Here is a link to my blog post which covers how to create Dolly Zoom (Vertigo Effect). Creating the Dolly Zoom with the Mavic Pro
What is a “Dolly Zoom?”
A dolly zoom is a visual effect created by manipulating a camera’s zoom as the camera itself is moved backwards or forwards. This causes an other-worldly “warp” in the video that can look very appealing in your videos if applied correctly.
Can I use the dolly zoom effect with the DJI Mavic Pro?
Yes and no. Unfortunately, the Mavic Pro is not equipped with optical zoom and the existing digital zoom is incremental, that is, it zooms in by increments of one tenth. This does not allow for a smooth dolly zoom. The good news is that there is a way to get around this problem. Using a video editor such as Filmora, you can create the dolly effect by adding a post-production zoom to your video. Howbeit, this zoom is of course digital, but since the Mavic Pro can shoot in 4k, the digital zoom will have little affect on the quality up until 1080p quality is surpassed.
How do I create this effect using a video editor?
In the below video, I give a short demonstration using Filmora 9. The process is the same with most video editors.
When your initial shot moves forward, you will need the zoom’s start frame to be smaller and positioned in the middle of the shot, directly centered on the point at which the camera is flying. The zoom’s end frame will need to be positioned to cover the whole initial frame. See below for an example.
Likewise, if the camera is moving backwards during the shot, you will need to position the start frame over the entire initial shot and place a smaller end frame in the center of the initial shot.
How should I take the initial shot?
The original shot should be directed in one direction; away or towards the subject. The subject must be centered in the frame or the resulting finished shot will amplify the degree at which the subject is off-centered. The dolly zoom effect is great for creating an epic scene in which there is a particular subject (i.e. a mountain or a hiker standing on the peak of a mountain) that is standing primarily by itself. Having the subject stand by itself allows for a more obvious movement in the background while keeping the subject relatively or completely still.