That is a fantastic article, thank you so much!

Great article, thanks!!

Any chance you have any tips on how to get a permission to fly in Lisbon (since you've got some drone shots from Lisbon)? I applied for a permission when I was in Lisbon in July 2022 and wanted to grab some sunrise shots over Alfama, but the aviation office (I think it is ANAC) declined mine with the reason being "sensitive installations" or something similar

Hi, thanks.

Indeed ANAC / AAN are often-times overzealous in their approach relating to security - I've had some bizarre rejections.

My tip is try to keep the GPS parameters quite narrow and max altitude quite low at 30/60 metres. If they do reject your submission, try again with an even smaller parameter. Once you have their OK then even if you "break the rules a bit", at least you have the authorization document to protect you if you get stopped by authorities.

I had no issues getting authorizations to fly at Commercial Square and Belem next to the Tower and Patrimonio, as well as close to Palacio da Pena in Sintra.

Hope this helps!

Alex

Quote from: mike123 on November 24, 2022, 06:54

Great article, thanks!!

Any chance you have any tips on how to get a permission to fly in Lisbon (since you've got some drone shots from Lisbon)? I applied for a permission when I was in Lisbon in July 2022 and wanted to grab some sunrise shots over Alfama, but the aviation office (I think it is ANAC) declined mine with the reason being "sensitive installations" or something similar

Hi, thanks.

Indeed ANAC / AAN are often-times overzealous in their approach relating to security - I've had some bizarre rejections.

My tip is try to keep the GPS parameters quite narrow and max altitude quite low at 30/60 metres. If they do reject your submission, try again with an even smaller parameter. Once you have their OK then even if you "break the rules a bit", at least you have the authorization document to protect you if you get stopped by authorities.

I had no issues getting authorizations to close to fly in at Commercial Square and Belem next to the Tower and Patrimonio, as well as close to Palacio da Pena in Sintra.

Hope this helps!

Alex

Thanks a lot Alex, your answer is immensely helpful!!
Now I know how to approach the authorization process and will definitely try it in future!

Michael

Quote from: Brasilnut on November 24, 2022, 07:16

Quote from: mike123 on November 24, 2022, 06:54

Great article, thanks!!

Any chance you have any tips on how to get a permission to fly in Lisbon (since you've got some drone shots from Lisbon)? I applied for a permission when I was in Lisbon in July 2022 and wanted to grab some sunrise shots over Alfama, but the aviation office (I think it is ANAC) declined mine with the reason being "sensitive installations" or something similar

Hi, thanks.

Indeed ANAC / AAN are often-times overzealous in their approach relating to security - I've had some bizarre rejections.

My tip is try to keep the GPS parameters quite narrow and max altitude quite low at 30/60 metres. If they do reject your submission, try again with an even smaller parameter. Once you have their OK then even if you "break the rules a bit", at least you have the authorization document to protect you if you get stopped by authorities.

I had no issues getting authorizations to close to fly in at Commercial Square and Belem next to the Tower and Patrimonio, as well as close to Palacio da Pena in Sintra.

Hope this helps!

Alex

Thanks a lot Alex, your answer is immensely helpful!!
Now I know how to approach the authorization process and will definitely try it in future!

Michael

Good luck! Otherwise, just go out into the countryside in the middle of nowhere and can risk not involving authorities...as you know, Portugal has a beautiful and extensive coastline.

All the best - Alex

Drone videos don't sell, don't waste time and money

If you shoot tourist sites in cities, it may be a profitable business. But most of the time should be devoted to obtaining permission.
Well, models in some angles are also not bad to shoot.
However, if there is no time to get permission, it is better not to buy a drone. Or buy the cheapest one.

Quote from: stoker2014 on December 08, 2022, 10:26

If you shoot tourist sites in cities, it may be a profitable business. But most of the time should be devoted to obtaining permission.
Well, models in some angles are also not bad to shoot.
However, if there is no time to get permission, it is better not to buy a drone. Or buy the cheapest one.

This approach is wrong in general. To sell stock, you must pick your subject and it has to be unique, technically and logistically challenging - otherwise you will compete with millions of stock-monkey targeting "apples on white". Doesn't matter if it's aerial or not. If you are in stock for money, of course - I know many people who have different motivations to spend their lives here

Another hand... Drone photography is profitable because of less competition, and personally, I would like it will stay this way

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

Indeed, not everybody is willing or crazy enough to risk their drone to capture quite close to the sea top down shots of stormy waves! Fortunately, no close calls. I've uploaded a large batch for book covers.

If you shoot tourist sites in cities, it may be a profitable business.

That would be rather challenging considering that most cities around the world have banned drones. I don't think I would fly mine in a city regardless - the risk is too great with all the people and buildings around.