Pretty spectacular, right? It’s no surprise, then, that it secured Estonian photographer Sven Za\u010dek<\/a> second place in the Landscapes category at this year’s GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year<\/a>. So how, exactly, did he pull a shot like this off?<\/p>\n Best picks for you<\/p>\n Technical setup<\/p>\n Za\u010dek deployed the DJI Mavic 3 Pro<\/a> drone to capture the stunning scene, utilizing its Hasselblad-branded medium telephoto camera at its 70mm equivalent focal length, f\/2.8 aperture, and ISO 100.<\/p>\n The 70mm equivalent focal length proved particularly astute. While the Mavic 3 Pro offers a 24mm equivalent wide-angle on its 4\/3-inch main sensor and a 166mm equivalent on its long telephoto, the medium camera provided ideal compression for capturing the abstract bog patterns.<\/p>\n Operating at ISO 100 allowed Za\u010dek to extract maximum quality from the 1\/1.3-inch sensor, which delivers 48MP files with respectable dynamic range; crucial for preserving detail in both golden highlights and darker peat areas.<\/p>\n Put all that together, and the elevated perspective transforms the frozen peat pools into something mysterious and compelling, with golden light contrasting beautifully against organic, irregular shapes dotted with frost-covered trees.<\/p>\n – Check out the best Black Friday drone deals<\/a><\/p>\n Portability and practicality<\/p>\n To put things into perspective, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro sits at the top of DJI’s consumer and prosumer range. Weighing just under 1kg, it requires registration in most jurisdictions but remains highly portable; a crucial consideration when accessing remote locations like Estonian bogs.<\/p>\n Its triple-camera system addresses a longstanding challenge in aerial photography: providing multiple focal lengths without bulk or complexity. Photographers can switch between cameras with a single tap. The main 24mm camera handles low-light with its larger sensor and captures video up to 5.1K 50fps. The 70mm medium camera that Za\u010dek used offers 4K 60fps capability, while the 166mm telephoto extends to 7x optical zoom.<\/p>\n Don’t miss these<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future \/ Adam Juniper)<\/p>\n Importantly, all three cameras feature stabilization systems designed to counteract vibrations at altitude; something that’s particularly crucial at longer focal lengths. The 43-minute battery life provides ample time for scouting, composing and capturing multiple frames in unpredictable natural environments.<\/p>\n And perhaps most importantly, collision detection and obstacle avoidance offer crucial safety margins when working in challenging terrain with trees, vegetation and uneven surfaces.<\/p>\n Key takeaway<\/p>\n Clearly, Za\u010dek’s work demonstrates the creative potential of the Mavic 3 Pro’s medium telephoto camera, which is often overlooked in favor of the dramatic wide-angle or long telephoto. But it also serves as a reminder that technical excellence means little without artistic vision.<\/p>\n While the Mavic 3 Pro is a professional-grade tool, Za\u010dek’s ability to recognize potential in frozen peat pools and execute the shot with precision exemplifies the marriage of technical capability and creative vision; the key to revealing hidden beauty in overlooked places.<\/p>\n You might like…<\/p>\n Browse the best camera drones for aerial photography and video<\/a>, the best travel drones,<\/a> and the best drones for beginners. <\/a><\/p>\n Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from November to January.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Mavic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SdzKThgP7vsZcehiaukymM.jpg\")
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