Ever felt that sting of disappointment? You land your drone after capturing what you thought was a breathtaking sunset, but on your computer, the image looks… well, a bit flat. The vibrant oranges and deep purples you saw with your own eyes are muted, and the shadows are just black blobs. If that sounds familiar, I’m here to tell you there’s a simple switch in your drone’s settings that can change everything. Learning How To Take Drone Photos In Raw Format is the single most important step you can take to elevate your aerial photography from simple snapshots to professional-grade art.
This isn’t just another technical setting to learn; it’s the key to unlocking your drone camera’s true potential. We’re going to break down exactly what RAW is, why it’s a game-changer, and provide a clear, step-by-step guide to get you started.
What’s the Big Deal with RAW Anyway?
So, what is this “RAW” format everyone raves about? To put it simply, a RAW file is the unprocessed, uncompressed image data straight from your drone’s camera sensor. It’s the digital equivalent of a film negative.
Think of it like cooking. A JPEG is like a pre-made microwave meal. The camera manufacturer has already seasoned it, cooked it, and packaged it for you. It’s quick and convenient, but you have very little control over the final flavor. A RAW file, on the other hand, is like a basket of fresh, raw ingredients. You—the chef—get to decide exactly how to season, cook, and present the final dish. You have complete creative control.
When your drone saves a photo as a JPEG, it makes a ton of decisions for you: it applies sharpening, contrast, color saturation, and then compresses the file by throwing away data it deems “unnecessary.” A RAW file keeps all of that original data.
Here’s why that matters:
- Massive Editing Flexibility: Because all the original sensor data is preserved, you have way more latitude in post-processing. You can recover seemingly lost details in bright highlights and dark shadows without introducing ugly artifacts.
- Superior Dynamic Range: This is a big one for aerial photography. RAW files capture a much wider range of light and shadow. That means you can properly expose a bright sky without losing all the detail in the landscape below.
- Correct White Balance Later: Ever taken a photo that looks too blue or too yellow? With a JPEG, fixing this is difficult. With a RAW file, you can adjust the white balance perfectly in software like Adobe Lightroom with a single click, as if you were setting it in-camera.
- Non-Destructive Editing: When you edit a RAW file, you’re not actually changing the original data. Your editing software simply creates a set of instructions for how to display the image. You can always go back to the original, untouched file.
How to Take Drone Photos in RAW Format: A Step-by-Step Guide
Alright, convinced? Let’s get down to the practical steps. The process of learning how to take drone photos in raw format is surprisingly simple on most modern drones, especially those from leading manufacturers like DJI.
- Confirm Your Drone’s Capability: First things first, not every drone can shoot in RAW. Most entry-level or toy drones are JPEG-only. Nearly all prosumer and professional camera drones (like the DJI Mavic, Air, and Phantom series) have this capability. A quick check of your drone’s user manual or specs sheet will confirm this.
- Power On and Connect: Turn on your drone and your remote controller. Connect your smartphone or tablet and open the drone’s flight app (e.g., DJI Fly or DJI GO 4).
- Enter the Camera Settings: Once you have a live video feed from the drone’s camera, locate the camera settings menu. This is usually represented by an icon with three dots (…) or a small gear icon, typically found on the right side of the screen.
- Navigate to Image Format: Inside the camera settings, look for a tab or sub-menu related to the camera itself (often marked with a camera icon). Within this menu, you should find an option labeled “Image Format” or “Photo Format.”
- Select Your Format: Tap on “Image Format.” You will typically be presented with three choices:
- JPEG: The standard, compressed format.
- RAW: This will save only the RAW file (often a .DNG file for DJI drones).
- RAW + JPEG: This is the option I recommend for most people starting out. Your drone will save two separate files for every picture you take—one RAW file for serious editing and one JPEG for quick previews and easy sharing.
