Capturing a bird’s eye view of a landscape or cityscape allows you to see the world from above, giving you a unique perspective and capturing expansive vistas. There are a few key ways to capture a bird’s eye view in photography:
Use a drone or remote controlled aircraft
One of the most common ways photographers and videographers capture bird’s eye views today is by using drones. Drones allow you to easily fly a camera high above the ground to photograph or film from above. The advantage of drones is that you can maneuver them to compose your bird’s eye shots and capture unique perspectives. Just make sure the area you want to fly in permits drone use and follow all local drone laws.
Shoot from a high vantage point
Before drones, photographers would have to find natural or man-made high vantage points to photograph from above. Some options for elevated shooting positions include:
– The upper floors or rooftops of tall buildings
– Hills, cliffs or mountain ridges overlooking a landscape
– The open door or window of an airplane or helicopter
– A crane or boom lift
– A bridge, observation deck or elevated platform
The key is to find a position that allows you to safely shoot from multiple stories up to get the bird’s eye effect.
Use an aerial camera mount
Specialized aerial camera mounts like gyroscopically stabilized camera rigs allow you to capture smooth, sweeping bird’s eye footage from a helicopter or airplane. The gyroscopes counteract the natural movement and vibration of the aircraft, steadying your aerial shots. Professional photographers and cinematographers use these expensive rigs to film movies, commercials and other projects requiring breathtaking aerial cinematography.
Framing and composing bird’s eye photos
Once you’ve reached a high vantage point, there are some compositional techniques that can enhance your bird’s eye images:
Lead with interesting foreground elements
Don’t just take a straight, flat overhead shot. Angle your camera so interesting foreground elements like buildings, bridges, boats or trees appear at the bottom or sides of the frame to create depth and give scale to massive landscapes.
Use leading lines
Roads, train tracks, fences and rivers naturally draw viewers into an image. Use linear elements to create dynamic compositional lines in your aerial shots.
Frame with shapes and patterns
Patterned fields, winding roads and geometric building arrangements become abstract art from above. Explore different ways to frame landscapes using repetitive shapes and textures.
Focus on clusters and communities
Try capturing communities of houses, neighborhoods or networks of streets fanning out to show expansive development and human habitat patterns.
Choosing the best light conditions
The type of light you shoot in dramatically impacts the look of aerial photography:
Golden hour
The warm glow of sunrise or late afternoon sunset bathes landscapes in beautiful golden tones from above. LowerContrast light at the magic hour enhances aerial detail.
Daylight
Crisp, direct midday light gives an aerial view clinical clarity. But shadows and high contrast can obscure some details.
Night
Aerial light trails at night create an otherworldly, sci-fi feeling. You’ll need a drone or gyro rig capable of smooth, long exposures.
Overcast
Cloudy, diffused light is perfect for aerials, reducing shadows and allowing clear views across the landscape.
Editing tips for bird’s eye photos
Post-processing your aerial shots helps balance perspectives, enhance details and colors:
Lens correction
Wide angle drone or aerial lenses can distort scenes. Use lens correction tools to eliminate barrel distortion and straighten lines.
Polarizing filter
A polarizer reduces haze and enhances saturation in blue skies. You can apply the effect in post.
Graduated filter
Darken overly bright skies with a graduated filter effect to balance exposure across the frame.
Texture and clarity
Bump up texture and clarity sliders to make details like roads, trees and terrain crisper.
Scale effects
Add scale to vast landscapes using miniature effect filters to make scenes look like tiny model dioramas.
Safety tips
When pursuing aerial photography, prioritize safety with these precautions:
Check regulations
Research local laws, obtain permits and follow drone regulations. Avoid restricted airspace.
Scout locations
Scope out your aerial shooting spot in advance for potential hazards like power lines and tall structures.
Use a spotter
Have an assistant help monitor your drone to avoid collisions and watch for potential risks.
Mind weather conditions
Gusty winds and precipitation create dangerous drone flying conditions. Check forecasts.
Go low and slow
Fly conservatively under 400 feet at slower speeds to maintain control. Stay far from people, animals and property.
Visually track your drone
Keep eyes on your drone at all times. Don’t solely rely on drone camera feeds to avoid crashes.
Conclusion
Aerial photography opens up a unique world of photographic possibilities. By using drones, aerial camera mounts, and high vantage points, you can capture stunning bird’s eye perspectives of the world below. Pay close attention to composition, lighting conditions, and post-processing to create compelling aerial images. And prioritize safety with careful flight planning and smart piloting. The view from above has never looked better.