Drones have transformed the way we capture visuals, offering breathtaking aerial views that were once only possible through expensive setups like helicopters. With the release of the DJI Air 3S, drone enthusiasts—especially beginners—now have a powerful tool at their disposal. If you’re new to the world of drones and are eager to master aerial cinematography, the DJI Air 3S is your gateway to epic aerial footage.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the essential tips and techniques you need to capture stunning footage with your DJI Air 3S. From setting up your drone to choosing the best camera settings, we’ll cover everything you need to start your aerial photography journey on the right foot.
Getting Started with the DJI Air 3S
Before you even take your DJI Air 3S to the skies, it’s important to understand the basics. The DJI Air 3S is a powerful, yet compact drone packed with impressive features like a 1-inch CMOS sensor, 4K video capabilities, and a host of intelligent flight modes. It’s designed to provide high-quality footage without the complexity, making it ideal for beginners.
Unboxing and Setup
When you unbox your DJI Air 3S, you’ll find the following items:
- DJI Air 3S drone, Remote controller, Extra propellers, Charger and cables, Batteries, User manual
To get started:
Charge the batteries: Always ensure your drone and remote controller are fully charged before heading out. It can take up to an hour to fully charge a battery, and you’ll want to maximize your flight time.
Install the DJI Fly App: This app is your primary control interface. It helps you monitor battery life, control flight modes, view the live feed from the camera, and access advanced features.
Perform a firmware update: Always update your drone to the latest firmware. DJI frequently rolls out updates that enhance performance, add new features, and fix bugs.
Calibrate the compass: Before every flight, make sure to calibrate your drone’s compass to ensure accurate positioning and GPS stability.
Understanding the Remote Controller
The DJI Air 3S’s remote controller is user-friendly, but it’s important to familiarize yourself with its basic functions:
- Left stick controls altitude (up/down) and rotation (left/right).
- Right stick controls forward, backward, and lateral movement.
- RTH Button: Pressing this button will initiate the “Return to Home” function, bringing the drone back to its takeoff location.
- Gimbal Wheel: Adjust the gimbal’s angle to capture different perspectives.
Mastering the DJI Air 3S Camera Settings
When it comes to capturing epic aerial footage, mastering your camera settings is crucial. The DJI Air 3S boasts impressive camera capabilities, but you’ll need to fine-tune settings to get the best results.
Resolution and Frame Rate
- For most beginners, 4K at 30fps is an excellent starting point. It provides crisp details and smooth motion, which is essential for stunning aerial footage.
- If you want to capture slow-motion shots, you can switch to 1080p at 60fps or 120fps, but keep in mind that higher frame rates may reduce video resolution.
Shutter Speed and ISO
- In bright daylight, use a low ISO setting (between 100-200) to avoid grainy footage. In low-light conditions, increase the ISO but try not to exceed ISO 800 to prevent noise.
- Shutter speed should follow the 180-degree rule, meaning it should be double your frame rate. For example, if you’re shooting at 30fps, set your shutter speed to 1/60.
White Balance
- For natural-looking colors, set your white balance to Daylight (5500K) when shooting in sunny conditions. If you’re filming during golden hour or cloudy days, manually adjust the temperature for more accurate colors.
D-Log or Normal Color Profile
- For beginners, shooting in Normal color profile is easier because it requires little to no post-production editing. However, if you want to have greater flexibility when color grading, shoot in D-Log. This flat color profile preserves more details in highlights and shadows, allowing you to achieve a cinematic look during post-processing.
Best Flight Practices for Cinematic Shots
Capturing epic aerial footage is not just about camera settings—it’s also about how you fly your drone. With a few key techniques, you can transform ordinary footage into something cinematic.
Plan Your Shots Before You Fly
Pre-planning your shots can make a huge difference in the quality of your footage. Use tools like Google Earth or the DJI Fly app to scout your location and plan out interesting shots. Look for unique perspectives like leading lines, wide-open landscapes, or cityscapes that will elevate your footage.
Start with Simple Movements
For beginners, it’s tempting to try complex maneuvers, but simplicity often leads to the best results. Try these basic movements to create smooth, professional-looking footage:
- Straight-up ascent: Launch the drone vertically to reveal the landscape below.
- Slow forward or backward movement: Move the drone gently forward or backward while keeping the gimbal angle steady. This creates a smooth tracking shot.
- Circle shot: Use the Point of Interest mode to circle around a subject while keeping it in the center of the frame.
Mastering Gimbal Control
Smooth gimbal control is essential for stable footage. Beginners should practice using the gimbal wheel to tilt the camera slowly and smoothly. Avoid jerky movements by adjusting the gimbal’s speed settings in the DJI Fly app, allowing for more precise and cinematic camera movements.
Utilizing Intelligent Flight Modes for Epic Shots
One of the biggest advantages of the DJI Air 3S is its suite of Intelligent Flight Modes, which are designed to help you capture stunning shots with minimal effort.
