Spotlight is the intelligent flight mode that I use the most for flawless cinematic moves. It now works in the same way in all the models of the current DJI prosumer line, the Mini 4 Pro, DJI Flip, Air 3S, and Mavic 4 Pro (these links are affiliate, therefore I receive a small commission in case of purchase)
In this video, I will show you how to make the most of this versatile tool when filming static targets or tracking moving subjects
Other related articles you may find interesting:
- Mastershots with DJI drones
- Dolly Zoom with DJI drones
- Quick Shots with DJI drones
- Point of Interest with DJI drones
Settings
On the left side of the screen, we find a button to access the three intelligent flight modes of Focus Track, located above the one for takeoff. These modes are only available when the aircraft is flying
If the scene contains people or vehicles, they will be identified with a plus sign. Simply tap the icon to choose one of them as a target. Objects, landmarks, or buildings can also be selected by drawing a box around them
The names of the modes appear in a small window at the bottom of the screen:
- Active Track
- Spotlight
- Point of Interest
Spotlight is the default one, so we are ready to go
With Spotlight, nearly all the video settings are available. The Exposure and White Balance can be set either to Auto or Manual
For Resolution, there is a choice between 1080p or 4k with frame rates up to 60 fps. With the Mavic Pro, when using the wide lens, a higher 6k resolution is also available. The different frame rates for super slow motion can be used
All video Color Profiles are available: Normal, D-Log M, and HLG for the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3s. The Flip only offers Normal and D-Log M, while the Mavic 4 Pro has a fourth option, D-Log
Don’t forget to set the Obstacle Avoidance System to Brake or Bypass before starting the moves. The only model analyzed here without omnidirectional obstacle sensors is the Flip. When using this model, ensure you fly above all surrounding obstacles
The two sticks on the remote controller can be used to get closer or further away from the target, move laterally, ascend, and descend
To exit Spotlight, or any of the three intelligent modes, tap again the Focus Track button on the left
With a Static Target
When a building or a landmark is selected, the camera will maintain the target in the same position on the frame regardless of the aircraft’s movement. In other words, using this method, the camera is disconnected from the flight direction
Using the two sticks of the remote controller, the aircraft can move in all directions: laterally, closer or further away, ascend, and descend. It is an excellent tool for real estate videography, to show the surroundings of a property in a cinematic way
A classic move is the one that was previously named Course Lock: the aircraft maintains the facade of this monastery in the center of the frame while flying diagonally to reveal Mount Etna in the background with a nice parallax effect
Let’s see a couple of variations of this move. Here, the camera is locked on this lighthouse to reveal the width of this lovely bay in East Sicily, and again, the mighty Mount Etna in the background
Similar moves can sometimes be performed using either Spotlight or Point of Interest, as you can see in these other two examples. Different users may prefer one method or the other
Other moves can be based mostly on elevation changes. Here, the aircraft descends laterally to show this village perched on top of the hills, then it flies forward while ascending, always maintaining the target in the middle of the frame
The crane move is a classic in videography, difficult to perform manually and very expensive to accomplish without a drone. The aircraft starts at the top of the target with the camera pointing down and then moves backward while descending, maintaining the target in the center of the frame and revealing the background. It is also possible to do the opposite move.
Finally, a more complex move combining two famous Hollywood moves: the crane shot and the screwdriver. The drone starts above the target at a 90-degree angle with the camera pointing down. It progressively moves diagonally to the left and away from the target while descending.
Like the previous one, this complex move can be accomplished either with Spotlight or with Point of Interest, using the Norman castle as the target
Static Tracking
Spotlight mode can track a moving target in different ways. The simplest one is with the aircraft hovering in a static position
The gimbal will move sideways to maintain the target in the middle of the frame, acting like a real spotlight
It can also be used to follow action in a confined space, like a match of tennis or boxing, or musicians or comedians on stage
Dynamic Tracking
If you intend to follow yourself while walking or driving, the best option is to use Active Track, as it can autonomously follow a target
But if your hands are free to use the remote controller, Spotlight mode offers excellent functionalities for dynamic tracking. The movement of the aircraft is controlled by the two sticks of the remote controller, while the target remains stationary in the frame
While following this car, I can move the aircraft in any direction: I can get closer or further away, increase or decrease the altitude, and move sideways
In this other example, I can follow this truck from further away while performing several moves to integrate the target with the background