Shoot surfing with a drone – chips and tricks

Shooting surfing with a drone can be an exciting and challenging endeavor. It allows you to capture dynamic footage from unique angles. Here are some tips to help you shoot surfing with a drone:

1. Check local regulations: Before you start, familiarize yourself with the local rules regarding drone flying. Ensure you can fly in the area and comply with any necessary permits or restrictions.
2. Choose the right drone: Select a drone suitable for aerial videography. Look for a drone with a stable flight platform, a good camera, and a decent battery life. In addition, ensure that it is capable of shooting high-resolution video footage.
3. Scout the location: Visit the surf spot beforehand to understand the layout, wave patterns, and potential obstacles. Identify safe takeoff and landing areas, and plan your flight paths accordingly.
4. Understand the conditions: Assess the weather conditions and ocean swells. It’s essential to fly the drone in favorable weather, avoiding strong winds, rain, or adverse conditions that might impact its stability or flight time.
5. Fly with caution: When flying the drone, maintain a safe distance from people, surfers, and other structures. Be mindful of other beachgoers and follow any guidelines or restrictions in place.
6. Use a visual observer: A dedicated visual observer can be immensely helpful. They can watch the drone while you focus on piloting and capturing footage. This person can also warn you of potential hazards or approaching surfers.
7. Set up your camera settings: Configure your drone’s settings for optimal footage. Use a high-resolution and high frame rate setting to capture smooth, detailed shots. Experiment with different camera angles and perspectives to add variety to your photos.
8. Plan your shots: Pre-plan the photos you want to capture, including tracking shots following surfers, wide aerial shots of the surf lineup, or close-ups of the waves. Consider using intelligent flight modes available on some drones, such as ActiveTrack or Follow Me, to track the surfers automatically.
9. Practice your piloting skills: It’s essential to practice flying your drone before attempting to shoot surfing. Familiarize yourself with the drone’s controls, responsiveness, and flight modes. Practice flying in open areas to build confidence and improve your piloting skills.
10. Edit and post-process: Once you have captured the footage, edit and post-process the clips to enhance the overall quality. Add music, trim unnecessary parts, and use color correction to make the footage visually appealing.

Remember, safety is crucial when flying a drone. Always follow local regulations, respect other beachgoers, and prioritize the well-being of yourself and others while capturing stunning surfing shots.

The Right Drone for Filming Surfing

Several factors must be considered when choosing a suitable drone for filming surfing. Here are some features and specifications to look for in a drone:

1. Stability and flight performance: Look for a drone with excellent stability and performance. This is crucial for smooth footage while dealing with winds and fast-moving subjects like surfers.
2. Camera quality: Opt for a drone with a high-quality camera that can capture crisp and detailed footage. Look for drones with at least 4K resolution and a suitable image sensor to ensure excellent image quality.
3. Gimbal stabilization: A gimbal is a crucial component that stabilizes the camera and reduces unwanted vibrations or shaky footage. Make sure the drone has a reliable gimbal system to achieve steady shots.
4. Flight time and battery life: Surfing sessions can be lengthy, so having a drone with a decent flight time is essential. Look for drones with longer flight times, or consider purchasing spare batteries to extend your shooting window.
5. Obstacle avoidance: Surfing locations can have obstacles like trees, rocks, or buildings. Having obstacle avoidance sensors on your drone can help prevent accidents and collisions.
6. Range and signal strength: Surfing often involves covering a wide area, so a drone with a good range and strong signal transmission is beneficial. This lets you maintain a reliable connection between the remote controller and the drone.
7. Intelligent flight modes: Some drones offer intelligent flight modes that can assist in capturing dynamic footage. Look for features like ActiveTrack, Follow Me, or Waypoint navigation to help you easily track and film surfers.
8. Portability and durability: Surfing often involves traveling to different locations, so having a portable drone that is easy to carry is advantageous. Additionally, choose a drone that is built with durability in mind, as it may encounter challenging conditions near the ocean.
9. FAA compliance: Ensure that the drone you choose complies with the regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the aviation authority in your country. This includes requirements for registration, pilot licensing, and other specific rules.