ActiveTrack 5.0
This feature allows your DJI Air 3S to autonomously follow and film a subject. Whether you’re tracking a person, car, or boat, ActiveTrack ensures smooth footage while you focus on framing the shot. Simply draw a box around the subject on the DJI Fly app, and the drone will lock onto it.
MasterShots
This is one of the best features for beginners. MasterShots automatically performs a sequence of professional drone movements, like spirals and orbits, around a subject. Once it completes the sequence, the DJI Fly app will generate a short, edited video.
QuickShots
QuickShots offer pre-programmed flight paths that capture dynamic, fast-paced footage with just a tap:
- Dronie: The drone flies backward and upward while keeping the subject in the center.
- Helix: The drone spirals upward and outward, creating a cinematic reveal shot.
- Rocket: The drone ascends quickly with the camera pointing downward for a dramatic overhead shot.
Hyperlapse
Hyperlapse creates stunning time-lapse videos that compress time and movement. Beginners can use this mode to capture the movement of clouds, traffic, or sunsets in an epic, cinematic fashion.
Safety Tips for Flying the DJI Air 3S
Safety is paramount when flying any drone, especially for beginners. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth and safe flight experience:
Check Weather Conditions
Always check the weather before you fly. Avoid flying in rain, high winds, or fog, as these conditions can impact your drone’s performance and safety.
Maintain Line of Sight
Make sure to always keep your drone within your line of sight. Losing visual contact can lead to accidents, especially if the drone encounters obstacles like trees or power lines.
Observe No-Fly Zones
Use the DJI Fly app to check for no-fly zones in your area. Airports, military bases, and national parks often have restrictions, and flying in these areas could result in fines or the loss of your drone.
Fly at a Safe Altitude
While the DJI Air 3S can fly up to 120 meters (400 feet), it’s recommended to keep your drone at lower altitudes for better control and more stable footage. Staying lower also reduces the chances of interfering with aircraft.
Editing Your Aerial Footage for Maximum Impact
Once you’ve captured your footage, the next step is editing. Whether you’re using software like Adobe Premiere Pro or the built-in editor in the DJI Fly app, editing allows you to enhance your footage and make it stand out.
Stabilize Your Footage
Although the DJI Air 3S has built-in stabilization, it’s always a good idea to use software stabilization to remove any remaining jitter or shake from your footage.
Color Grading for Cinematic Looks
If you shot in D-Log, you’ll need to apply a LUT (Look-Up Table) or manually adjust the color grading to bring out the full potential of your footage. Focus on enhancing the colors, contrast, and saturation to achieve a cinematic look.
Add Music and Sound Effects
Adding a suitable soundtrack and sound effects can significantly elevate your video. Choose music that complements the mood of your footage—whether it’s a serene landscape or an adrenaline-pumping chase.
Conclusion
The DJI Air 3S is an incredibly versatile drone that allows beginners to capture stunning, professional-quality aerial footage. With the right camera settings, intelligent flight modes, and a bit of practice, you’ll be well on your way to creating epic videos that leave a lasting impression. Remember to always prioritize safety, and most importantly—have fun exploring the skies with your DJI Air 3S!
What makes the DJI Air 3S a good choice for beginners?
The DJI Air 3S is beginner-friendly due to its intuitive controls, intelligent flight modes, and powerful camera features, making it easy to capture professional-looking aerial footage.How do I set up the DJI Air 3S for my first flight?
To set up the DJI Air 3S, charge the batteries, install the DJI Fly app, update the firmware, and calibrate the compass before taking off for a safe and smooth flight experience.What camera settings should I use for the best footage with the DJI Air 3S?
For epic aerial footage, shoot in 4K at 30fps, use ISO 100-200 in bright conditions, set shutter speed to double your frame rate, and choose the Normal color profile for easy editing.What is the maximum flight time of the DJI Air 3S?
The DJI Air 3S offers a flight time of up to 31 minutes on a full charge, depending on wind conditions and flight speed.What are the best intelligent flight modes for beginners on the DJI Air 3S?
The best intelligent flight modes for beginners include ActiveTrack for autonomous subject tracking, MasterShots for automated cinematic sequences, and QuickShots for easy dynamic shots.How do I avoid shaky footage when flying the DJI Air 3S?
To avoid shaky footage, use smooth gimbal movements, adjust gimbal speed settings, and apply software stabilization during post-editing for a steady, professional look.Can I capture slow-motion videos with the DJI Air 3S?
Yes, the DJI Air 3S supports slow-motion videos by shooting in 1080p at 60fps or 120fps, allowing you to slow down fast-paced action in post-production.What safety precautions should I take before flying the DJI Air 3S?
Always check the weather, calibrate your compass, ensure your batteries are fully charged, and avoid flying in no-fly zones or near obstacles for a safe flight.How can I edit DJI Air 3S footage for a cinematic look?
You can use editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve to stabilize footage, adjust color grading, and add music or sound effects for a polished cinematic finish.What is the best way to capture smooth cinematic drone shots as a beginner?
Start with simple drone movements like slow ascents, forward tracking shots, and circle shots, and use intelligent flight modes like Point of Interest for smooth, professional-looking footage.
