Tips to Improve your Aerial Cinematography: Sponsored Sticky

[PolarPro]

Hey Guys!
I wanted to share a couple ways you can improve your aerial videos/photos. Most of this info is for pilots just starting out, but hopefully everyone can take something away from it.


1. Keep Your Lens and Filters Clean

This one seems obvious but it is important. I check my lens and filter before each flight


2. Time of Day

The best time to capture epic footage is to film an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset, during these times the light is less harsh and will yield stunning videos.


3. Using Filters

Neutral density filters are used to reduce your cameras shutter speed. A general rule in cinematography is to have your shutter speed at double your frame rate. For example, when shooting at 30fps you want shutter at 1/60th which will yield a smooth cinematic look. This rule of cinematography is also called the “180 degree rule of shutter” for those of you who would like to read up on it. At PolarPro we manufacture a wide range of Mavic Filters that will help you achieve slower shutter speeds.

PolarPro | DJI Mavic Filters


4. How to Select the Right Filter

The goal you are trying to achieve with video is double your frame rate. If you are not familiar with f-stops and exposure, fear not, we have developed a free app that calculates all this for you:

IOS: Filter Calculator on the App Store

Andriod: Filter Calculator - Android Apps on Google Play


5. When Possible Shoot Away from the Sun

Shooting at the sun can be very tricky and often lead to severely under-exposed or over-exposed images and video. If I am shooting a subject, I always try to move the aircraft into a spot where the sun is behind the camera.


6. Smooth Gimbal Movements

Flying the Mavic in sport mode is really fun, it’s hard not to fly it like a fighter jet. However, if you are trying to create a cinematic composition, you need to slow it down. Try to move the gimbal smoothly and pan slowly, the slower the movements the better (you can always speed it up in post).


7. Manual vs Auto Mode

A common question we get is which mode to shoot in with our filters. The answer: whatever mode you are most comfortable with. Manual mode will lock your shutter speed which is perfect when you want it to be EXACTLY double frame rate. The drawback is that if exposure changes in the air you will need to use the EV comp to balance it, or else correct it in post. Have no idea what any of that means? Shoot in Auto, when you shoot in Auto the processor will keep your shutter speed CLOSE to double shutter, and you will not need to make any changes in post.


Hopefully this is helpful for some of you! Happy filming,


Jeff from PolarPro

www.polarprofilters.com

 

[Lees23]

I appreciate you being an approved vendo. I see a lot of ppl advertising their products that aren't vendors. I am guessing that this is against the rules.

I am in the market for filters and will more than likely buy Polar Pro one, of several, reasons is the fact that you have taken the necessary steps to be a vendor.

 

[notoriouskeef]

I just ordered a set from you today. I have a dumb question. Do people use filters for photographs or are they strictly video?

 

[PolarPro]

I just ordered a set from you today. I have a dumb question. Do people use filters for photographs or are they strictly video?

Thats a great question, and thank you very much for the order.

Answer: Yes, I use them all the time for photos, here is what the filters will do:

Polarizers: They will increase contrast and color saturation, while also reducing glare.

NDs: Natively the Mavic's shutter speed is very high, what this means in photos is the image will be very very sharp. Using a Neutral density filter for photos can help soften edges and even create a blur-motion if you use a strong enough one.

I personally use the ND8/PL or the ND16/PL most often for my photos. When I am trying to get shutter very low I use the ND32.

Hope that helps!
Jeff

 

[notoriouskeef]

Thank you very much for the help

 

[notoriouskeef]

I have nothing but good things to say about the customer service I have received!

 

[Figbar]

Polar Pro Filters...do these need to be put on the camera after the craft is started and the gimbal has initialized? Or can they be put on the camera before turning the craft on?

 

[Lees23]

Polar Pro Filters...do these need to be put on the camera after the craft is started and the gimbal has initialized? Or can they be put on the camera before turning the craft on?

The most recent series can be left on.

 

[Figbar]

The most recent series can be left on.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Viper]

Thanks for the info!

Ordered your DJI Mavic Filter Professional 6-Pack
I currently use filters for my videography so these are a must.

 

[SteelFlyer]

Hey Guys!
I wanted to share a couple ways you can improve your aerial videos/photos. Most of this info is for pilots just starting out, but hopefully everyone can take something away from it.


1. Keep Your Lens and Filters Clean

This one seems obvious but it is important. I check my lens and filter before each flight


2. Time of Day

The best time to capture epic footage is to film an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset, during these times the light is less harsh and will yield stunning videos.


3. Using Filters

Neutral density filters are used to reduce your cameras shutter speed. A general rule in cinematography is to have your shutter speed at double your frame rate. For example, when shooting at 30fps you want shutter at 1/60th which will yield a smooth cinematic look. This rule of cinematography is also called the “180 degree rule of shutter” for those of you who would like to read up on it. At PolarPro we manufacture a wide range of Mavic Filters that will help you achieve slower shutter speeds.

PolarPro | DJI Mavic Filters


4. How to Select the Right Filter

The goal you are trying to achieve with video is double your frame rate. If you are not familiar with f-stops and exposure, fear not, we have developed a free app that calculates all this for you:

IOS: Filter Calculator on the App Store

Andriod: Filter Calculator - Android Apps on Google Play


5. When Possible Shoot Away from the Sun

Shooting at the sun can be very tricky and often lead to severely under-exposed or over-exposed images and video. If I am shooting a subject, I always try to move the aircraft into a spot where the sun is behind the camera.


