Meet Caleb Jimenez – South Florida’s drone-wielding wizard. Caleb, perhaps better known as @yourdailynaturefix, got his first drone in 2013. He was born and raised in Michigan, and when he moved to Florida 20 years ago he found it beautiful at eye-level, but he always had a curiosity of what things looked like from above. In 2014, Caleb snapped a shot of Juno Pier with his drone shortly after sunrise.
“I had never seen a photo of the pier from that perspective, with that golden glow,” Caleb said. “Right then I knew it was something I would get really into.”
Caleb now has more than 66,000 followers on his Instagram account. Connecting with other drone pilots and photographers has helped him shape his photography and pattern his work after a few inspiring artists.
“No two days are ever the same,” Caleb said about South Florida. Whether it be the color of the water, the wildlife, or a storm rolling in, nothing is ever constant in his world above.
Since he’s been in the game so long, we asked him to share his tips and tricks with our dear readers so you can elevate your own drone photography. Happy flying!
Q&A
AC: If someone just unboxed their first drone and has no idea what they’re doing, where should they start?
Caleb: YouTube! There are so many tutorials out there that walk you through the basics, from setup to your first flight. It is one of the easiest ways to quickly get comfortable.
AC: Everyone is terrified of watching their drone disappear into the ocean.
What is your crisis-prevention checklist for avoiding crashes?
Caleb: Always make sure your drone has updated the home point and is fully connected to enough satellites before taking off. That alone can save you from a lot of problems.
AC: You wake up and want to fly. How do you know if it is actually a good day to send the drone up?
Caleb: I always check the weather, along with the surf report and live cams. That gives you a good sense of wind, visibility, and what conditions actually look like in real time.
AC: What are the most important safety or legal rules drone pilots should understand before flying?
Caleb: Know where you are flying and always check if you are in a restricted or unauthorized area. Be aware of things like power lines before you take off, and always keep your drone in your line of sight, not just on your screen.
AC: Once the drone lands, what does your editing process actually look like from start to finish?
Caleb: A lot depends on the type of edit I am going for with those particular photos, but I usually start with the basic adjustments and then build from there.
AC: What is one thing that separates a good drone shot from a great one?
Caleb: Originality. Try to find an angle or capture a moment that you have not seen over and over again.
