Well, what can I say, it's super-duper-cool! Last time I was already crying with envy at these landscapes, I can only repeat it. MY DREAM, not realized by me, never ceases to be a dream. I will now wait for my granddaughter to grow up, become the owner of a travel agency, and take her elderly grandfather for a ride across these dunes, at least before she dies.
Good afternoon, Sergey! It's been a while since you've been seen... I was thinking about you recently... Thanks for the pleasure!) It really is a treat!)
Hello, Olga. Times are very difficult in Belarus right now...you understand...that's why it's been a while since you've been seen, but we won't go into that here. Thanks for the memory, I hope you saw the film too, I tried my best!)
Well, what can I say, super-duper-cool! Last time I was already crying with envy at these landscapes, I can only repeat it. MY DREAM, realized not by me, never ceases to be a dream. Now I will wait for my granddaughter to grow up, become the owner of a travel agency and take her elderly grandfather for a ride across these dunes, at least before she dies))
Well, what can I say, you've stumped me, Victor. Of course, I wish you your dream to come true, even if it's just as you put it)). Keep dreaming!!! You'll come up with your own wonderful ideas. It so happened that I found myself in a beautiful desert just before the pandemic, and I'd been dreaming about it for maybe 20 years. And it was truly worth it. We were driven through the desert for 8 days. A Tuareg once said that people end up in the desert when their time has come...!) I'm not entirely sure what he meant. Yes, it's an incredible space for a creative person; you don't know where to start, grabbing a camera, a drone, so many ideas... Ah, now I'm dreaming and waiting for the borders to open and the opportunity to come.
Very interesting shot! I highly recommend it! Good luck!
Thank you, and good luck to you too! Be sure to watch the film. It reveals the full potential of the desert from a photographer's and videographer's perspective.
The film was a success. It turned out very effectively to submit photographic landscapes. Perhaps there are frames with Easter idols more spectacular than in the publication.
The film is a success. The landscapes are presented very effectively. There are probably more striking shots of the Easter idols than in the publication.
I spent a long time deciding on the stylization; I was planning to do everything in black and white, something like the "Qi Space" photo project. After some deliberation, I settled on color and, as I think you've noticed, the combination of two color temperatures. I might do a few purely black and white ones in the future, especially since I have some interesting unused shots and frames left. The music is also a bit of a story. The choice isn't great, I was searching, trying, and trying to match my feelings with a melody when composing the shots. It would be nice to go there again; it would be more meaningful. Otherwise, sometimes it's a drone, sometimes a camera. I don't like the rush. There are many opportunities for a photographer in the Sahara. You're only limited by yourself. I agree with you, the film has more personal and nuanced shots than what's published here. Everything has its place.
Alexander Popov, I spent a long time deciding on the stylization. I was planning to do everything in black and white, something similar to the "Qi Space" photo project. After some deliberation, I settled on color and, I think you've noticed, the combination of two color temperatures. I might do a few purely black and white shots in the future, especially since I have some interesting unused shots and frames left. The music is also a bit of a challenge. The choice isn't great, I was searching, trying, and trying to match my feelings with a melody when composing the shots. It would be nice to go back there again; it would be more meaningful. Otherwise, sometimes it's a drone, sometimes a camera. I don't like the rush. There are many opportunities for a photographer in the Sahara Desert. You're limited only by yourself. I agree with you, the film has more personal and subtle details in the shots than what's published here. Everything in its place.
Sergey Mikhalyuk, It's difficult with a drone. My habit of photography frankly hinders working with video. It requires complete immersion. I've at least started using a drone for static shots; video takes too much time. On the one hand, it's clear that video is overpowered, but I still want to take photos.
Sergey Mikhalyuk, It's difficult with a drone. My photography habits frankly interfere with working with video. It requires complete immersion. I've at least started using a drone for static shots; video takes too much time. On the one hand, it's clear that video is superior, but I still want to take photos.
Exactly, it requires immersion, extreme concentration. Smoothness and traction, and most importantly, constant control of the frame's composition. You also need to keep an eye on the drone itself so as not to ruin it. Personally, my photography habits don't hinder me. I'd even say the opposite. My demand for good composition has increased. But it's certainly difficult to split my attention between them; it's distracting... I shoot static shots with a drone (photos), of course. Panoramas are more preferable. The copter is perfectly suited for them. That's where electronics excel. However, I prefer drone video more. I love the dynamics and trajectories, when one composition flows seamlessly into another. Alexander, is there anything interesting you've shot with a drone that I can see?
Alexander Popov, Exactly, it requires immersion, extreme concentration. Smoothness and traction, and most importantly, constant control of the composition. You also need to keep an eye on the drone itself, so as not to ruin it. Personally, my photography habits don't hinder me. I'd even say the opposite. My demand for good composition has increased. But it's certainly difficult to split my attention between them; it's distracting... I shoot static shots with a drone (photos), of course. Panoramas are more suitable. The copter is perfectly suited for them. That's where the electronics really shine. However, I prefer drone video more; I adore the dynamics, the trajectories, when one composition flows seamlessly into another. Alexander, is there anything interesting you've shot with a drone to see?