6. Smooth Gimbal Movements

Flying the Mavic in sport mode is really fun, it’s hard not to fly it like a fighter jet. However, if you are trying to create a cinematic composition, you need to slow it down. Try to move the gimbal smoothly and pan slowly, the slower the movements the better (you can always speed it up in post).


7. Manual vs Auto Mode

A common question we get is which mode to shoot in with our filters. The answer: whatever mode you are most comfortable with. Manual mode will lock your shutter speed which is perfect when you want it to be EXACTLY double frame rate. The drawback is that if exposure changes in the air you will need to use the EV comp to balance it, or else correct it in post. Have no idea what any of that means? Shoot in Auto, when you shoot in Auto the processor will keep your shutter speed CLOSE to double shutter, and you will not need to make any changes in post.


Hopefully this is helpful for some of you! Happy filming,


Jeff from PolarPro

www.polarprofilters.com

I just downloaded the app. I have a lot of experience with digital cinematography so the use of ND filters is nothing new, but the app works great for saving me from having to do the calculations in my head to get the right ND filter. Bravo. Great tool.

 

[Reaper277]

Hey @PolarPro,
Can you list the main differences between the Cinema series and the previous professional model for the MAVIC? Is the glass on the filters different? Is it simply that the Cinema series has clearance so that the unit can be installed prior to initializing the gimbal? Thanks much.

 

[PolarPro]

Hey @PolarPro,
Can you list the main differences between the Cinema series and the previous professional model for the MAVIC? Is the glass on the filters different? Is it simply that the Cinema series has clearance so that the unit can be installed prior to initializing the gimbal? Thanks much.

Great question,
All of our Mavic filters will now pass through gimbal initialization.
The Cinema Series uses a higher end glass that is also multi-coated to help reduce lens flaring.

-Jeff

 

[hzavarce]

Hi guys I have a few questions since I'm not familiarized with filters ND or polarized.

I intend to travel to South America (Europe mid year hopefully ) with my soon to arrive Mavic Pro ( Tomorrow is the date according to FedEx)

I travel a lot so that is why I got the Mavic, plan to go to Venezuela to get some great shots of the beaches and the Jungle on the very south side as well, this is a new found passion, document my travels, traveled there several times and I know I can get some amazing cereal shots there, since I have done it with my cameras has been amazing.

But I have no idea what filters to get, I know polarized should help me with the rivers and reflections, but other than that I don't know.

Polarized ND4, would it be too dark for me close to sunset? or it would be just fine ?

What variates between a Polarized only to the vivid collection?

If I get the Vivid collection do I still need the shutter collection?

Thank you very much in advance!!

 

[PolarPro]

Hi guys I have a few questions since I'm not familiarized with filters ND or polarized.

I intend to travel to South America (Europe mid year hopefully ) with my soon to arrive Mavic Pro ( Tomorrow is the date according to FedEx

Polarized ND4, would it be too dark for me close to sunset? or it would be just fine ?

What variates between a Polarized only to the vivid collection?

If I get the Vivid collection do I still need the shutter collection?

Great question,

Most customers purchase the 6-pack which will cover you in almost any lighting condition. It is also personal preference on the look and feel you are going for.

The Vivid Collection contains Neutral Density / Polarizer filters (ND/PL’s) which reduce shutter speed and also reduce glare and increase color saturation and contrast.

The Shutter collection contains straight ND filters which will reduce shutter speed with zero color shift. This is used when you want the color profile to remain unchanged.

Jeff

 

[wombat]

does PolarPro sell the CP filter for the Mavic pro as a one filter purchase, not in a group ?

had a look at their site and the only way to contact them is to phone, I think its a US number, or did I miss their email address option ?

 

[PolarPro]

does PolarPro sell the CP filter for the Mavic pro as a one filter purchase, not in a group ?
had a look at their site and the only way to contact them is to phone, I think its a US number, or did I miss their email address option ?

Yes, we sell individuals via special order, you can send [email protected] and email and they will get you all set up.

Also here is the contact page on the site if you need it again: PolarPro | How to contact us

Thanks!

 

[wombat]

Yes, we sell individuals via special order, you can send [email protected] and email and they will get you all set up.

Also here is the contact page on the site if you need it again: PolarPro | How to contact us

Thanks!

Thanks for that info, do not know how I missed the contact page, email sent

 

[Merlin23]

When will your company be re-filling or providing Amazon with your filters for orders we have made that are on terminal HOLD..or will you ever do this? I have a back order from them for some of your lenses..POLAR Pro Filters Cinema Series 6 pack from Dec 30th..that has not been filled...you tell me to contact them..they tell they are waiting on you to re-supply...Have you stopped doing business with Amazon?


Sent from my iPad using MavicPilots

 

[PolarPro]

When will your company be re-filling or providing Amazon with your filters for orders we have made that are on terminal HOLD..or will you ever do this? I have a back order from them for some of your lenses..POLAR Pro Filters Cinema Series 6 pack from Dec 30th..that has not been filled...you tell me to contact them..they tell they are waiting on you to re-supply...Have you stopped doing business with Amazon?
Sent from my iPad using MavicPilots

Thanks for the question, currently our Cinema Series filters are backordered. The fastest way to get them is to order on our site and they will ship by March 8th.

I do see Amazon just placed orders, we have many other dealers that placed orders before, and we will be shipping those first. I do not have an estimate on when they will be receiving their orders.

-Jeff