Rolling hills of the Palouse stretch across the frame in a mesmerizing display of curves and textures, where golden wheat stubble contrasts with freshly turned earth. A lone farmstead nestles quietly near the horizon, dwarfed by the scale of the sweeping agricultural patterns. Photographed from Steptoe Butte, this scene was created by Duncan Rawlinson and captures the region’s unique beauty and rhythm during late summer harvest.
Duncan.co/curved-plow-lines-in-the-golden-fields-of-palouse
I’ve been playing with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. It’s still too early for a full review which I probably won’t ever do, but here are some first impressions. There are a few big wins and minor quirks I’ve noticed.
Here are three full-resolution sample JPEG images captured using each of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro’s lenses from the same location. Click to open each in a new tab. The only tweak I made was setting white balance to cloudy in post. There are no other changes to the JPEGs.
Download the RAW (DNG) files: Image 1 (132 MB), Image 2 (64 MB), Image 3 (69 MB).
The upgraded 4/3″ sensor is the real highlight. DJI claims 16 stops of dynamic range and better low-light capability, and honestly, it delivers. The image is sharp, clean, and flexible. Shooting at 6K60, 4K120, or capturing stills at up to 100MP gives me more flexibility than ever. The jump from f/2.8 to f/2.0 on the main lens also makes a visible difference. Higher dynamic range is a big deal, and now all lenses actually produce usable images. That wasn’t true on the Mavic 3 Pro.
The 168mm lens finally feels like a proper creative tool. It’s sharper, brighter (f/2.8 vs. f/3.5), and supports DLOG. I used to avoid the M3P’s long lens. Now I will actually use it.
The Infinity Gimbal is wild. Full 360 degree rotation, vertical mode support, and upward tilt up to 70 degrees unlock shots I simply couldn’t get before.
Unfold the drone and it powers on. Open the controller and it does the same. The RC2 Pro controller is intuitive, bright (2,000 nits), and the flip-up screen with built-in joysticks saves time. It’s the fastest drone I’ve ever deployed.
It tracks birds, cars, and people with more confidence, and the low-light sensors make obstacle avoidance far more reliable, even in forested or dim environments. The Lidar scanner on the front arm is neat but I’m not sure how useful it is because honestly I don’t exactly know how it works haha!
Real-world flight time has been close to 40 minutes for me. The 240W charger can fill 3 batteries in 90 minutes, and USB-C support means I can top off with a laptop charger if I’m packing light.
The new multi-battery charger is awesome. Batteries don’t fall out anymore. It can even transfer power between batteries, so if two are low, you can charge the third with them. And it doubles as a USB battery pack. The only downside is you need a special power cable to hit the full 240W charging rate, and DJI doesn’t include it. Without that fancy (expensive) cable, you’re stuck on USB-C charging speeds which is quite stupid IMHO.
Also worth noting: the 240W charger is not just pricey — it’s heavy. It adds noticeable bulk to your gear bag, which kind of defeats the purpose if you’re trying to travel light. Between the cost, the required proprietary cable, and the weight, it’s very much a power-user accessory rather than a default carry.
Here’s something wild: if you have 4 batteries total (1 in the drone and 3 in the charger), and you’re using the 240W charger with full-speed power, you might never run out. I haven’t tested this yet, but rough math tells me the charger is fast enough that by the time you drain one battery flying, another will be fully recharged and ready to go.
That assumes you’re not flying in crazy heat and that you’ve got a proper power source for 240W. But if it holds up, it’s basically unlimited flight time in the field. This is my setup.
It flies faster, handles wind better, and just feels more locked-in. It’s also noticeably quieter, more of a low hum than a buzz. This is a huge win and makes the unit feel less annoying to people nearby. I think the propellers are larger, which might be helping both noise and flight efficiency.
Feels a bit bigger and chunkier overall. Hard to say exactly by how much since I don’t have my Mavic 3 Pro on hand anymore to compare directly. But it takes up more space in my kit, and you notice it in-hand.
When the gimbal rotates for vertical shooting, tilt movement becomes limited. It’s fine for basic shots but restricts more advanced movement.
This may not matter to everyone, but if you’re used to the Mavic 3 Cine’s ProRes workflow, it’s a step back. All-I and H.265 are solid, but still a tradeoff.
The controller mic and DJI Mic integration are thoughtful, but audio quality is mediocre. It’s good for reference, not production use. Still no timecode support either.
