Top image from Shutterstock<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying that beautiful drone footage<\/strong> can add a tremendous amount of production value to your film project. After all, up until just a few years ago, aerial cinematography was reserved for only the highest budget films and commercial projects.<\/p>\n Cost-effective drones like the DJI Phantom 3<\/a> and Inspire 1<\/a> have opened up possibilities for filmmakers on a budget to achieve Hollywood blockbuster-looking results. That said, many indie productions end up actually hurting their production value by using drones, because they ignore the following 4 tips:<\/p>\n The vast majority of affordable drone cameras don\u2019t perform particularly well in certain conditions – namely low light. Do camera tests with your drone before using it on your next project to know its breaking point, and never just assume it\u2019ll perform well in low-light situations. If you truly need a low-light aerial camera, consider renting a bigger rig that can handle a RED<\/a> or similar camera.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a video featuring the DJI Phantom 3 at ISO 1600. Clearly the overall quality of the image isn\u2019t ideal:<\/p>\n1. Understand Your Camera\u2019s Limitations<\/h3>\n