Drone Dynamics: From Photography to Advanced Applications

Master drone piloting, focusing on capturing stunning aerial photographs, exploring diverse drone applications, and understanding the impact of AI on the drone industry.

Join this Course

Responsible	Mark Clulow
Last Update	05/04/2025
Completion Time	1 day 12 hours 55 minutes
Members	1

START HERE

3Lessons · 1 hr 1 min
- Intro to Drones 101
- Assessment Methods
- Required Equipment
Week 1: Introduction to Drones and Safety Protocols

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Course introduction and overview of drone technology evolution
- Day 2: Types of drones: consumer, prosumer, and professional models
- Day 3: Essential components of a drone system (frame, motors, propellers, battery, controller)
- Day 4: Pre-flight checklists and basic maintenance procedures
- Day 5: Safety protocols and risk management
- Practical Session: First contact with drones in a controlled environment
  
  10 xp
Week 2: Fundamentals of Drone Flight

6Lessons · 2 hrs 54 mins
- Day 1: Principles of flight and aerodynamics
- Day 2: Understanding drone controls (throttle, yaw, pitch, roll)
- Day 3: Manual flight practice in beginner mode
- Day 4: Understanding flight modes and when to use them
- Day 5: Mastering take-off, hovering, and landing
- Practical Session: Basic flight manoeuvres in open space
  
  10 xp
Week 3: Introduction to Aerial Photography

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Camera equipment and technical specifications
- Day 2: Understanding exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for aerial photography
- Day 3: Composition principles for aerial shots
- Day 4: Framing techniques and perspective considerations
- Day 5: Light and time of day considerations for aerial photography
- Practical Session: Capturing basic still images with drones
  
  10 xp
Week 4: Advanced Drone Flight Techniques

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Precision flying and obstacle avoidance
- Day 2: Flying in challenging conditions
- Day 3: Automated flight patterns for photography (orbit, dronie, reveal)
- Day 4: Waypoint navigation and mission planning
- Day 5: Tracking moving subjects
- Practical Session: Executing complex flight maneuvers
  
  10 xp
Week 5: Post-Processing Aerial Images

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Introduction to photo editing software for aerial photography
- Day 2: Color correction and white balance adjustment techniques
- Day 3: Advanced editing: perspective correction, noise reduction, and sharpening
- Day 4: Creating panoramas and HDR images from drone photos
- Day 5: Developing a consistent editing style
- Practical Session: Hands-on editing workshop with student photos
  
  10 xp
Week 6: Exploring Other Applications of Drones

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Introduction to aerial videography
- Day 2: Drones in agriculture and environmental monitoring
- Day 3: Surveying, mapping, and 3D modeling applications
- Day 4: Search and rescue operations
- Day 5: Emerging drone applications (delivery, infrastructure inspection)
- Guest Lecture: Industry professionals sharing real-world applications
  
  10 xp
Week 7: Legal and Ethical Considerations

7Lessons · 3 hrs 30 mins
- TRUST - The Recreational US Safety Test
- Day 1: Understanding drone regulations (FAA rules in the US or local equivalents)
- Day 2: Licensing requirements and certification processes
- Day 3: Privacy concerns and ethical drone operation
- Day 4: Insurance, liability, and risk management
- Day 5: International regulations and travel considerations
- Workshop: Registration and documentation preparation
  
  10 xp
Week 8: The Impact of AI on the Drone Industry

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Current AI implementations in consumer and professional drones
- Day 2: Obstacle avoidance systems and collision prevention
- Day 3: Autonomous flight capabilities and their practical applications
- Day 4: Computer vision applications for drones
- Day 5: Future trends in AI and drone technology
- Demonstration: Advanced autonomous drone functions
  
  10 xp
Week 9: Planning and Executing Aerial Photography Missions

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Location scouting and pre-visualization techniques
- Day 2: Weather forecasting tools and resources
- Day 3: Creating shot lists and flight plans
- Day 4: Working with clients and understanding their needs
- Day 5: Troubleshooting in the field
- Field Trip: On-location photography mission planning and execution
  
  10 xp
Week 10: Building a Drone Photography Portfolio

6Lessons · 3 hrs
- Day 1: Selecting and curating your best work
- Day 2: Building an online presence for drone photography
- Day 3: Pricing strategies and business models for drone services
- Day 4: Marketing your drone photography/videography services
- Day 5: Developing client relationships and contracts
- Workshop: Portfolio review and critique session
  
  10 xp
Week 11: Hands-On Project Week

2Lessons · 2 hrs 30 mins
- Week 11: Hands-On Project Week
- Practical Workshop
  
  10 xp
Week 12: Presentation and Review

4Lessons · 2 hrs 30 mins
- Day 1-2: Final project completion and preparation
- Day 3: Student presentations of final projects
- Day 4: Industry panel review and feedback
- Day 5: Course review, certification, and future opportunities
Certification

1Lessons · 30 mins
- Advanced Drone Pilot