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Editing your RAW Drone Photos in Apple Photos

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Note- A Mavic Pro was used for these photos – but the advice given will apply to most all DJI drones and to some other brands.
This article is for Beginners and Advanced Beginners – those who know their imaging will likely already have other programs (Lightroom, etc.) that process their RAW and other photos. This article involves editing with the free (included) MacOS program “Apple Photos”, formerly called iPhoto.

What is RAW?

RAW is a photographic file type – one that takes as much as possible of the information from the camera sensor and stores it in a larger (usually 5X the size in bytes) format than the JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) that most are familiar with. Most DJI Equipment now allows you to set the Photo type as RAW…or, as both RAW and JPEG at the same time. In the later case, the Drone will take and store two photos – one processed with your JPEG settings and one RAW.

Should you use RAW as your Photo file type?

This is an open question. If you do a lot of work on your photos after you download them (this is called post-processing), then RAW is the preferred format due to it containing more actual light and color information…which then gives you more to work with. However, if the majority of your work is “as-is” or only slightly adjusted afterwards (crop, light, etc.), then the JPEG format should work fine. However, it will benefit you to check and test the JPEG photo settings on your machine before you take it into the field. DJI provides various options – I currently use “Landscape” on my Mavic Pro and the result are quite good. Reports from the field indicate that DJI has occasionally changed these settings with firmware updates, so it’s important that you check to make sure the photos are satisfactory before doing any important flights. This can be done by checking the settings in the DJI Go (4) app while connected to the Drone – and also taking a couple photos outdoors. I just hover a few feet above my house and do so, but you could also do it hand held. Make certain to touch the screen to focus and try to take a sample photo of something at a distance – then inspect it closely on your computer or any larger screen.

RAW Photos will often look “washed out” compared to JPEGS – this is because JPEGS are automatically improved inside the camera. In other words, the basic work (sharpening, brightening, colors popping) is done for you – whereas with RAW you have to do the post-processing.

Up until recently, working with RAW files often meant you needed expensive programs like Lightroom – and also the education on using them. However, the free (included) Apple Photos App on Macs now has the ability to process these files. Following is a short tutorial on editing RAW (and other) photos in Apple Photos.

Selecting a Photo in Apple Photos

The screenshot below shows part of a typical Apple Photos “Photos” screen. These Photos have been imported from the Micro-SD card plugged into an adapter on my Mac. The thumbnails which have a “J” at the upper left also show a second shadow behind that “J” – this indicates that both a JPEG and a RAW copy of the photo are in the program. If nothing is shown, that means only a JPEG exists – if the upper left only contains an “R”, that means only a RAW photo was taken. Note that RAW photos will have a .DNG (or .dng) extension.  [Read more…]

Parrot SWING VTOL Drone – First Look and Review

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Introduction

I recently purchased a Parrot Swing VTOL Drone (quadcopter) along with the Bluetooth Controller pad. The Swing is remarkable in that it is very different than any Drone currently on the market…due to the VTOL abilities. For the uninitiated, that means it can take off and land (and fly) like a quadcopter, but it has X-shaped wings which can then allow it to fly like an airplane. VTOL will be a big part of the future of drones due to the longer distances and larger payloads they will be able to haul.

Let’s be very clear – the Parrot Swing is a “toy grade model” with brushed motors, yet at the same time it’s head and shoulders above any toy grade machine I’ve ever operated. It has many options – flying forwards, backwards, at different angles and even programmable flights (looks, circles, etc.

It can be operated with a mobile phone attached – or not. The mobile device is mostly for settings and other such monitoring and changes since it does not have a front facing camera. There is a tiny (and poor quality) camera on the rear which is part of the “ground sensing” system. In other words, it has a “VPS system” using sound waves and the rear camera to allow it to know when it is close to the ground – an option usually only seen on much more expensive machines.

At launch the Parrot Swing sold for approx. $130, but they have now come down to about 50% of that price. Refurbs can be purchased for even less, sometimes as low as $40 or less. You’ll have to buy at least one extra battery to get the hang of this machine as you don’t want to have to go out to the field and have only 10-12 minutes of flying.