Despite being a Pro model, there’s no waveform, no shutter angle, and many settings are buried deep. I wish DJI treated this like a camera tool, not just a drone.
Even with upgrades, the smaller-sensor zoom lenses still feel more like smartphone cameras than cinema tools. The image quality drop-off is real if you look closely.
The plastic lens cover thing is still annoying and stupid. I don’t know why they haven’t redesigned it completely or found some other solution. It feels like an afterthought and it bothers me every time I take it off or put it back on. This could be an issue with early models but mine doesn’t even seem to fit perfectly.
It’s still early, but the Mavic 4 Pro feels like a clear upgrade from the Mavic 3 Pro. It’s more refined, more capable, and more fun to fly. The new camera system is the standout, and the new gimbal opens up creative possibilities that weren’t possible before. If you are into vertical video you will love it. I for one will never be a vertical video guy. I simply refuse to update my outdated mindset!
That said, some limitations still linger. Audio, UI tools, and the lack of ProRes might frustrate high-end video shooters. But for most creators and aerial photographers, the drone is a big leap forward.
More to come (unlikely) once I’ve had time to push it further and test it across a few different environments. For now, though, I’m very impressed.
A subtle rainbow arcs across a dreary sky above a roadside utility building, its dark chimney releasing wisps of steam into the cold air. In the distance, a red-brick institutional building looms, bare trees adding to the uneasy quiet of the scene. This photograph by Duncan Rawlinson captures an uncanny juxtaposition of natural beauty and eerie infrastructure, evoking an unsettling sense of abandonment and contrast.
Duncan.co/rainbow-over-asylum-roadside-steam-stack
A dense storm cloud sinks unusually low over a quiet rural treeline, nearly brushing the tops of the trees in this black and white photograph by Duncan Rawlinson. The striking contrast between the heavy sky and the delicate landscape below creates a powerful sense of tension. This moody weather scene captures a fleeting moment where nature blurs the line between earth and sky.
Duncan.co/low-hanging-storm-cloud-over-rural-treeline
A family cruises along the Ontario side of the St. Lawrence River, pausing as a graceful swan and her cygnets pass nearby. The calm water reflects the rich greens of the forested shoreline, adding to the peacefulness of the scene. Capturing a quiet connection between humans and wildlife, this image celebrates summer life along one of Canada’s most iconic waterways. This photograph was created by Duncan Rawlinson.
Duncan.co/boating-family-encounters-swans-on-the-st-lawrence
This forest scene bends reality. Reflective shapes ripple across tree trunks like portals, hinting at a dimension just beyond reach. The forms shimmer with unnatural clarity, pulling the familiar into the unknown. Created through a blend of photography and AI, the image captures a dreamlike intersection—where nature and the surreal blur. This artwork was created by Duncan Rawlinson using a fusion of real-world imagery and generative techniques.
Duncan.co/reflective-light-portals-in-the-forest
Amid a barren digital desert, an enigmatic form drifts through a storm of cascading data and neon rain. Part insect, part machine, this surreal fusion pulses with an eerie sense of life—its origins unclear, its presence unsettling. Created by Duncan Rawlinson, this artwork merges organic imagination with artificial structure, capturing a moment suspended between evolution and circuitry in a world unbound by natural law.
Duncan.co/electric-rain-drifter
At dawn, soft light spills through North Window Arch in Arches National Park, framing the distant Turret Arch with quiet precision. Shaped by eons of wind and stone, these formations hold the memory of time itself—yet in this brief and beautiful moment, the land offers a rare stillness. Captured by Duncan Rawlinson, this panoramic image reflects the awe and reverence felt when nature reveals its slow, silent artistry.
Duncan.co/a-moment-unfolds-through-times-eye
A weathered fishing trawler named Cachalot makes its way through gentle Pacific surf under a muted sky. The deep blue vessel contrasts against the soft green waves, hinting at years of work and life at sea. Shot near the shore, this image captures a moment of calm amid the rugged rhythm of ocean life. This photograph was shot by Duncan Rawlinson, highlighting the resilience and grit of maritime industry.
Duncan.co/fishing-trawler-off-pacific-coastline
Flourish is a collection by Duncan Rawlinson that blends synthetic AI-generated imagery with original photographic elements to create vibrant, emotionally resonant works. Each piece celebrates nature’s gentleness and the imagination’s boundless potential—from floral-adorned animals to scenes of quiet wonder. These artworks invite the viewer into a peaceful, hopeful world, perfect for sparking joy and calm in any space.
Duncan.co/flourish