Drone Photography

Course Description

This class is designed to prepare you for the technical and creative aspects of using drones to create images for news, documentary, and cinematic purposes. The course will prepare you with knowledge about safety, regulations, national airspace, and other information needed to sit for the Federal Aviation Administration's Part 107 examination and become a licensed drone pilot. We'll study the how to use drones as a tool in your image-creating kit. We'll consider the ethical and legal questions surrounding the use of this still-developing technology and the tension between privacy, surveillance, and public news value.

Course Goals

Here's what I want you to know!

You should be able to pass the FAA Part 107 test. This requires understanding drone safety and regulations, weather patterns and reports, national airspace classifications, airport and runway operations, and more.
You should be able to competently and safely operate a drone. This requires understanding visual line of sight, awareness of obstacles and risks, battery management, and stick skills.
You should be able to identify ways that drone coverage can benefit your audience's understanding and engagement with the story you're trying to tell.
You should understand ethical principles and conduct related to using a drone for news and storytelling.
You should be able to create quality photos and videos using a drone.
You should be able to edit your work into a consumable package for your audience.

How This Course Works

The Essentials

This is a face-to-face class that will meet on Thursdays.
We will spend some time in the computer lab and some time outside learning and practicing skills.
You will find resources and submit assignments online.
Weekly modules with assignments are available on Blackboard. I usually open each week's module the previous Friday or Saturday.
Check Blackboard and Slack often! Links for Slack sign-up will be in your individual Blackboard course.

How to Be Successful in this Course

Be prepared to work hard and long. The knowledge you need to pass the Part 107 test, and to shoot and edit professional video and photo, is complicated and takes practice. Your assignments must be done under supervision during class sessions and then edited. This takes a lot of time and good planning.
Be present and participate! We will do lots of discussion and practice in class to build the skills you need. You cannot fly a drone unless you are a licensed pilot or under the direct supervision of a licensed pilot.
Ask for help! Please don't hesitate to come to me with any confusion, questions, or concerns. Communication is really big for me - I need you to talk to me if you're having trouble.
Support your peers! Creating and critiquing photography can be somewhat subjective, so be supportive of and helpful to others. We can all learn from each other.

How to get your questions answered

Questions for Me

Send me an email! cmboudreaux @ utep.edu
Slack me! Send me a DM in Slack
I'll usually respond to email and Slack messages the same day, but on the evenings/weekends I might not get back to you until the next work day. Sometimes Slack is weird about notifications, so send it again if you don't get an answer from me.
Visit me! Come see me in Cotton 307A. I'm typically on campus on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Email me for an appointment.