Here in the Parrot Print offices, we’ve been ooh-ing and aah-ing over some fantastic photographs from the National Geographic drone photography competition and whether they would look great, as images on canvas. If you’ve not seen the photos, you can check them out in this article from the BBC.

Photographers took these stunning aerial shots with the help of some rather clever machines, but we thought it might be nice to run through some dos and don’ts for taking photographs from a height. Many of the panoramic canvas prints that we create on behalf of customers feature aerial scenes or stunning scenery depicted from above.

So, if you fancy trying your hand at some high-end photography, read on…

Play with your position

In our recent cycling photography blog post we mentioned how height can add a new dimension to your images. While we wouldn’t insist you carry a ladder with you at all times, giving yourself a step up and exploring several different vantage points is a really good idea. This might mean perching on the end of a wall or standing on top of a rock if you don’t have an extra kit to hand. Or, instead of standing at the bottom of a beautiful building and photographing upwards, get in the lift, go to the top and shoot the other way round. For cities that are well photographed this can often offer you a slightly more unique photograph. Photographing in this way can also highlight your areas of interest on the ground, which you may then decide to shoot closer up.

Get yourself up there

If you want to mimic the style of some of the drone shots, you’ll have to be a little more adventurous with your positioning. You could try photographing from cable cars or if you are lucky, shoot from a helicopter. Many of the most visited cities in the world like New York have established firms that offer the opportunity to view and capture the scenery from above.

Think people as well as places

In the National Geographic drone competition landscapes were not the only photography subject; the second place photograph features a group of people in a park in Manila, shot at a slightly lower altitude.  Aerial shots like this are a great way of capturing more people in photographs, often allowing you to capture more expressions in wedding photos and giving a chance to snap that all-important cap throwing in graduation photos.

Work with your camera

If you have the option of a panoramic mood use it, while this might not be suitable for all shots, it’s great for traditional landscapes and cityscapes as it helps you create even lighting.  This is because it prevents the camera from altering exposure settings in between your shots. If you’re taking panoramic prints to transfer to canvas, be especially mindful to keep your camera level to avoid distortion.

Finally, don’t forget to consider your own safety when working up a height! It’s easy to get caught up in capturing the perfect shot, so don’t disregard common sense – consider risk as well as opportunity.

Have you shot anything breathtaking or death-defying or just used a ladder to achieve new results? Share your experiences of images on canvas, with us below!