Canon 1D Mark III, 14mm F/2.8, f/16, 1/250, iso 400
I went flying yesterday. Nothing that unusual for me, I go a couple of times per month. No, I'm not a licensed pilot. I have friends with planes, which even they will tell you is the smart way to go. I don't have the addiction. The flying addiction and the ownership addiction.
While my friends can cite chapter and verse about useful load, fuel burn, and operating cost per hour, my main concern is: what kind of photo platform is this bird? Yes, I'm looking for the flying tripod!
In most cases, the planes make lousy photo platforms. It begins with the fact that you are shooting through plexiglass. So you have distortion, scratches, and reflections. Then, the plane is in the way. I.e. wing, engine. If you are an aviation enthusiast, this isn't a problem. In fact, plane owners like to see their plane in the shot. I do too.
But I'd sure be interested in a plane that doesn't have any of these photographic issues. One that allows unfettered photography, from the unique perspective of being above the ground. There is a book called America From 500 Feet that I own and really enjoy looking at. I have flown in the same ultralight they used, and attempted to shoot some pics, which let me tell you was quite a challenge. Stick your body out of a car at 50 mph with your camera and zoom lens on.
At the recent airshow I went to with several friends (see this blog post) I found a plane that piqued my interest. Might just work as a photo platform. So that's the plane I flew in yesterday.
As far as the subject matter in this shot, these are rice fields, which are plentiful in the Sacramento area. The rice has been harvested, and this is what remains. It looks to me like Mr. Tractor Driver might have stowed a six pack or two? It kind of reminded me of the "crop circle" pictures I have seen, so that's why I took the shot. Let me know how you like it.
And come back tomorrow, when I'm going to show you this very interesting airplane!
