DJI Mini 5 Pro First Flights: How to Capture Fall Colours Like a Pro

🍁 DJI Mini 5 Pro First Flights: Capturing Fall Colours Like a Pro

The first time I took the DJI Mini 5 Pro out over the Red River this fall, I knew it was going to be special. The air was crisp, the trees were glowing gold and red, and that soft evening light stretched across the landscape like a painting. Moments like that are why I fly — because from above, fall in Canada looks alive.

Flying the Mini 5 Pro felt effortless. Even in the cooler air, it handled beautifully — smooth, stable, and steady in the wind. And seeing those fall colours through a 1-inch sensor at 50 megapixels? Unreal. Every detail popped — from the river reflections to the shifting tree lines.

🍂 Why I Love Flying in Fall

Autumn has this perfect mix of calm air and cinematic light. The sun sits low in the sky, painting everything with gold. That makes it easy to fly longer and safer while keeping that warm, natural tone that’s impossible to fake in post.

I usually plan my flights for just after sunrise or an hour before sunset. The DJI Mini 5 Pro thrives in that golden light. The 1-inch sensor gives me sharp, detailed images without worrying about overexposure, even when I’m flying toward the sun. And unlike summer, I don’t have to battle heat warnings or battery stress.

It’s easily my favourite time of year to fly.

⚙️ My Go-To Camera Settings for Fall Colours

When I film fall landscapes, I want movement and texture — leaves floating in the air, shadows stretching over trails, reflections shifting across water. Here’s how I dial in my DJI Mini 5 Pro fall colours setup:

• Video: 4K / 60 fps for smooth motion; 4K / 120 fps for slow-mo when leaves are drifting.

• Photos: 50 MP RAW — I always edit later to bring out detail in the trees and sky.

• White Balance: 5600 K (Daylight) to keep tones consistent through the flight.

• Colour Profile: D-Log M for flexibility in grading; Normal if I’m shooting for quick uploads.

• ND Filters: ND16 or ND32 to control exposure during bright midday flights.

Those settings give me the perfect balance between cinematic and realistic — exactly how fall looks to the eye.

🚁 How I Fly for the Best Shots

Each flight, I try to tell a story — not just show scenery. Here are my favourite ways to bring that to life:

• Golden Hour Reveals → I start low, skimming over treetops, then slowly ascend into the sunlight. It feels like watching the forest wake up.

• Orbit a Colourful Tree → Using Point of Interest mode, I circle a bright maple to create that perfect, symmetrical reveal.

• Slow Road Flyovers → Drifting over winding trails surrounded by trees feels immersive — it’s like you’re part of the motion.

• Top-Down Shots → Pointing the camera straight down captures patterns and textures that only make sense from above.

• Dynamic Hyperlapses → I like setting one over a field or forest where the shadows stretch and fade — it adds movement to stillness.

That’s how I bring rhythm to my drone footage — letting each shot breathe, giving it time to tell its own story.

🎨 My Editing Flow for Autumn Footage

When I get back to my computer, I always review the clips right away — while the flight’s still fresh in my mind. For DJI Mini 5 Pro fall colours, these small adjustments make the footage pop without losing realism:

• Boost Vibrance (not saturation) to bring out reds and yellows naturally.

• Warm the White Balance slightly to enhance that cozy autumn glow.

• Lower Highlights so the sky doesn’t overpower the leaves.

• Add Motion Blur in Hyperlapses for smooth, dream-like transitions.

A little goes a long way. I try not to overgrade; I want it to feel the way it looked when I was there — cold air, warm light, and colour everywhere.

DJI Mini 5 Pro First Flights: How to Capture Fall Colours Like a Pro

📦 Buy on Amazon Canada

📷 DJI Mini 5 Pro Drone

🔋 Extra Intelligent Flight Battery Plus

📏 ND Filter Set for DJI Mini 5 Pro

🎒 DJI Mini Shoulder Bag

✅ Final Thoughts

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is more than just a travel drone — it’s your key to capturing fall in all its glory. With a larger sensor, sharper detail, and pro-level slow motion, it elevates your footage from casual flying to cinematic storytelling.

🍂 Take advantage of the season. The trees won’t stay this colorful for long — so grab your Mini 5 Pro, head out at golden hour, and fly like a pro this fall.