Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

WOW.....now I see what you are referring to. These are super interesting images and the view is wild.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

In short, yes they are. However - I think you did good in buying a lesser drone so that you do learn to fly, and learn to handle situations that arise with aircraft of any type (and they will). Like any radio control vehicle, there is a lot more to it than twiddling the sticks, or turning a steering wheel. When you do step into the world of pro-drone with real processors, GPS-Waypoint pathways, and the correct radio operating frequencies for your downlink you will be better prepared.

VLOS with a solid downlink is great for local flying, but the first time you lose that link and are unsure of your orientation, you may lose that drone, or crash into something or someone. I won't "drone on", but when you move up stay away from anything utilizing 5.8GHZ for your live video feed downlink, it will fail you the first time anything substantial gets in between you and the drone. That is when the anxiety sets in!!

The control system of the drone is usually 2.4GHZ, or lower frequency, so you still have flight control, which is fine if you can see the drone, or have setup the failsafe and return to home functions. If you do equip your current drone with a small 5.8GHZ camera and transmitter (which is really cheap and easy to do, providing it is up to the added weight) you will know to avoid the situation I just described.

You could add a small transmitter/camera combo, and a receiver/viewscreen to your current drone for something less than $100.00 with parts from Ebay, and a cheap backup camera viewscreen, or a cheap goggle set. I've put several on a pair of (formally wifi) Dromida XL drones that are actually fairly stable flyers and they have "Altitude Hold", the video feed to my goggles or a larger viewscreen is pretty darn good, but they are 5.8GHZ, so I fly them in the open.

When you are ready, DJI is probably the best way to go, they have a solid rep and a large supporting community. Have fun!!

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Unfortunately, they are definitely becoming more difficult to use. Not only banned in all national parks, but here in Arizona they are also banned in the state parks. Not making any value judgements, but simply saying that, while I have a nice set-up and know how to use it, I'm finding it more and more difficult to find interesting places that I would legally be allowed to photograph.

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

There is section for Drone video and photography here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-124-1.html

D-Train Loc: Bend, Oregon

I originally posted this in the main photography discussion category and the moderators moved it here. I got a PM advising me of this. I wasn’t sure of the proper place to post this. I didn’t take the pictures myself. Maybe that’s not a requirement? Anyway, I figured I was posting more to start a discussion about drone photography rather than to show off pictures, that’s why I posted it in the main discussion category.

woodweasel Loc: bellingham Wa

Outstanding set

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

Yes, they are. I have the DJI Mavic 2 Pro with Hasselblad camera. The new better drones have Obstacle Avoidance. Just as the label implies, they sense objects before impact and move around or above them.