Some popular drone models known for their performance in aerial videography include the DJI Mavic series (Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic Air 2, etc.), DJI Phantom series, Autel Evo II, and the Skydio 2. Consider your budget and specific requirements, and read reviews to find the drone that best suits your needs for filming surfing.

The Drone Settings

When shooting surfing with a drone, optimizing the drone settings can help you capture the best possible footage. Here are some essential drone settings to consider:

1. Resolution and frame rate: Set your drone’s camera to the highest resolution (usually 4K or higher) to capture detailed footage. Additionally, adjust the frame rate to achieve smooth motion. Common options include 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps. Higher frame rates are ideal for slow-motion shots.
2. Shutter speed: Adjust the drone’s shutter speed to control motion blur. In well-lit conditions, use a faster shutter speed (1/1000th of a second or faster) to freeze the action and capture sharp images. You may need to lower the shutter speed in lower light conditions, but be cautious not to introduce excessive motion blur.
3. White balance: Set the white balance based on the lighting conditions. You can choose auto white balance or manually select a preset or custom white balance to ensure accurate colors in your footage.
4. Color profile: Some drones offer different color profiles, such as D-Log, CineStyle, or D-Cinelike. These profiles provide a flatter image, allowing for greater flexibility during post-processing. Experiment with other profiles to find the one that suits your style and workflow.
5. Metering mode: Most drones have options for metering modes, such as evaluative, center-weighted, or spot metering. Evaluative metering is often a good choice as it calculates the exposure based on the entire frame. However, you may need to adjust the exposure compensation if the lighting conditions vary significantly.
6. Focus: Drones with autofocus capabilities can help maintain a sharp focus on the subject. Ensure that the autofocus is enabled, or use manual focus, if available, to keep the surfers or waves in focus throughout the shots.
7. ND filters: Neutral Density (ND) filters can help control the light entering the camera, particularly in bright conditions. They help prevent overexposure and allow you to use slower shutter speeds for smoother motion. Consider using ND filters to maintain proper exposure while shooting surfing.
8. Intelligent flight modes: Some drones offer intelligent flight modes that can assist in capturing specific shots. For surfing, you might use ActiveTrack or Follow Me mode to track the surfers automatically. Please familiarize yourself with these modes and learn how to use them effectively.
9. Raw format: If your drone supports it, consider shooting in RAW format. RAW files retain more information and provide greater flexibility during post-processing. However, remember that RAW files require more storage space and may require additional processing time.

Remember to practice with your drone and experiment with different settings to find the optimal configuration for shooting surfing. Conditions may vary, so be prepared to adjust as needed during each session.

Where to Film From

When filming surfing with a drone, there are several vantage points you can choose from to capture dynamic and engaging footage. Here are some popular options:

1. Aerial perspective: One of the primary advantages of using a drone is the ability to film from above, providing an aerial perspective. This viewpoint allows you to showcase the entire surf lineup, capture the size and shape of the waves, and highlight the surfers’ movements. In addition, it can create visually stunning shots, especially when the water is crystal clear or exciting patterns in the waves.
2. Low-level shots: Flying the drone at a lower altitude near the water’s surface can provide an immersive and unique viewpoint. It lets you capture the action from a surfer’s perspective, creating a sense of speed and proximity. However, be cautious when flying low to avoid disturbing or endangering the surfers.
3. Tracking shots: Utilize the drone’s tracking capabilities to follow surfers as they ride the waves. This technique adds dynamism and showcases the surfer’s skills. Experiment with different angles and distances to capture exciting tracking shots from various perspectives.
4. Close-ups and detail shots: Get closer to the action by flying the drone closer to the surfers or waves. This lets you capture the details, expressions, and water spray as surfers maneuver through the waves. Ensure you maintain a safe distance and fly responsibly to avoid any accidents.
5. Overhead shots: Flying the drone directly above the surfers can create captivating top-down shots. This perspective provides a unique view of the surfers’ movements and can emphasize the patterns and shapes of the waves.
6. Point of interest shots: Select interesting landmarks or focal points near the surf spot to add context and visual interest to your footage. It could be cliffs, rock formations, piers, or other noteworthy features complementing the surfing action.

