Way back in 2015, we had built a huge hexa-copter (dubbed Dragonfly), its purpose was to carry a miniaturized DSLR camera, like the small but still kind of heavy Fuji X-M1. Including the camera’s battery and the 27mm F/2.8 lens, the payload for the drone was 407 grams. The camera featured an APS-C-sized 16-megapixel image […]
Gear
Extending VLOS with Strobe Lights

I don’t know of too many beneficial accessories you can mount on a DJI mini-series drone, but a really bright light could be one. When considering the Operating Requirements for commercial drone pilots, stretching the VLOS (visual line of sight) with drone strobe lights seems to be a really good idea. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations (Part 107) […]
Rising from Ashes

When last we left our heroes … Flying a drone was always about photography. Years ago, I built the huge hexa-copter, we had dubbed Dragonfly, its purpose was to carry the miniaturized but still kind of heavy Fuji X-M1 camera. Including the battery and the 27mm F/2.8 lens, the payload for the drone was 407 grams. […]
How I shoot aerial panoramas

The tiny and lightweight DJI Mini 2 quadcopter has three panoramic shooting modes: Panorama Mode: 180˚ (7 images) Panorama Mode: Wide-Angle (9 images) Panorama Mode: Sphere (26 images) and here is how I use them. Usually, when I shoot videos with the Mini 2, I put an ND filter on the camera and if I […]
How I print in Adobe Lightroom Classic

ICC Profiles An ICC profile is a set of data that characterizes a color input or output device, or a color space, according to standards promulgated by the International Color Consortium. Before opening Lightroom, I decide on the paper I want to use and if it’s a new payer type, install the appropriate ICC profile. […]
Flashpoint R2 Transmitter / Firmware update using Mac OS

The Flashpoint R2pro TTL Transmitter is a reasonably priced device that when put into a camera’s hot-shoe, can trigger speed-lights over a long distance. It works well on my Canon DSLR (there are versions for all major camera brands), supports HSS (high-speed-sync up to 1/8000), 32 channels and 16 groups. The large graphic display shows 5 […]
My Gear

Cameras Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body Firmware: 1.7.0 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Body Firmware: 1.3.3 Canon EOS 6D DSLR Body Firmware: 1.1.9 Lenses Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC Super Wide Angle, Manual Focus Lens Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens A015 Firmware: 2.01 [2] Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 […]
The elusive Black Phoenix

In Greek mythology, a Phoenix is a long-lived bird that is cyclically reborn. This beautiful bird is said to live 500 years, and then, at the time of its death it creates a nest and while still in it, sets it on fire. Out of the fiery hot ashes of its own demise springs a […]