Capturing Bali: A Week with the DJI Air 3 Drone

Bali is a captivating destination, offering countless opportunities for breathtaking visuals. But, what if you only had a week to explore its magic? Armed with the DJI Air 3 drone, Chris Rogers set out to answer that question.

The Mission

The aim was clear: “Capture as many epic things as you can on the DJI A3.” From dramatic scooter rides along rice fields to thrilling surfs with volcanoes in the backdrop, every shot was meticulously planned.

As described by our filmmaker, “What's going to happen is Regan's going to drive along this path along the rice fields… and then on the drop of the music, a wave is going to crash over.”

The Execution

The process of capturing each scene was multifaceted. For a surfing shot, there was a distinct vision: “using the 70 mil medium tele camera we can film from a distance and compress the image so the volcano looks pretty large behind the surfer.”

It's about the details, the perspective, and, importantly, the transition between shots. Unexpectedly, during a hyperlapse of rapidly moving clouds around a volcano, the DJI Air 3 drone crashed into a tree.

Chris lamented, “should just press return home and it would have done it itself.” With the help of some locals, the drone was thankfully rescued, illustrating the unpredictable nature of such adventures.

The Results

Transitions, a crucial element in the video, were crafted to flow seamlessly. Filmmaker Chris described one such transition: “I need to do is find an area where there's no disturbance in the water, and then we'll form a wave that's already broken.” This meticulous approach ensured a cinematic experience.

Additionally, there were other standout shots. One such was at Indonesia's most photographed beach where the intent was to get an “epic establishing shot.”

Another involved Fabian diving into a pool while the drone captures the entirety from directly above, aiming to create a scene transition out of the blue hue of the pool.

Final Thoughts on the DJI Air 3

In the end, the DJI Air 3 proved itself to be a reliable companion for the Bali adventure. Chris praised its capabilities, stating it's the “ultimate in-betweener between the DJI Mini 3 and the DJI Mavic 3.”

For those wishing to embark on a similar journey, the adventurer's advice rings true: “I just find it quite ironic how I told most people that if you crash a drone today, it's 100% your fault… and it was my fault.” Always remember, in the quest for the perfect shot, patience and caution are key.

In Chris' words, “Thanks again for watching, and I'll see you in the next one.”

Photos courtesy of Chris Rogers.