Appendix D — Drone Photography Cheat Sheet

Best Lighting Times

Golden Hour

• Sunrise
• Sunset

Benefits:

• Soft light
• Warm color
• Long shadows
• Better texture

Common Cinematic Shots

Reveal Shot

Hide then reveal scenery gradually.

Orbit Shot

Circle around a subject smoothly.

Pull-Away Shot

Move backward to reveal scale.

Tracking Shot

Follow a moving subject.

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Composition Tips

Use:

• Rule of thirds
• Leading lines
• Symmetry
• Foreground elements
• Negative space

Camera Tips

Photography

• Shoot RAW when possible
• Keep ISO low
• Watch histogram exposure

Video

• Use ND filters
• Fly slowly
• Keep movements smooth
• Maintain consistent frame rates

Common Mistakes

Avoid:

• Flying too high
• Overediting footage
• Fast jerky movement
• Shooting only at midday
• Ignoring foreground composition