Description
How To Fly And Photograph Responsibly
Drone photography opens up perspectives the camera alone never could. With that comes responsibility: respecting wildlife, local rules, and the places we’re lucky enough to fly in. I’ve written about my views on this elsewhere, and they apply just as much to how I teach drone photography as they do to how I share locations.
This ebook covers the technique you’d expect: settings, composition, light, and workflow. It also covers the decisions that come with flying well. When the conditions are right. How to stay clear of nesting birds. Why following local rules matters even when no one is watching. The technical chapters and the responsibility framing belong together, because the best drone photography is grounded in both.
If that approach resonates, you’re in the right place.
Learn Drone Photography Step by Step
Drone photography can feel overwhelming at first. From understanding camera settings to composing images from above, there are many moving parts that can quickly lead to frustration.
This drone photography e-book simplifies the entire process into a clear, step-by-step system. You will learn how to set up your drone for the best image quality, how to work with light in aerial photography, and how to compose images that feel intentional rather than random. Instead of relying on trial and error, you’ll understand exactly why certain images work and how to recreate them consistently.
What’s Inside The Drone Photography E-Book
- A 125-page PDF with detailed explanations and plenty of examples
- Which drone to get for photography, with a table of available models
- The settings and configuration options that matter for image quality
- Skills and tips you can apply on your next flight
- Accessories worth buying, and what not to buy at all
- How to research locations for drone photography
- How to compose with a drone, with Jeroen’s thought process on real examples
- Planning ahead for a shoot: weather and battery usage
- Bracketing, HDR panoramas and how to stitch them together, including fixing distorted panoramas
- The challenges you might face and the common mistakes to avoid
Who This E-Book Is For
It’s for photographers who want to get more out of a drone, whether that’s a first Mini or a Mavic that’s been in the bag for years. It runs in the order you’d work: what to know before you fly (rules, choosing a drone, hardware, configuring it), preparing a flight (locations, weather, batteries), composing aerial photographs, then camera settings, bracketing, HDR panoramas and creating the final image. The principles work on any drone with manual exposure control, so you don’t need an expensive one. The techniques work on sub-250 gram drones like the DJI Mini series and DJI Flip as well as they do on a Mavic.
Written From The Field, Kept Up To Date
Jeroen has flown drones above erupting volcanoes in Iceland, among the icebergs of Greenland and across the landscapes of Antarctica. The e-book comes from that work. It has been updated several times, most recently on 23/04/2026, and every purchase always gets the latest version. Buyers can download the new version again from My Account.
How It Fits With The Masterclass
The e-book is the read-at-your-own-pace option. The Drone Photography Masterclass is a video course Jeroen made with Nigel Danson, with more than 55 videos. The E-Book Bundle pairs the two e-books at a lower price.
Drone Photography Workflow: From Flight to Final Image
Great drone photography doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of a clear workflow that starts even before take-off and continues all the way through to the final edited image.
The first step is planning. Before you even launch your drone, it’s important to think about light, weather and location. Understanding when to fly is just as important as knowing how to fly.
Once in the air, your focus shifts to capturing the image. This is where camera settings and composition come together. Using the best settings for drone photography and using HDR panorama techniques help you maintain maximum image quality. At the same time, looking for patterns, leading lines and strong subjects will transform your photos from simple snapshots into intentional aerial compositions.
Another key part of the workflow is slowing down. Instead of taking random shots, take the time to adjust your position, refine your framing and experiment with different angles. Small changes in height or direction can dramatically improve your composition.
The final step is editing. Even the best drone photos benefit from careful post-processing. Adjusting contrast, color balance and sharpness in tools like Lightroom allows you to bring out the full potential of your images while keeping them natural and realistic.
If you want to consistently take better drone photos, having a structured workflow is essential. In the e-book, Jeroen breaks down the whole process step by step, from planning and camera settings to composition and creating the final image, so you can apply it in the field with confidence.
Start Learning Drone Photography Today!
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, this drone photography e-book provides a complete aerial photography guide to help you take better drone photos in any environment. With practical techniques, real-world experience and step-by-step guidance, it’s designed to help you improve quickly and confidently.
Download the e-book instantly and start applying these drone photography tips in the field.
Discover Jeroen’s Drone Photography Blogs
For those looking to dive deeper into drone photography, Jeroen’s blog features a collection of in-depth articles covering real-world techniques, camera settings and creative approaches. Drawing from years of experience photographing volcanoes, glaciers and remote Arctic landscapes, these guides offer practical insights to help photographers improve their aerial images step by step.
Common Questions About The Drone Photography E-Book
Is this e-book for beginners or experienced drone pilots?
