Spotlight mode
Also known as: Spotlight, DJI Spotlight
A drone tracking mode where the camera stays locked on a chosen subject while the pilot flies the drone freely, ideal for creative two-person shoots.
Updated
What it means
In Spotlight mode, you select a subject and the gimbal and drone heading keep pointing at it. Unlike ActiveTrack, the drone does not follow on its own. The pilot controls where it flies, while the camera framing takes care of itself.
This splits the hardest part of aerial filming into two. Normally the pilot must fly a path and aim the camera at the same time. With Spotlight, the pilot concentrates on the flight path, such as a curve, a rise or a fly-past, and the subject stays centered.
It is part of the FocusTrack suite on many DJI drones and works with people, cars and boats.
How it works in practice
Spotlight shines when one person rides and another flies. The pilot can fly a sweeping arc past a mountain biker on a ridge, a flyover above a kayak or a slow rise over a car on a coastal road, all while the subject stays in frame.
Fly smoothly and plan the path before starting. Because the camera turns automatically, sudden stick movements still show up as jerky motion. Combining Spotlight with Cine mode gives the calmest results.
Start with slow subjects, such as a walker or a cyclist on a quiet path, before moving to faster sports where every mistake happens sooner.
What to watch out for
The tracking can lose the subject when it passes behind trees, under bridges or into shadows. The drone may stop tracking or switch to a similar object. Keep clear lines of sight.
Obstacle sensing may not cover every direction the drone flies, especially sideways when you focus on the subject. Watch the drone path as well as the screen.
With the camera always facing the subject, it is easy to fly toward something you cannot see on screen. Keep the drone within visual line of sight and use a spotter for complex flights.
How RawClip handles it
Spotlight flights produce smooth third-person shots of your ride or trip. Upload them together with your POV and handheld clips, and RawClip combines the best moments from every angle into one highlight.