Water from above
Amit Sharma
| 13-03-2024
· Art Team
Hello, are you a camera bug? Do you like taking cameras to the skies with drones?
Whether you're an aspiring photographer or just looking for some cool tips. This one's for you. So, buckle up as we dive into the magical world of aerial water photography.

1. The Dance of Reflection:

Imagine the sun playing peek-a-boo with the water, creating a dance of light and shadow. The key to mastering this dance? Remembering the golden rule of photography: "The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection." In simpler terms, if the sun beams down on the water at a 45° angle from the left, it bounces off at the same angle to the right.
To avoid getting blinded by glare when flying your drone, you've got to find that sweet spot where your drone sees the beauty without the glare. And when the sun's high up at noon, aim for a low angle shot to catch that perfect reflection without the sun's mirror image.

2. The Moment of Serenity:

Picture this: a calm morning by the lake, everything's still, and the world feels at peace. That's your golden hour for capturing reflections. But, watch out! A gentle breeze can turn that mirror-like water into a ripple mess, blurring your perfect shot. Timing is everything – wait for that still moment when nature holds its breath.

3. The Flow of Time:

Ever wanted to capture the silky smoothness of a waterfall or the rugged beauty of ocean waves? Play around with your shutter speed. Slowing it down can turn moving water into a smooth, dreamy veil, while speeding it up freezes the action, making every splash and wave crisp and clear. It's all about capturing the essence of movement in a way that feels right to you.

4. Shine the Light Right:

Here's a common puzzle: your aerial shot has beautifully exposed water, but your subject, say a boat, is overexposed. The trick is to adjust your exposure to focus on your main subject. Either tweak the exposure compensation or switch to manual mode to get the lighting just right. It's all about finding that balance.

5. Clarifying the Waters:

Ever marvel at how crystal-clear the water looks in some photos? That's the magic of post-processing. Tools like Adobe Lightroom have features to enhance clarity, making underwater features pop and giving water that irresistible clear look.

6. The Color Palette of Water:

Not happy with the water's hue in your shot? Dive into color correction. Humans are naturally drawn to the soothing blues and greens of water, but sometimes, you might want to dial down the saturation for a more subtle effect. It's your canvas, after all.

7. Shadows Beneath the Surface:

Clear waters offer a unique opportunity to capture shadows from above, adding depth and intrigue to your shots. Whether it's a boat, a swimmer, or something else, enhancing these shadows in post-processing can turn a good photo into a great one.
Drones have opened up a new dimension of creativity, allowing us to see the world from breathtaking new perspectives. Seize this opportunity to explore, imagine, and create. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with these tips in your arsenal, you're well on your way to capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of water from above. Happy flying!