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Drone photography and videography are fun, but there is a steep learning curve to knowing how to do it well. Editing software is designed to help you get the most out of your creative drone endeavors, and fix any mistakes you’ve made.
In our article about drone photography, we mentioned that it can be difficult to dial in the correct settings and shoot the perfect picture on-site.
Even if you’re incredibly skilled at setting up the perfect shots with a drone, you’ll want some software to help spruce up your photos and videos.
An Overview of Photo Editing Software
Photo editing software is available and easy to find. Most photo editing software can get the job done. The things that set the great editors apart from the rest are features like:
- Wireless upload
- Tools for improving sharpness
- Ability to quickly process images
Most photo editing software will let you change things like:
- Cropping and angle of the photo
- Whitebalance
- Exposure
- Clarity
- Contrast
The list of features could go on and on. With the right editing software, anyone with an artful eye can take high-level photos and videos with their drone
Learn more about editing and photography tricks for beginners.
Editing at Scale
When it comes to photo editing software, you should consider the scale you’ll be working with. If you plan on editing hundreds of photos at a time you’ll need something that lets you easily and quickly edit photos easily or in batches.
Many drone companion apps come with a function that lets you download footage to your phone easily. That paired with easy-to-use software makes it easy to quickly take and edit photos.
The Best Photo Editing Software For Drone Pilots
There is no distinction between drone photo editing software, and regular photo editing software. Even the photo editor on your phone can get your photos into tip-top shape.
For basic and large-project editing, Adobe Lightroom is the industry standard easy-to-use photo editor that keeps your photos in an easy-to-access library.
If you’re looking to splice up your photos and create wholly new looking images, Adobe Photoshop is an option. However, Photoshop can get to be very expensive, so some experts recommend programs like Photopea or GIMP. These programs are a bit less organized than Lightroom, but if you’re using them for projects here and there, they’re much more manageable.
Video Editing Software
Drones can shoot unique videos you can’t get any other way. Instead of using a dolly or crane, drones can fly anywhere to capture the perfect shot.
Video editing software lets you combine videos together to create a story or cohesive vision. With the unique look of drone footage, it’s fairly easy to create something that will impress.
Best Video Editing Software For Drone Pilots
Video editing software for drone footage is not much different than typical video editing software. However, there are some options that are made specifically for drones. The best video editing software for drones includes:
- LightCut: This is DJI’s recommended video editor. It’s easy to use and a great option if you’re looking for a way to edit videos on the go. It’s an app that lets you connect your phone directly to your drone. It’s also free, so if you have a DJI drone, there’s no reason not to check it out.
- Davinci Resolve: If you want to edit your footage using the same program Hollywood editors use, this is for you. It’s a powerhouse of a program that can do everything you’ll need and a lot more. The best part is, it’s free.
- Final Cut Pro: If you’re considering turning your drone hobby into a business, and you have a Mac, Final Cut Pro is an option. This program is used by many professionals, is very powerful, and is a one-time purchase.
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Once again, Adobe offers a staple program for professionals and hobbyists. Premiere Pro is the industry standard software for video editing.
- CapCut: For on-the-fly edits in a mobile app, CapCut is the most popular option. It’s user-friendly, template-based, and available for most mobile devices. The best drone software to use for drone footage will be balanced between cost and features you actually want to use.
360º Video Editors
360º videos are a newer immersive way to record and create videos.
To create these videos, you need to have a 360º, or omnidirectional, camera. These cameras shoot video from all directions. These cameras can be built into a drone, but there are also attachments that turn any drone into a 360º camera.
While shooting with a 360º camera, you won’t need to worry about composition. You can focus on the flying first, then frame the video while editing.
As 360º videos become more common, editing programs are starting to improve their 360º editing capabilities. Depending on what program you choose, you may need a third party plugin to let you reframe the 360º videos.
The Best 360º Video Editing Software
The free version of Davinci Resolve has VR editing capability and the Karta VR plugin is a free-to-use plugin that lets you reframe 360º videos easily. However it can be a steep learning curve.
If you have an insta360 camera, the Insta360 Studio is an incredibly easy to use reframing tool. It’s free to use and has an easy to use interface.
Dive Into Drones With Pilot Institute Courses
Learning how to fly your drone with ease will improve your capabilities of creating compelling and interesting photos and videos.
The Regional Economic Development Center at Yavapai College offers free deep dive courses on various drones. Start learning about drones for free and improve your drone skills.
Enroll in our Drone Photo and Video Masterclass, or browse our full aviation course catalog and start learning today.