Chasing Sunsets and Dodging Puddles Like a Pro

in Drone11 days ago

Let’s talk about The Art of Capturing a Killer Sunset, because if you’re not sending your drone up while the sky is on fire, are you even flying?

This week, I took my DJI Mini 3 Pro out for another round of "How Close Can I Get to a Tree Without Crying?" Spoiler alert: pretty close. But that’s the price of greatness. And the price was paid before, by hitting and sticking in a tree, 3 meters above longest non-firebrigade-length-ladder...

DJI_0547-HDR.jpg

DJI_0565-HDR.jpg

Why the Mini 3 Pro?

Because I was walking, and let’s be real, lugging around a full-sized drone rig while trying to “enjoy nature” sounds like a great way to end up in a ditch. The Mini 3 Pro is that perfect mix of portability and power, like a muscle car that somehow fits in your backpack. And guess what? The colors it can capture are still ridiculous.

Aerial Zen Mode

There's something about flying over empty fields, dirt roads, and distant trees that feels borderline meditative, like nature whispering, “Yeah, you’re crushing it.” The golden-hour glow turns basic landscapes into cinematic masterpieces, making me feel like I'm directing a National Geographic documentary... except with slightly more adrenaline and significantly less planning. Oh, and not the paycheck afterwards.

DJI_0542-HDR.jpg

Pro Tips for Sunset Flights (AKA How to Not Screw It Up)

1️⃣ Timing is Everything

Sunsets don’t wait for you to finish scrolling Instagram. Get your drone in the air 15-20 minutes before peak golden hour to catch those deep shadows and chef’s kiss colors.

2️⃣ Manual Exposure = Guru Mode

Auto mode is fine... if you like mediocrity. Want that pro-level contrast? Drop your ISO low, adjust the shutter speed, and embrace ND filters. Trust me, your footage will thank you. Top Tip? Underexposing by about 1 stop can make those colors really pop!

3️⃣ Be Mindful of Wind (And Dumb Birds)

Even the Mini 3 Pro, as mighty as it is, has its limits. Sudden gusts can turn your cinematic sweep into a full-blown search and rescue mission. And birds? Yeah, some of them are not cool with your flying robot. Stay alert. Some WILL attack!

4️⃣ Reflections = Instant Drama

Water + sunset = pure magic. Whether it's a lake, puddle, or a random flooded field, low-angle shots over reflections add insane depth to your footage. Just don’t get too low, unless you like heart attacks and wet underpants (no, not from the puddles!)

DJI_0552-HDR.jpg

DJI_0515-HDR.jpg

Fly more, worry less

Another day, another batch of insane sunset shots that make my past self jealous. If you’re not out there pushing your drone to its creative limits, what are you even doing? Quit waiting for perfect conditions! Just fly. Mess up. Learn. Get better. And most importantly… don’t crash into a tree (again).

Now, go send it. 🚀



📸 Captured & Edited

Shot with: Apple iPhone 14 Max Pro
Edited using: Lightroom Mobile & Skylum Luminar AI

All photos are my own work. Dive deeper and explore more on my website or check out my links.


🔍 Gear & Tools

Curious about the gear I use?
Find out everything about my photography tools here.


🤳 Let's Connect!

Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/bjornbeheydt
Join me there for behind-the-scenes, exclusive shots, and more!


🤖 Vote for Botlord – Because More Nodes = More Power!
Hive needs strong, reliable witnesses. So, I launched Botlord—because if anyone should command the bots, it’s me. 🤖💪

✅ Click here & vote:
👉 Vote for Botlord

More nodes = More decentralization = A stronger Hive. It’s one click for you, but a giant leap for Hive stability. Botlord approves this message. 🚀


💥 !INDEED/@indeedly Tipping Bot

Discover the !INDEED tipping bot and add a bit of fun to rewarding your favorite creators!
Start tipping and earn tokens just by engaging with the community.

Learn more about it here.


🌈 !HOPE/@hopelizer Tipping Bot

Spread some positivity with the !HOPE tipping bot!
Start rewarding content that inspires and uplifts with !HOPE tokens.

Learn more about it here.


🤪 !WEIRD/@weirdly Tipping Bot

Embrace the weirdness with the !WEIRD tipping bot!
Tip and share the quirky side of the Hive community with !WEIRD tokens.

Learn more about it here.


🔥 Support BBH Witness

BBH is here to support the Hive community, and every vote helps us keep growing and making a difference!
Consider voting for the BBH witness to support decentralization and the awesome Hive community.
Learn more and cast your vote here.

Sort:  


Haven't picked it up in awhile it was a cheap one, i already knew i would crash alot, i already trashed one set of blades.🤣
20250318_102305.jpg
Live and learnBrilliant @borniet i just learned alot about drone flying, it is not easy i know i been trying i have crashed more than i have been in the air so far 😎


Made in Canva
!ALIVE

- @benthomaswwd - Moderator


This post has been curated by the Alive And Thriving Team, we curate good content in the We Are Alive Tribe that is on topic for #aliveandthriving, and it's included in our daily curation report on @aliveandthriving, plus @youarealive is following our Curation Trail.

Luckily the blades are easily replaceable! ;-)
Does your drone have surrounding sensors? Preferably in all directions? It does help in keeping it in one piece! It's not a guarantee though, I can tell you from personal experience :-D
!DIY
!HOPE
!PIZZA
!INDEED
!ALIVE
!BBH

Don't be shy - share some DIY!

You can query your personal balance by !DIYSTATS

@borniet just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @aliveandthriving! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

Espectacular sunset and landscape

Thank you very much!
!DIY
!HOPE
!PIZZA
!INDEED
!ALIVE
!BBH

Thanks to You, my friend 🙏🏻

Don't be shy - share some DIY!

You can query your personal balance by !DIYSTATS

@borniet just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @maiasun84! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

Lovely sunset drone shots, @borniet! Watch out for those attack birds! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙

!ALIVE
!BBH
!LUV
!PIZZA

Thanks a million! ;-)
Yeah, already got attacked once :-) But luckily without any harm, not for the drone nor the bird :-D
!DIY
!HOPE
!PIZZA
!INDEED
!ALIVE
!BBH

Ever so welcome you are, of course! Yipes, and that's very good to hear! What kind of bird? 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙

!DIY
!MMB
!STRIDE
!WEIRD

Don't be shy - share some DIY!

You can query your personal balance by !DIYSTATS

@tydynrain just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @borniet! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

Don't be shy - share some DIY!

You can query your personal balance by !DIYSTATS

@borniet just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @tydynrain! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

PIZZA!

$PIZZA slices delivered:
(10/15)
borniet tipped aliveandthriving
tydynrain tipped borniet @borniet tipped @maiasun84

!CURATE BY

@biologistbrito

Thank you for your contribution to the community🌍🐏

Remember to delegate to us or join the curation trail to participate in the weekly hbd prizes🥇🏅