Series: Learn Drones From Zero → Pro
By SpeedyDrone Canada

🎯 1. ActiveTrack — Intelligent Subject Tracking

DJI’s ActiveTrack uses computer vision to follow a subject:

✅ Best Use Cases:

• Walking/hiking footage (from behind or side)

• Car following in open areas

• Orbiting a moving subject

• Dynamic selfies with motion

🧠 Tips for Success:

• Use Trace mode for behind tracking

• Use Parallel mode for side tracking

• Keep the subject well-lit and contrasty

• Avoid cluttered environments (trees, poles)

• Set obstacle avoidance ON in settings

💡 Best on Mini 5 Pro, Air 3, Mavic 3 series

🗺️ 2. Waypoints — Automated Flight Planning

With Waypoint mode, you can pre-plan a flight path:

• Select locations on the map

• Set altitude, speed, gimbal angle, and actions

• Replay the same path later — perfect for seasonal changes, sunrise/sunset comparison, or mapping

✈️ Pro Use:

• Scouting farms, orchards, or large areas

• Real estate flyovers

• Smooth cinematic reveals

🧭 Start simple — 2-3 waypoints only
Some drones (like Mini 5 Pro) now support Waypoints in photo/video mode

🎥 3. POI (Point of Interest)

POI mode lets your drone orbit around a subject automatically.

Best used for:

• Buildings

• Statues

• People standing still

• Parked cars, lighthouses, or scenic lookouts

Setup:

• Fly to desired radius

• Lock POI on screen

• Choose rotation direction + speed

• Add gimbal tilt (for pro look)

🌀 Combine POI with ND filters for cinematic parallax effect
Practice slow orbiting with consistent height and speed

🕰️ 4. Timelapse (Hyperlapse Mode)

Turn real-time movement into a compressed cinematic sequence.

Types:

• Free Mode – fly manually while capturing

• Circle – rotates around a subject

• Course Lock – locks heading, moves in one direction

• Waypoints – smoothest and most professional

🔧 Settings to Know:

• Interval: 2–5 sec

• Duration: 5–10 min for best results

• Shutter speed: stick to 1/2 – 1 sec with ND filters

☁️ Clouds, traffic, shadows, and people work great
Requires patience and stability — use calm weather

🚀 5. QuickShots (But Use Like a Pro)

Many beginners love QuickShots but don’t go beyond presets.

Modes:

• Dronie

• Rocket

• Helix

• Circle

• Boomerang

• Asteroid

⚡ Pro Tip:

• Use QuickShot as a starting point

• Then cancel mid-flight and take over control manually

• This gives you smooth cinematic exit from QuickShot to freestyle flight

🔄 Combine Modes for Creative Control

📽️ Always review footage — autonomous doesn’t mean perfect. Small corrections help a lot.

✅ Summary: Fly Smarter, Not Harder

Autonomous modes aren’t “cheats” — they’re creative tools when used intentionally.

• ActiveTrack: great for motion

• Waypoints: great for repeatability

• POI: cinematic orbits

• Timelapse: time compression

• QuickShots: preset motion tricks

🎯 Combine with ND filters + good lighting + manual control to reach pro-level storytelling.

🔜 Next Time: Episode 12 — Flying in Different Environments

• Coastal flying tips

• Flying over water

• Forest and mountain flying

• Urban precautions

• Canadian wind & weather insights

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