There’s just something about looking straight down on the Earth from high above. It’s a unique view that we rarely get to see. Quadcopter Drones have given many people a new perspective on the world. This vantage point makes for beautiful art if you know what to look for.

Here’s a video going over the process, but keep reading below for a text version of the explanation.

The great thing about this style is that you don’t need a high end camera to take these pictures since detail isn’t the goal. An entry level, hobbyist drone, or FPV (first person view) drone are all great places to start. All the photos on this post were taken with one of DJI’s least expensive cameras, the DJI Mini 2 or the older Mini 1

Top-Down Photography, or as I like to call it, Abstract Aerial Photography, is a style where you point your drone’s camera straight down. This usually works best when there are interesting patterns or lines such as creeks, train tracks, streets, or bike trails. Other great options are city streets with their square patterns or moss covered marshes.

Try to find juxtaposing materials or colors to give your photo more personality. Here the white sharp trees contrast the smooth brown grass on the opposite sides of the creek.

By looking straight down, you eliminate perspective clues making it harder for the eye to recognize what it’s looking at. This also serves to make the photo more comfortable to look at. If there is a shift in perspective, it can be distracting.

Photograph during high noon or on overcast days to reduce the amount of shadows. This will flatten the image and make it harder for the eye to discern immediately what it’s looking at.

When editing, it’s okay to break the rules. Feel free to go heavy on the vibrancy, sharpness, contrast, clarity, and texture. You don’t have to keep things looking real with this style.