When choosing your filming location, consider the safety of the surfers, beachgoers, and yourself. Maintain a safe distance from people and adhere to local regulations. It’s also a good idea to communicate with the surfers and tell them you’ll fly a drone to ensure everyone is aware and comfortable.

Ultimately, the best perspective and location will depend on the specific surf spot, wave conditions, and your creative vision. Experiment with different angles, compositions, and movements to capture various shots and create a visually engaging surfing video.

The Altitude

The altitude at which you fly your drone when filming surfing will depend on the specific shot you want to achieve, the conditions, and any regulations or restrictions. Here are some considerations regarding altitude:

1. Aerial shots: For capturing wide aerial shots that showcase the surf lineup and the surrounding area, you’ll typically fly the drone at a higher altitude. This lets you capture a broader perspective and provide a sense of scale. However, be mindful of any altitude restrictions set by local regulations or airspace limitations.
2. Low-level shots: When aiming for more immersive shots or capturing the action from a surfer’s perspective, flying the drone at a lower altitude can be effective. This could mean flying just above the water’s surface or slightly higher to capture the surfers in action. Ensure you maintain a safe distance from the surfers and follow any local guidelines.
3. Safety considerations: While it’s tempting to fly the drone as high as possible to capture expansive views, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Maintain a safe distance from people, structures, and obstacles, and always comply with local regulations and restrictions. Remember that strong winds can affect the drone’s stability at higher altitudes.
4. Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different altitudes to achieve the desired shot. Test various heights and angles to find the sweet spot that captures the action and atmosphere engagingly.

Remember, the altitude you choose should prioritize the safety of people and adhere to regulations. Always fly responsibly and respect the privacy and comfort of surfers and beachgoers.

The Flying Techniques and the Best Angles

When filming surfing with a drone, utilizing various flying techniques and capturing shots from different angles can add visual interest and create engaging footage. Here are some flying methods and angles to consider:

1. Tracking shots: Follow the surfers as they ride the waves by using the tracking capabilities of your drone. This technique adds a sense of dynamism and allows you to capture the action up close—experiment with flying parallel to the surfers or tracking them from different angles to showcase their movements.
2. Orbiting shots: Fly the drone in a circular path around a point of interest, such as a surfer, a wave, or a group of surfers. This technique creates a dynamic and visually captivating shot, providing a 360-degree perspective of the subject.
3. Fly-through shots: Plan a flight path that takes the drone through the waves or close to surfers, creating a sense of immersion. This technique can be challenging and requires precision and careful maneuvering to avoid collisions. However, it can result in impressive and immersive footage when executed correctly.
4. Top-down shots: Position the drone directly above the surfers to capture top-down shots. This angle provides a unique and exciting perspective, emphasizing the patterns and movements in the waves. It can be particularly effective when the clear water lets you see through the waves to the surfers below.
5. Over-the-shoulder shots: Fly the drone slightly behind and to the side of a surfer to capture their ride from an over-the-shoulder perspective. This angle allows viewers to experience the ride with the surfer and provides a sense of their view.
6. Establishing shots: Capture wide-angle shots that showcase the entire surf lineup, the beach, and the surrounding environment. These shots provide context and set the scene for the surfing action. Experiment with different altitudes and angles to find the most visually appealing composition.
7. Close-ups and detail shots: Get closer to the action and focus on the surfers or specific elements like the spray of water, surfboard maneuvers, or facial expressions. This lets you capture the details and emotions, adding depth and intensity to your footage.

Remember to fly your drone responsibly and prioritize safety. Maintain a safe distance from people and objects, be mindful of weather conditions and flight restrictions, and always follow local regulations and guidelines. Practice your flying skills, experiment with different techniques and angles, and review your footage to improve your filming techniques.