DSLR's will have some trouble with this).
So no shame on you at all. This is tough with Mavic.
What I like to do with the MP is this:
- Shoot RAW only (dng), that will require post processing, but it gives you the most options in post.
- Make sure your profile is 'flat' (looks dull, but again, you get the most options in post)
- Get your histogram on the screen and make sure you do not hit the right part (that is all white) because you can never recover all white parts)

To learn the basic technical stuff, I would advice to put the Mavic on the table (outdoor) or something and start taking pictures without worrying about the flying part.
I don't have a 'how to for dummies' ready,  but I'm sure there are more video's on youtube on this topic than you can watch in a lifetime.
Transfer your pictures to a PC and see if the outcome is good.
Test other settings and so on.

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-12 12:52
Here is a few I took a few weeks ago.

The top one is great for Mavic Pro.
Low on contrast.
The lower one is harder for Mavic Pro. Very high on contrast.
You can do that, but it is hard for the camera of Mavic Pro.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-6-12 23:57
Photography is rather easy when you spend some time with it.
But at first all the new terminology is overwhelming.
Especially when you have a $$$ bird that is carrying your little camera and you need to focus on flying that thing also.

Thanks for all the input and feedback.

TX99517 Posted at 2018-6-15 12:03
Thanks for all the input and feedback.

You're welcome. If you have any questions: let me (us) know

SparksBird Posted at 2018-6-12 11:43
Sorry forgot to mention white balance is also important.  I keep mine manual and typically keep it at between 6300-6700 normally at 6500.  Here is a video that may help you a bit.  A tip though it is easiest to adjust your exposure using the wheel instead of doing it using the settings.  This way you can check if it is between EV -0.7 and 0.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnKkCPDfp-4

That's a good tutorial mate