- Double-Check Before Takeoff: Once you’ve selected RAW or RAW + JPEG, exit the menu. It’s a great habit to take a test photo on the ground to ensure the setting has been saved correctly. There’s nothing worse than finishing a flight and realizing you were shooting in JPEG the whole time.
That’s it! You are now capturing all the rich data your drone’s sensor can offer.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of RAW
Switching the setting is just the first step. To truly master the art of taking drone photos in RAW, keep these tips in mind.
Mind Your Storage Space
RAW files are significantly larger than JPEGs—often 3 to 5 times the size. A 5MB JPEG could be a 25MB RAW file. This means your SD card will fill up much faster. Always use a high-quality, high-speed memory card (like a U3-rated card) with plenty of storage. I’d recommend at least a 64GB card, if not 128GB, for any serious photo session.
Nail Your Exposure in the Field
While RAW gives you incredible flexibility to fix exposure mistakes, it’s not a magic wand. A severely underexposed or overblown photo will still be difficult to salvage, even in RAW. Always aim to get the best possible exposure in-camera using your histogram.
“RAW is your safety net and your creative canvas. It captures what the drone saw, not just what it thought you wanted to see. That distinction, right there, is where artistry begins.”
— Alex Dawson, Professional Aerial Photographer
Switch to Manual Mode
To truly take control, you need to be shooting in Manual mode. This allows you to set the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture yourself, giving you complete creative command over the exposure. Understanding these settings is crucial for any kind of photography, and you can learn more in [our complete guide to manual camera settings for drones].
You’ve Shot in RAW… Now What? The Editing Magic
Remember our cooking analogy? You’ve gathered your fresh ingredients (the RAW files), and now it’s time to head to the kitchen (your computer). RAW files can’t be viewed by all applications and often look dull and flat straight out of the camera. They need to be processed.
This is where software like Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Capture One, or DxO PhotoLab comes in.
Your basic workflow will look something like this:
- Import: Transfer the RAW files from your SD card to your computer and import them into your chosen editing software.
- Basic Adjustments: Start with the fundamental sliders. Adjust exposure, bring down highlights to recover sky detail, and lift shadows to reveal what’s hidden in the dark areas.
- Color Correction: Fine-tune the white balance and use color grading tools to bring your creative vision to life. This is where you can make those sunset colors truly pop.
- Export: Once you’re happy with your edit, you’ll export the final image as a JPEG or TIFF file, ready to be shared with the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all drones shoot in RAW?
No, not all of them. This feature is typically found on mid-range to high-end photography and videography drones. Most toy-grade or very cheap drones are limited to shooting in JPEG format only.
Will shooting in RAW automatically make my photos better?
Not automatically. A RAW file is a starting point. It provides a much higher quality foundation for editing, but the final quality of the image depends heavily on your post-processing skills. An unedited RAW file often looks worse than a camera-generated JPEG.
What is a DNG file?
DNG stands for Digital Negative. It’s an open-source, patent-free RAW image format created by Adobe. Many drone manufacturers, including DJI, use the .DNG format for their RAW files, which makes them widely compatible with most editing software.
How much bigger are RAW files than JPEGs?
RAW files are uncompressed and contain much more data, so they are significantly larger. Expect a RAW file to be anywhere from 3 to 6 times the size of a high-quality JPEG from the same camera.
Can I view RAW photos on my phone?
Yes, you can! Modern smartphones and tablets, along with apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile, are fully capable of viewing and even editing RAW files. This allows for a powerful on-the-go workflow for drone pilots.
Your Journey to Better Photos Starts Here
Making the switch is a pivotal moment in any photographer’s journey. By learning how to take drone photos in raw format, you are taking a definitive step away from letting the camera make creative decisions for you. You’re seizing control, embracing the full potential of your equipment, and opening up a new world of creative possibilities.
So the next time you prepare for a flight, dive into those camera settings. Make the switch to RAW. Your future self, sitting at the computer with a stunning, perfectly editable image, will thank you. Now go out there and capture the world in all its raw, unfiltered beauty.