Akil Henley shares on what you need to know about drones

In the modern photography industry, you cannot mention aerial photography without drones. They are a significant technological advancement that has changed the way many view photography.

Though familiar now, Akil Henley, a professional aerial photographer, feels that there is much that the public, including the photographers, don’t understand about drones. Akil is an American photographer and social media influencer from Bronx, New York City who goes by the name Traveldronelife. He is also a content creator who incorporates a lot of creativity in his works. Some of his works have made it to the global scene through reposts by various popular Instagram pages such as the NYC page and Eiffel Tower page. Akil received a lot of love on social media when one of his photos he captured during France protests was used as the cover image on various publications when it was first reposted by the Eiffel Tower page. Akil also worked with Elizabeth Sutton, a well-known NYC artist when his photographs were reposted by the NYC page. Akil uses drones to capture all his pictures, thus becoming well-versed in the use of drones.

According to Akil, anyone can buy a drone as there are no restrictions to ownership. But before you consider buying one, he advises that you should have interest and purpose for the drone. It’s not just any other toy you can purchase randomly from the shop. Plan and carefully consider if you need one.

Once you have made the decision that you truly need to acquire a drone, here are some of the critical things to consider during purchase,

• The size and life of the battery

By now, you should be aware that drones use reusable batteries that should be charged regularly. The battery lifespan indicates the duration you will be able to use the drone, after which you must recharge it. More significantly, cross-check the battery’s charging time. This will help you understand how frequently you will need to replace the battery.

• Type of camera

Some drones come with inbuilt cameras and are the best to go for when making a purchase. Video resolution, megapixels, zoom capabilities, among other camera features should be top of your checklist.

• Warranty and other incentives

A good drone seller should provide you with a warranty that guarantees the perfect use of the product for a fixed time. A warranty also serves as proof of purchase from a seller and might be useful in case of future repair and replacement.

The next vital step is to ensure you register your drone with the relevant authorities before you start flying the drone. In some states, registration goes to the extent of getting a drone registration number.

You should carefully crosscheck your drone for terms such as RTF, ARF, or BNF. 

• RTF implies that you will have to attach propellers before flying. 
• ARF indicates that the drone is entirely constructed and ready to fly. 
• BNF implies that you have to buy a separate controller despite the drone being completely assembled.  

To get more insight from Akil on aerial photography, drones and to see some of his incredible shots, you can check out his Instagram page.