Note: the Youtube Video Embedded at the bottom of this article will repeat a lot of the written information here – and go much further into some details. You’ll see the model in flight and get a much better idea of how it works!

Parrot Swing (new) at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pHi7xF

Parrot Swing Refurb at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pHi7xF

3 pack generic batteries and charger – https://amzn.to/2pHi7xF

Who and What it is for

The Parrot Swing is not a camera drone or a “FPV or Racing model. It is unique and the VTOL aspect is the major feature. [Read more…]

DJI Introduces new Drones and More in NYC on Jan 23, 2017

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Want to be the first to order a Mavic Air – try this link – UNITS ARE NOW SHIPPING DIRECT FROM DJI.

As per the rumors, the release is called the Mavic Air and is very similar to the description below. It is smaller than any other system of it’s type – 1/2 the size of the Mavic Pro and weighs 41% less – yet it has the same (and many better) features.

21 Minutes of flight time – and a range of over 2 miles. Wind resistance has been improved – to 22 MPH. As first mentioned, this could be called a vastly improved Spark or a downsized Mavic Pro – with, of course, the extra features.
Price? Only $799 for the basic package including the R/C Controller, prop guards, single battery, etc.
For $999 you get 3 total batteries, a multi-charger, a case and some other accessories.
DJI claims that a number of accessories and add-ons will be available in the coming weeks.

100 mpbs 4K Video is included – this is a much higher rate (quality for video) than most other consumer drones. Panoramas are automatic – just the tap of a button to shoot a 32 MP Pano. An HDR setting is included.

The Camera and Gimbal are quite advanced – 8Gig of memory is built in, so if you forget your MicroSD card you can still take stills and video. The Camera has been improved and recessed back into the drone for extra protection.

Want to be the first to order a Mavic Air – try this link – delivery is in just a few short weeks.

Palm and Gesture control have been updated and are much more responsive.

The Mavic Air is shown below:

DJI sent us an invitation to a “launch” event which will feature the unveiling of some new products. Unfortunately, I will be at 39,000 feet in a real flying machine on that day – but DJI has promised to send along ALL the Press Material. In addition, we have many contacts within the industry who will be attending and sharing their opinions with us.

The rumored new machine is a cross between the Spark and the Mavic Pro. Specifically, it addresses the shortcomings of the Spark (Camera, short flight times) and improves on some aspects by being able to fold like the Mavic Pro. A more compact headset may be available which will not scare the neighbors as much as the older model.

So – if the rumors are true, what is being introduced is a Mavic Pro which is smaller, less expensive and perhaps has some additional features. Since the Mavic Pro is the best selling drone in history, this makes perfect sense..

See and/or order what has been introduced: Want to be the first to order a Mavic Air – try this link – The Mavic Air is shipping immediately from DJI direct.

Price: $799 with the R/C Controller and a single battery – $999 for a more complete package with extra batteries, a case, a multi-battery charger and more. This means you can now have a better, smaller and more capable Mavic Pro….for less than the cost of a Mavic Pro.

Range is given as 2.5 Miles – less than the original Mavic Pro. However, very few pilots use their craft out to this distance.

Note: For the initial shipments, the Mavic Air is available only through DJI Direct. By the end of February it should be at most outlets such as Best Buy, the Apple Store, Amazon, Etc.

Buyers should compare this with other models – it definitely is the most compact in terms of size and weight given the 4K high-res capabilities. However, the Mavic Pro has longer range and very similar image quality for most uses. Those needed better imaging should look at the Phantom Pro line with the 1″ Sony Sensor.

Drone Sales Forecasts released by CTA

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July, 2016

The CTA (Consumer Technology Association) has released their projections for the US and worldwide Drone market for the years 2016-2020. Droneflyers.com was proud to provide essential data and consulting to the CTA (produces of the CES Show in Las Vegas) in order to help them provide the most accurate projections possible.

After studying their new report we conclude that they did a fine job in comparison to their earlier models. Here are some of the highlights and some editorial on their projections and the market in general.

Highlights – and some of our opinions!

The US represents approx. 25% of all Consumer Drone revenue worldwide. This figure is probably lower than the former 30% as the ROW (Rest of World), especially China and Europe, increase in sales and importance.
[Read more…]