Both. The first chapters cover what to know before you fly: regulations, choosing a drone, hardware and configuring it. Then comes preparing a flight and composition. The last chapter goes deeper on camera settings, bracketing, HDR panoramas and stitching, which is where experienced pilots will get the most. You can read it top to bottom or jump to the chapter you need.
Which drones does it cover?
The principles apply to any drone with manual exposure control. It doesn’t have a chapter for any one drone. The table of available models lists the DJI Mini 5 Pro, DJI Mavic 4 Pro, DJI Flip and the DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1.
Do I need an expensive drone?
No. The techniques work on sub-250 gram drones like the DJI Mini series and DJI Flip as well as on a Mavic. The e-book is about how you shoot, not what you shoot with.
What format is it, and how do I download it?
It’s a PDF, not a physical book. After purchase you get a download link that can be used 10 times, so you can keep a copy on your laptop, tablet and phone. Future updates are included with every purchase.
Can I share it or get a refund?
The e-book is for personal use only, so please don’t share it. Jeroen spent a lot of time and effort creating it. Digital goods such as e-books can’t be returned, according to the shop FAQ. If something goes wrong with your download, get in touch with Jeroen.
How is it different from the Drone Photography Masterclass?
The masterclass is a video course with more than 55 videos, made with Nigel Danson. The e-book is the text version you read at your own pace and reference chapter by chapter.
Good To Know
Disclaimer
This is not a physical book but an e-book (PDF). The e-book is for personal use only. Please do not share this e-book as Jeroen has spent a lot of time, energy and effort creating it. The download link can be used 10 times.
Latest Updates To This E-Book
This e-book has been updated in the past and might be updated in the future. Every purchase will always get access to the latest version of the e-book.
- 23/04/2026: Added information on f-stop Drone Case XL, DJI Lito 1 & DJI Lito X1 while removing DJI Mini 2 and DJI Mini 2 SE.
- 17/09/2025: Added information on DJI Mini 5 Pro
- 13/05/2025: Added information on DJI Mavic 4 Pro & DJI Power charging stations and fixed a few typos.
- 14/01/2025: Added information on DJI Flip.
GPSR
- Manufacturer : JVN Photography ehf., Andrésbrunnur 10, 113 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Age guidelines: For adults
- Warranty (consumer-sales only): 2 years
DISCOUNT
The Drone Photography Masterclass – Video Course
Nigel Danson & Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove‘s complete drone photography video masterclass will explore everything you need to know to start creating the best aerial photographs using any type of drone in more than 55 videos. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced drone pilot, this video course contains a vast amount of information to level up your drone photography skills.
Wolfgang Jäkel / www.wjaekel-foto.de (verified owner) –
This ebook is an excellent, comprehensive guide to all aspects of drone photography for nature photographers – from preliminary considerations, legal requirements, detailed composition tips and guidelines, additionally illustrated with stunning example photos, to camera settings and sophisticated, advanced panoramic photography techniques including AEB. Numerous further links and tips on common mistakes and difficulties round off this impressive ebook. It’s also ideal as an outdoor companion and reference book, especially for beginners or drone pilots with limited practice who don’t fly drones and take challenging panoramic shots on a daily basis. It is simply the best, compact guide I have seen to date.
Dean Miller –
Finding this book and learning about the master class came at the right for me, having just purchased my first drone. The course and e-book has helped me to get to grips with, flying the drone, using the various camera functions and then processing the images. I am very pleased with the results I have been getting. Without either the master class or the e-book getting to grips with the drone would have taken a great deal more time, so it really did help me progress to a confident level. Thank you, well worth every penny.
Jon Ames (verified owner) –
This book is great. First of all, it is very useful. As I don’t get to use my drone as often as I would like, it is helpful to come back to the book for tips and reminders. Secondly, there are some beautiful photographs and so it is a pleasure to read.
Jeroen Gieskes (verified owner) –
This Ebook from Jeroen is really a great addition to my drone photography. Jeroen describes everything from the start, when your in the phase of buying your first drone, how to configure it, but also making photos with your drone and how to process the raw photos.
It has helped me a lot in bringing my drone photos the next level. And still there are topics to explore.
It is not only a reading book but also a guide/study book to learn new skills. A must have for every drone photographer.
Mark Romine (verified owner) –
An excellent e-book on drone flying for all of the EU not just Iceland. A complete run down on drone regulations, classifications and guidelines for the EU. Jeroen makes them simple and understandable. Good tips on flying in Iceland weather along with some helpful weather apps.
Jeroen also provides great info on shooting panos both horizontal and vertical and lots of other great tips for general photography. I review various portions of this book from time to time. It reminds me of things that I have forgotten that are both practical and helpful for safe flying anywhere in the world. This book was totally worth the cost and I highly recommend it.
Barry Korzen (verified owner) –
Excellent book with great photos and descriptions.