The New View From Above: My DJI Mini 3 has landed (and boy, is it a cracker!!!)

It’s been a little while.

The day job has been positively buzzing and so busy, and frankly, my mind has been a bit consumed with all it entails being a professional embalmer. But something rather exciting landed on my doorstep recently, something that’s pulled my gaze away from the virtual modular rack and firmly towards the skies (and the bogs, it seems!!!).

Yep, after much deliberation and probably far too many YouTube reviews, I’ve finally taken the plunge into the world of proper aerial photography and videography. Meet the newest member of the kit bag: the DJI Mini 3!!!

Why the Mini 3? And Why Now?

For those who’ve followed my photography, you’ll know my Canon M100 and a couple of trusty lenses have been my loyal companions for some time. I like to keep things lean, mean, and practical, especially when I’m hauling gear into the wilds of Scotland. So, why add a drone?

Well, my existing little Neo drone (affectionately known as Nev) is a fantastic bit of kit for those intimate, "in-the-studio" shots or following me on a quick jaunt. But for the grand, sweeping vistas of the Highlands that I love to photograph and that are inspiring a lot of my music, Nev, bless his heart, just doesn’t have the sensor or the stability.

The Mini 3, however, is a different beast entirely. It weighs in at a mere 249g, which means it neatly sidesteps a lot of the stricter drone regulations while still packing a punch that belies its size. This was a huge selling point for me.

The Technical Nitty-Gritty (Get Ready for the Geek-Out!)

• 1/1.3-inch Sensor: This is where the magic happens. It’s a significant upgrade from smaller drones, meaning it gathers more light. For those moody Scottish dawns and dusks (or indeed, the perpetually "grey" days!!!), this translates to much cleaner images and videos with less noise. Crucial for keeping detail in those deep Glencoe shadows!!!

• 4K at 30fps (and 2.7K at 60fps): This allows for incredibly detailed video footage. I'll mostly be sticking to 4K 30fps for that buttery-smooth, cinematic feel when paired with my ambient soundscapes. But the ability to drop to 2.7K at 60fps for those glorious slow-motion waterfall shots? Oh, you know I’m going to be using that at any waterfall that crosses my path!!! The contrast of rushing water slowed to a dreamlike crawl......pure visual gold for my pending YouTube channel.

• True Vertical Shooting: This is an absolute game-changer for me. The camera gimbal physically rotates 90 degrees. No more cropping widescreen video for social media or vertical prints!!! It’s going to be incredible for capturing the full height of those Skye waterfalls, creating stunning vertical triptychs, and, let’s be honest, making any social media feed look rather snazzy.

• AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing): As a landscape photographer, I live by bracketing. The Mini 3’s ability to take multiple shots at different exposures means I can merge them into stunning HDR images, perfectly capturing the dynamic range of a Highland sky battling a shadowy glen.

Accessories Galore (Because you can’t have just the drone, can you?)

I went for the Fly More Combo, which gives me two extra intelligent flight batteries. Trust me, in the biting March winds of Scotland, battery life is precious, so having three on the go is essential. And yes, I'll be keeping them toasty in an inside pocket - no cold battery performance drops for me!!!

• Propeller Straps: A simple thing, but vital. Keeps those delicate props secure when shoved into a rucksack alongside my Zoom H4n Pro field recorder and Canon M100.

• Landing Gear: For those less-than-perfect take-off and landing spots (I’m looking at you, Glencoe and Isle of Skye bogs!!!). A few extra centimetres of clearance will keep the gimbal safe from mud and grit.

• SanDisk Extreme Go 256GB Micro SDXC Card: Absolutely no skimping on storage or speed here!!! This V30, U3 card will comfortably handle all the 4K footage I can throw at it, ensuring silky-smooth recording without any dropped frames. Plus, 256GB means I can keep flying for hours without worrying about running out of space.

My March Adventure: the Mennock Pass & Isle of Skye!!!

So, what’s the plan for putting this fantastic bit of kit through its paces? Well, I’m strapping myself into Dezzy Bee (my faithful Crimson Highland Cruiser) and heading North for a proper adventure through the Mennock Pass in Dumfries and Galloway and then the Isle of Skye a week later.

The Mennock Pass: This is where the Mini 3 will truly shine, getting those impossible angles down into the gorges and capturing the sheer scale that my ground-based M100 simply can’t reach. Nev will be along for the ride too, documenting the "journey" - the muddy boots, the effort, the sheer joy of being out there.

Isle of Skye: Then it’s onto the dramatic landscapes of Skye, I have a really ambitious hit list of several locations that include for starters:

• Blà Bheinn Waterfalls: The Mini 3 will be invaluable here, allowing me to explore the stream's rocky gorges from a low, aerial perspective, creating abstract patterns of water and dark gabbro rock.

• Cill Chroisd Manse House: Nev will get to fly through the crumbling windows of this atmospheric ruin, giving a truly unique, almost ghostly, perspective.

• Elgol Shoreline at Sunset: Oh, if the weather gods smile upon me, the Mini 3 will be capturing breath-taking triptychs of the Cuillin ridge from out over the water, while my Zoom H4n Pro records the rhythmic crash of the waves against the honeycomb rocks.

• Sligachan Falls: The Mini 3 will be my "scout," finding those hidden cascades further upstream, away from the crowds, and giving me dramatic vertical reveals of the towering peaks.

The Grand Vision: Photography, Music, and the Mini 3

This isn't just about pretty drone shots. It's about bringing a new dimension to my creative process. The Mini 3 is going to allow me to create truly immersive visuals for my new YouTube channel as well as, eventually, video accompaniments for my music - sweeping aerials to match expansive soundscapes, or detailed textures to complement intricate synth patterns. It’s about merging my love for the wild Scottish landscape with the music that flows from it.

I'm absolutely buzzing with the possibilities!!! My enthusiasm levels are through the roof, and I can't wait to share the results. Stay tuned for updates from Dezzy Bee and the skies of Scotland!!!

Until next time......