Why I Use a DJI Flip for Painting References
As a landscape painter, I’ve always worked from ground-level photography or direct observation. But when I briefly stepped into the world of video production, I saw something that changed my entire approach: the world above.
With my DJI Flip, I now scout and film aerial painting references that offer completely new perspectives. Flying low over rivers or high above tree canopies helps me capture composition, lighting, and texture that simply isn’t visible from the ground.
What Is D-Log and Why I Film in It
If you’ve ever seen D-Log footage straight from the drone, it might look underwhelming—flat, gray, even dull. But D-Log is designed that way. It preserves a broad dynamic range so you can color grade your footage later, pulling out the mood and tone that best fits your creative vision.
In my case, I use DaVinci Resolve to turn that flat image into something painterly and full of drama. This allows me to paint not just what I saw—but what I felt.
Where I Fly: Scouting Landscapes for Art
I’m currently filming in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, scouting locations like:
- Old-growth forests
- Rolling hills and open fields
- Rivers with morning mist
- Rocky terrain and desert light
I look for places that already feel like a painting—but offer something new when seen from above.
First Flight, First Lesson: A Near Crash
On my very first flight dedicated to painting, I had a Return-To-Home fail—the drone tried to auto-ascend and return through a tree canopy. It hit branches, flipped, and somehow landed unharmed.
I learned that pre-flight settings matter—and I’m now exploring how to manually override auto-return behavior to keep future shoots (and gear) safe.
From Drone Footage to Painting Studio
Here’s a brief version of my workflow:
- Fly the DJI Flip and film in D-Log at golden hour
- Import to DaVinci Resolve and apply a cinematic color grade
- Export stills from video to use as painting references
- Sketch and compose the painting in my studio
- Paint with a new sense of elevation and space
What’s Next: A Series of Drone-Inspired Paintings
This post is just the beginning. I’ll be launching a new series of landscape paintings based on drone footage, each piece reflecting the layered emotion and composition of cinematic scenes.
I’ll also be sharing behind-the-scenes drone flights, color grading walkthroughs, and painting progress videos on my YouTube channel and Instagram.
From Sky to Studio—Experience of Nature
📌
If you’re an artist curious about using drone footage for your work—or a drone pilot curious about the artistic side of aerial video—follow along. Subscribe to the blog, YouTube, or drop a comment with your favorite drone filming locations.