Tips on Shooting Drone Photography from Phenom Drone Master Chase Guttman

Syracuse University from Above

According to a new study commissioned by Wakefield Research in partnership with Old Spice’s Hardest Working Collection, when it comes to carving out a stellar career, Millennial guys are feeling the pressure more than ever before. And contrary to popular belief, they are far from slackers and cry babies.

Meet drone master and award winning travel photographer, Chase Guttman. At just twenty years old, Guttman has been to all fifty states and more than 55 countries. And while according to the same study, 82% of millennial men admit to fibbing to make their experiences more exciting on social media, Guttman’s stunning images and brilliant aerial photography don’t lie. This Millennial is using his cell phone for much more than posting Snapchat stories and filtered selfies.

drone photography chase guttman 15 — 1. Pedro and his sombrero have lured generations of road-weary motorists to hours of Vegas-like diversions along the Carolina border.
2. Pedestrians saunter past twirling rides, as The Great New York State Fair becomes aglow in its evening hubbub.
3. Concrete beach balls and a Doo-Wop style sign marks the entrance to a seaside New Jersey community.
4. Herds of sheep brazenly graze green California pastures, leaving long trails in their hooved wake.
5. A jigsaw puzzle pattern of boats fills a bustling Los Angeles marina.
6. The morning sun casts ominous shadows among a cypress tree tunnel.
7. Vineyards twist through verdant pastures and stretch as far as the eye can see in the flower seed capital of the world.
8. Rich in Polynesian fantasy, over water bungalows are steeped in vibrantly tinted Tahitian seas.
9. Maid of the Mist journeys through the thundering veil of Horseshoe Falls, a 2,600-foot long waterfall spanning two nations.
10. Lengthy shadows give chase to hurried pedestrians stepping in mimmicked strides.
11. The Overseas Highway makes its seven-mile journey across acqua tinted waters and over Pigeon Key, an island that housed the workers that built this landmark railroad once coined the Eighth Wonder of the World.
12. Crowning a Mediterranean cliff, the Formentor Lighthouse stands atop a serpentine ribbon of Mallorcan asphalt.
13. Vehicles negotiate a series of dramatic hairpin turns along San Francisco’s Lombard Street — one of the crookedest lanes in the world.
14. Delivering the family Christmas tree, a red pick-up truck traces the curving contours of North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain.

drone photography chase guttman 14 — 1. Pedro and his sombrero have lured generations of road-weary motorists to hours of Vegas-like diversions along the Carolina border.
2. Pedestrians saunter past twirling rides, as The Great New York State Fair becomes aglow in its evening hubbub.
3. Concrete beach balls and a Doo-Wop style sign marks the entrance to a seaside New Jersey community.
4. Herds of sheep brazenly graze green California pastures, leaving long trails in their hooved wake.
5. A jigsaw puzzle pattern of boats fills a bustling Los Angeles marina.
6. The morning sun casts ominous shadows among a cypress tree tunnel.
7. Vineyards twist through verdant pastures and stretch as far as the eye can see in the flower seed capital of the world.
8. Rich in Polynesian fantasy, over water bungalows are steeped in vibrantly tinted Tahitian seas.
9. Maid of the Mist journeys through the thundering veil of Horseshoe Falls, a 2,600-foot long waterfall spanning two nations.
10. Lengthy shadows give chase to hurried pedestrians stepping in mimmicked strides.
11. The Overseas Highway makes its seven-mile journey across acqua tinted waters and over Pigeon Key, an island that housed the workers that built this landmark railroad once coined the Eighth Wonder of the World.
12. Crowning a Mediterranean cliff, the Formentor Lighthouse stands atop a serpentine ribbon of Mallorcan asphalt.
13. Vehicles negotiate a series of dramatic hairpin turns along San Francisco’s Lombard Street — one of the crookedest lanes in the world.
14. Delivering the family Christmas tree, a red pick-up truck traces the curving contours of North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain.

He’s already building a legendary career combining his love for travel and photography and the accolades are rolling in. He’s been named “Young Travel Photographer of the Year” three times, Top Travel Photographer by the New York Institute of Photography, a Best Travel Photography Blogger by USA Today, the Young Photographer’s Alliance Emerging Talent Award and Grand Prize in a National Geographic International Photography Competition. He was also this year’s recipient of the 2017 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Storytelling and Exploration. He accomplished all of this, attends Syracuse University’s prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and has written, The Handbook Of Drone Photography – A Complete Guide To The New Art Of Do-It-Yourself Aerial Photography.

It’s true, Chase Guttman might be just getting started, but he knows a thing or two about drone photography. Elevate your images with these tips from the master.

When it comes to getting your drone air born, Guttman urges new pilots to fly in GPS mode. “This is a lifesaving flight mode as it keeps the drone incredibly stable and still in the air, save any extreme weather or wind condition.”
Having an understanding for lighting and exposure will elevate your drone photography. “Because light is a crucial ingredient to every photograph, chasing and capturing dazzling light is a central pursuit for most professional photographers.” He suggests shooting during golden hour and blue hour. “Golden hour refers to the soft yellow-tinted light that fills the skies as the sun begins and ends its journey across the horizon. Each day as the sun rises and sets it has the potential to become almost magical. Before golden hour in the morning and after golden hour in the evenings, there is another special stage in the day’s light. This period, called blue hour is when vibrant blue hues take over the sky. Blue hour is wondrous because it’s one of the most reliable times when lighting is exceptional.”
“With drone photography, the pursuit of compositional excellence begins before you even take flight.” Guttman suggest researching your location, framing your focal points, practicing the law of thirds, searching for patterns, rhythm and repetition to create stunning overhead scenes.
Before putting your drone in the air, “Start from a place of inspiration. Follow aerial photographers on Instagram and find images through 500px, Flickr, or Google.” In fact, he suggests using Google Earth to see precisely what your aerial image might look like.
When you find that perfect location or subject, be sure to power up. “With one or more batteries you can explore the entirety of your environment and envision a shot list of notable perspectives, compositions and frames. If you aim to capture moving imagery as well, snag a third battery so you can fully devote your efforts to capturing cinematography.”