Technical limitations of drones in capturing natural landscape videos for instagram reels

Abstract

This study explores the technical limitations of drones in producing high-quality vertical videos of natural landscapes for Instagram Reels, specifically addressing the challenge of adapting horizontally optimized drone footage to vertical formats. Experimental tests and surveys with professional landscape videographers revealed that approximately 80% of participants reported significant stability issues when capturing vertical footage, mainly due to gimbal systems designed for horizontal orientation, which resulted in jittery, unstable videos. Additionally, the cropping required to fit vertical aspect ratios led to substantial pixel density loss—up to 50% in 4K footage and approximately 33% in 1080p and 720p footage—diminishing resolution and sharpness, especially in detailed landscape scenes. The narrower field of view in vertical video further limited landscape expansiveness, complicating framing and composition. This research suggests that advancements in drone technology, such as gimbals optimized for vertical orientation, higher resolution sensors, and AI-driven post-production tools, are essential for overcoming these limitations. These developments would enhance video quality and streamline production, catering to the unique demands of vertical content on social media platforms.