Sergey Mikhalyuk, I've been slowly trying to work with it for two years now, but I have very little time—it's a different workflow. I've practically just started mastering it. There are also technical issues with the control channel's range. This season, we managed to take some good photos of Novgorod the Great. So far, there's almost nothing in the way of video; I'd say it's just experiments. It's more or less similar to the video:
Photography teaches you discreteness, while video demands smooth continuity and coherence—which has some inherent problems. Photographic habits break everything down into discrete views, and then you sit and struggle with stitching together video frames. My camera doesn't support trajectory flybys, otherwise I could plan more precisely. I'm learning.
Sergey Mikhalyuk, I've been slowly working with it for two years now, but I have very little time—I have a different job. I've practically just started mastering it. Plus, there are technical issues with the control channel's range. This season, I managed to take some good photos of Novgorod the Great. So far, there's almost nothing in terms of video; I'd say it's just experiments. It's more or less like
I see you enjoy this activity. It's certainly not bad for a startup—different shots, fly-bys... alternating shots. You change frames to music! What model is it?
Photography accustoms you to discreteness, while video demands smooth continuity and coherence—this has some inherent problems. Photographic habits break everything down into discrete views, and then you sit and struggle with merging video frames. My camera doesn't support trajectory flybys, otherwise I could plan more precisely. I'm learning.
Alexander Popov, I see you enjoy this activity. It's certainly not bad for a startup—different shots, flybys..., alternating shots. You change frames to music! What model is it?
Sergey Mikhalyuk, It's a Mavic Mini. The only option with a decent camera and no registration or flight approval required. After the tightening of legislation, anything with a flight weight over 250 grams requires registration with Rosaviatsiya, and flying generally requires permission from the city administration—if it's in a city. I don't need such problems. The Mini can be flown practically anywhere, as long as you don't scare people.
The filming isn't particularly challenging; the shots are monotonous, with lots of cuts. The director makes the most of the exotic nature. I also consider the frequent cameraman's presence in the frame a drawback.
Vladimir Bayker, Good book. Actually, I started making films in Premiere Pro back in 2004, when my MiniDV camera was relevant. I read a lot back then. The video you showed was shot haphazardly, so to speak, without any plan or script. I just came to shoot and flew the drone at the same time. I was just taking a bunch of shots to gauge how impressive it would be. My total time in the air was about 40 minutes, maybe a little more, but the short distance of the falling video requires changing positions, which reduces the effectiveness. The lack of a fly-by feature along a preset trajectory is a big drawback. Making a decent video the first time is almost impossible – you need to evaluate the desired movement pattern, tempo, and select the music in advance. That's already a scenario. It's too much work for a weekend outing. Using a drone as a flying camera is much easier; that's my main method for now. The Mini is more suitable as a stabilized flying camera for low-level shooting, from heights up to 30 meters. The short video reception range is also quite annoying. At 40-60 meters, you can catch freezes, but above that, it's really no fun—at 150 meters, you're on the verge of losing control. But what you have is what you have. I definitely don't want to have to get permits from local authorities.
Sergey Mikhalyuk, the Mavic Mini is the only option with a decent camera and doesn't require registration or flight approval. After the tightening of legislation, anything with a flight weight over 250 grams requires registration with the Federal Air Transport Agency, and flying generally requires permission from the city administration – if it's in a city. I don't need such problems. The Mini can be flown almost anywhere, as long as you don't scare people.
Alexander Popov, Yes. Unfortunately, I have to put up with such prohibitions and restrictions. Yours is really perfect for the city. Personally, I wasn't counting on the city; it's not particularly inspiring. And in nature, especially in the mountains, you need a drone, especially one that's small and easily blown away by the wind.
The lack of a flight path feature is a major drawback.
Before buying, they made it clear to me: if you don't want to crash the drone, disable the automatic control modes. Everyone who taught me had crashed more than once. I trusted them and learned all the intricacies of flybys manually. Now I'm so glad I did; I can fly around any object, no matter how large, by changing the trajectory. I don't trust the visual positioning sensors either; if you're flying in areas with reflections, they need to be turned off.
It's almost impossible to make a decent video the first time—you need to evaluate the desired movement pattern, tempo, and select the music in advance. That's already a script.
I agree. It doesn't always work out that way, but it's more reliable. Rely on the existing tempo and idea for the controls.
Photographics teach you discreteness, while video demands smooth continuity and coherence—which has some inherent problems. Photography habits break everything down into discrete views, and then you sit and struggle with stitching together video frames.
I haven't noticed yet that photography skills are somehow interfering with video. For me, on the contrary, maybe I haven't noticed... Over time, you get used to everything, and everything will be fine. I just can't seem to get the drone to land in my hand.
