Composition is a game of creativity, not rules, and it is within anyone’s grasp to become a master of this game. All you need to do is look at the world differently, through the eyes of an artist.
Whether you are a beginner drone pilot or a professional who has conquered the sky, the following six composition techniques have been carefully selected to take your aerial photography to new heights.
DJIART Composition Techniques
1. Diagonals | Dynamic Tension
Where horizontal lines add a sense of stability in your compositions, diagonal lines add a new element to your work. Explore your surroundings, capture interesting objects, and experiment with diagonal compositions in your aerial footage.
Pool © Alexandr Vlassyuk | Equipment: Phantom 4 Pro
Frame your subject alongside diagonal structures to enhance this dynamic effect.
Untitled ©郑戈 | Equipment: Mavic Pro
2. Juxtaposition | Complementing Contrasts
In aerial photography, juxtaposition refers to creating a contrast between scenes, objects, or even motifs.
That Thin Path Between Order and Chaos © Pablo
The following photo of the Greek town, Nafplio, showcases an intricate juxtaposition of old versus new, water versus earth, and nature versus civilization, creating a stunningly thoughtful composition.
Drone’s Eye View of the Old Town of Nafplio, Greece © DroneAndDusted | Equipment: Mavic Air
3. Isolate the Subject | Enhancing Focus
Place an object in the center of the frame, and take an aerial photo to highlight its features from above. Add in some background blur while post-editing to magnify this effect.
Fight | Kaunas, Lithuania © Andrius Aleksandravičius | Equipment: Mavic 2 Pro
The next composition is a perfect example of isolating your subject and creating a simple composition. This technique is especially useful for taking aerial portraits.
Summers Simplicity © Petra Leary| Equipment: Mavic Pro
4. Asymmetry | Attracting Attention
While symmetry makes a subject appear more prominent, asymmetric images can grab your viewers’ attention.
Asymmetric © Emanuele Roasio | Equipment: Phantom 3 Pro
Try combining both symmetrical and asymmetrical elements to create even more visual options.
Late Summer Sun © pgreen1983 | Equipment: Phantom 4
5. Rule of Thirds | Abstract Images
The rule of thirds is a great aerial photography technique that involves dividing your image with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. You can then position your subjects along these guidelines to produce an aesthetically pleasing image.
默… ©郑戈 | Equipment: Mavic 2 Pro
6. Tell a Story | Guiding Viewers
Use your aerial photography to guide your viewers and expand their perspective. Elements like roads, rivers, and buildings are perfect for guiding viewers and offering them a unique perspective.
Wedding © Trips In The World | Equipment: Spark
By highlighting curved lines, your compositions can guide your viewers and reveal interesting details along the way.
Classic Tuscany © Stefano Geraci | Equipment: Phantom 4 Pro
Aerial Photography Composition Tips
Composition tips should be used as a source of inspiration rather than a list of concrete rules. The most important thing is to get out there and try finding new creative inspiration. Try practicing with DJIART composition techniques, share your memorable shots, and discover more aerial photography inspiration at SkyPixel.
