How the Right Filters Can Take Your Drone Footage Further

Drone photography opens up a world of possibilities, letting you capture scenes from angles few have seen before. But getting breathtaking footage requires more than just flying skill—you need to master how your camera interacts with light. That’s where filters come in: they help you control glare, balance exposure, and create cinematic effects that transform ordinary shots into compelling visuals.

This guide will be helpful even if you're not shooting with a drone, but with any camera.

UV Filter: Why You Should Always Use One?

Back in the day, UV filters blocked ultraviolet light on film cameras. Nowadays, their main job is not only to block UV light but also to protect against scratches, dust, and small accidents that can ruin your drone's lens. It's like low-cost insurance to protect your lens.

For example, drones like the DJI Mini 4 Pro come with hollow lens caps that don’t offer full protection—using a UV filter here is like putting a shield on your camera without affecting image quality. It’s super easy to install—just swap out the lens cap for the UV filter and you’re good to go.

Side-by-side comparison of with & without UV filter.

ND Filters: Use When You Want That Smooth, Cinematic Motion

Have you ever noticed how professional drone videos have that beautiful motion blur? That’s ND (Neutral Density) filters.

Think of them as sunglasses for your drone camera—they cut down the amount of light hitting your sensor so you can slow the shutter speed without blowing out the brightness. This creates natural motion blur which makes everything look more fluid.

When to use ND filters:

• Tracking fast-moving vehicles or subjects

• Flying low near water or the ground

• Shooting in bright sunlight

Split ND Filters for Multi-Camera Drones

Some advanced drones like the DJI Air 3 or Mavic 4 Pro have multiple cameras with different apertures, which means each camera needs a different ND strength to maintain consistent exposure.

Split ND filters are specially designed with varying densities for each camera lens, so you can switch between cameras seamlessly without adjusting settings or swapping filters. This ensures uniform exposure and smooth cinematic footage across all your angles.

Pro tip: Follow the "180-degree shutter rule" — for example, if you’re filming at 30fps, set your shutter speed to 1/60 seconds. This makes motion look just right, not jittery or too blurry.

Sharp detail Vs. Smooth motion blur

ND/PL Filters - Combine Motion Blur and Glare Control 

ND/PL (Neutral Density Polarizing) filters combine the benefits of ND and CPL filters. Use these on bright, reflective days for motion blur and glare reduction simultaneously, perfect for fast, low flights where reflections could ruin your shot.

You get smooth motion blur while cutting annoying glare—making your footage clearer and more dynamic.

ND/PL Filter - Motion, less glare, sharper footage.

The footage features smooth motion blur + glare reduction, delivering vibrant, sharp visuals free from reflections and distractions.

Find the right ND/PL Filter:

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is a crucial element in photography and videography that influences how motion is captured in your shots.

Low Vs. High Shutter Speed

Low Shutter Speeds: These are ideal for creating motion blur, which can be used to capture smooth, flowing effects, like the movement of water or clouds. However, in bright conditions, a low shutter speed can lead to overexposure, as too much light enters the camera. To prevent this, an ND filter (Neutral Density filter) can help by reducing the overall light entering the lens, allowing you to use longer exposures without compromising the exposure balance.

High Shutter Speeds: These freeze fast-moving subjects in sharp detail, making them great for capturing action scenes. However, in bright light, this can also lead to overexposure. To maintain clarity and reduce unwanted reflections or glare, especially in scenes with water or wide skies, an NDPL filter (Neutral Density Polarizer) is the ideal choice. It reduces light intensity while also cutting down on glare and reflections, helping to maintain rich, vivid colors and detail.

Long Exposure Filters for Dreamy Effects

Want to capture waterfalls or make clouds look like silky streaks? That’s where long exposure filters come in, usually really dark ND filters like ND512 or ND1000. They let you slow your shutter speed way down (think 1 to 2 seconds), turning moving water or skies into smooth, artistic scenes. Just remember, you’ll need these super-dark filters to avoid overexposure.

Creating dreamy, silky water effects with long exposure filters.

CPL Filters: Cut Glare and Pump Up Those Colors

Glare on glass, water reflections, or washed-out skies can ruin a perfect shot. That’s where CPL (Circular Polarizing) filters shine. They reduce reflections and help deepen blue skies and crisp white clouds.

If you’re shooting over lakes, windows, or even shiny cars, a CPL filter can turn a basic shot into something vibrant and eye-catching.

Black Glow Mist Filter

The Glow Mist filter is an essential tool in photography and videography that softens highlights and creates a subtle, dreamy glow in your shots.

It enhances skin tones and reduces harsh contrasts, giving your images and footage a more cinematic, ethereal look.

Final Thoughts

Filters aren’t just accessories—they’re tools that give you more control and creativity in flight. Whether it’s protecting your lens, smoothing out motion, balancing light from multiple cameras, or enhancing colors and contrast, picking the right filter can turn ordinary drone footage into something exceptional.

Ready to boost your aerial videos? Start experimenting with these filters and see your shots come alive.

Content Credit: The Drone Creative 

FAQ

1. What filter should I use on my drone?

• UV Filter: Protects the camera lens from dust, scratches, and UV light.

• ND Filter: Reduces light, helping you control exposure and achieve cinematic motion blur (with high intensity ND Filters like ND1000 & ND2000).

• CPL Filter: Reduces reflections from water or glass and enhances color contrast, especially in the sky.

2. What are drone filters for?

Drone filters help:

• Control light exposure: ND filters reduce light, allowing you to adjust your shutter speed for smoother footage.

• Protect the lens: UV filters prevent scratches and lens damage.

• Reduce glare: CPL filters cut reflections, making landscapes and skies look more vibrant.

3. Do I need filters for my drone?

Filters are highly recommended for better video quality. They provide smoother footage, reduce glare, and help balance exposure in various lighting conditions, especially on bright, sunny days.

4. What does an ND16 filter do?

The ND16 filter reduces light by 4 stops, making it ideal for bright, sunny conditions. It helps maintain proper exposure while enabling smooth motion blur for cinematic effects.

5. What is ND/PL filter?

An ND/PL filter combines the functions of ND (Neutral Density) and CPL (Circular Polarizing) filters. It:

• Reduces light (ND effect).

• Eliminates reflections and enhances contrast (CPL effect).
  This filter is perfect for filming in bright environments with reflective surfaces (like water or glass), while maintaining smooth motion blur and reducing glare.

6. What are creative filters like Snow Mist and Light Pollution for infrared?

• Snow Mist Filter: Adds a soft, dreamy haze to your footage, softening highlights and reducing contrast. It’s perfect for snowy or misty environments and helps create a cinematic, atmospheric feel.

• Light Pollution Filter (for infrared): Used in infrared photography to reduce unwanted artificial light, such as streetlights. It enhances the clarity of infrared images, making it ideal for capturing night scenes or light-polluted areas.