It is now easier than ever to start learning aerial photography because of drones, these high-flying unmanned equipment that carries cameras that take stunning photos of wildlife, landscapes, and events. It’s a remote-controlled “toy” that has seen its price dropped in recent years, making it accessible for nearly everyone with a $100 to spend.

But though they are fun and revolutionary, drones are difficult to manage and if you want to hone your aerial photography skills, you have to consider many factors including the drones you will start with and the basic skills you know.

Choose a drone according to your skills and needs

The two most common type of drones is those with either a built-in camera or those that you can attach your own camera. Drones with built-in cameras are larger and the resolution isn’t very high while drones that you can attach your cameras to are smaller.

You also have the options to simply attach your GoPro, which you are already a master at manipulating. If you are simply beginning on this journey, choose a drone that is light, sturdy, and cheap. There is a good chance that you will encounter accidents with your drone, so start with a cheap one and move on from there.

Read the manual carefully

The instruction manual, which provides the best advice on how to fly your drone and use it to take images of sceneries and landscapes, comes with all drones, whether they are cheap or expensive.

Sure, it might not be as exciting as flying over a building or the ocean but if you want to master the skills needed to take aerial photos, you need to get to studying.

Understand the legal ramifications

Because of the instant boom in unmanned aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it requires the mandatory registration of any UAV weighing between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds.

If your drone falls under this category, make sure to file the appropriate documents and register the drone before flying it for the first time.

The registration fee is cheap, a mere $5, we think, and all you have to do is give your name, address, and email address to the FAA. Registration is good for three years so make sure you renew it before the license expires.

Learn about post-production

The post-production process is as important as the actual process of capturing the images. Everything, they said, is fixable in post-production so it’s vital that you learn how to edit and adjust the quality of the images, too.

It takes a lot of practice to master this skill, whether you want to use Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, or Photoshop. Each of this software boasts a particular learning curve and each can produce professional-grade content.