Vladimir Bayker, Good book. Actually, I started making films in Premiere Pro back in 2004, when my MiniDV camera was relevant. I read a lot back then. The video you showed was shot haphazardly, so to speak, without any plan or script. I just came to shoot and flew the drone at the same time. I was just taking a bunch of shots to gauge how effective it would be. My total time in the air was about 40 minutes, maybe a little more, but the short distance of the falling video requires changing positions, which reduces the effectiveness. The lack of a fly-by-wire feature is a big drawback. Making a decent video the first time is almost impossible – you need to assess the desired movement pattern, tempo, and select the music in advance. That's already a script. Too much work for a weekend jaunt. Using a drone as a flying camera is much easier; for now, that's my main method. The Mini is more suitable as a flying stabilized camera for low-level shooting, from a height of up to 30 meters. The short video reception distance is also quite annoying. At 40-60 meters, you can catch freezes, but above that, it's really no fun – at 150 meters, you're on the verge of losing control. But what is, is. I certainly don't want to have to write myself permits from local authorities.
Alexander Popov, there are several points that novice drone pilots neglect or don't know. Filming everything on the move, especially when nothing is happening in the frame, panoramic shots, practically at the same zoom level, can create motion sickness in the viewer, leading to a loss of attention. This happens quite quickly, especially if you use calm music, like meditative music. Two or three minutes is enough, and interest in your video disappears. Static shots, changing zoom levels, and accents in both the image and the sound are essential.
Sergey Mikhalyuk, the Mavic Mini is the only option with a decent camera and doesn't require registration or flight approval. After the tightening of legislation, anything with a flight weight over 250 grams requires registration with the Federal Air Transport Agency, and flying generally requires permission from the city administration—if you're in a city. I don't need such problems. The Mini can be flown almost anywhere, as long as you don't scare people. Alexander Popov, Yes. Unfortunately, I have to put up with such prohibitions and restrictions. Yours is really perfect for the city. Personally, I wasn't counting on the city; it's not particularly inspiring. And in nature, especially in the mountains, you need a camera, especially one that's small and easily blown away by the wind. I haven't noticed yet that my photography skills are somehow interfering with video, but for me, maybe I haven't noticed... Over time, we'll get used to it, and everything will be fine. I just can't get the drone to land in my hand.
Sergey Mikhalyuk, The Mini's main problem with manual control is its short range. Regarding the automatic control, it's obvious, especially if GPS reception is unstable—the flight could end in China. The drone simply drifts over a stream of water—it stabilizes using the lower camera, and then the current. In the city, drones are actively countered—special equipment is installed in many places; this is reality—https://detsys.ru/catalog/antiterroristicheskoe-oborudovanie/zashchita_ot_dronov/ . 2.4GHz WiFi in cities is jam-packed, and 5.8GHz, like mine, is sensitive to trees and other obstacles, and it's not allowed—so the kind Chinese engineers keep transmitter power to a minimum. Basically, if you manage to get up, take a quick photo of Peter and Paul Fortress, and land where you took off, that's a small victory.
Alexander Popov, there are several points that beginner drone photographers neglect or don't know. Filming everything on the move, especially when nothing is happening in the frame, with wide-angle shots, practically all at the same zoom level, can make the viewer feel motion sick, leading to a loss of attention. This happens quite quickly, especially if you use calm music, like meditative music. Two or three minutes is enough, and interest in your video is lost. Static shots, changing zoom levels, and accents in both the image and the sound are essential.
Vladimir Bayker, By and large, drone footage is suitable for footage, to make cuts between scenes in a film. But where can the average person get this footage? The most you can capture is a selfie walk. Well, city scenes from a static position interspersed with aerial shots can work just fine, especially if they're shot at night. You can even move around the photo—it'll give it a video effect, especially if it's just buildings. So if you search, you'll find plenty of landscape videos, mostly nature-themed, all identical in tempo and mournful, relaxing musical style. They all follow in Ron Fricke's footsteps, but fall short. Although there are occasional breathtaking attractions. But that requires filming at a high frame rate. That means a higher-end camera. Overall, the problems are clear, but the subject matter and the purpose of such a large-scale work remain unclear—the question remains.
After some deliberation, I settled on color and, as I think you've noticed, the combination of two color temperatures. I might do a few purely black and white ones in the future, especially since I have some interesting unused shots and frames left. The music is also a bit of a story. The choice isn't great, I was searching, trying, and trying to match my feelings with a melody when composing the shots. It would be nice to go there again; it would be more meaningful. Otherwise, sometimes it's a drone, sometimes a camera. I don't like the rush. There are many opportunities for a photographer in the Sahara. You're only limited by yourself.
I agree with you, the film has more personal and nuanced shots than what's published here. Everything has its place.
Alexander, is there anything interesting you've shot with a drone that I can see?
Before buying, they made it clear to me: if you don't want to crash the drone, disable the automatic control modes. Everyone who taught me had crashed more than once. I trusted them and learned all the intricacies of flybys manually. Now I'm so glad I did; I can fly around any object, no matter how large, by changing the trajectory. I don't trust the visual positioning sensors either; if you're flying in areas with reflections, they need to be turned off.
I agree. It doesn't always work out that way, but it's more reliable. Rely on the existing tempo and idea for the controls.
I haven't noticed yet that photography skills are somehow interfering with video. For me, on the contrary, maybe I haven't noticed... Over time, you get used to everything, and everything will be fine. I just can't seem to get the drone to land in my hand.