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Cloud 9
Well, not quite, it was a Cessna! The aerial photography flight
was a gift from my kind colleagues, following my reluctant departure
from their number. It was the perfect combination of my enjoyment
of flying and my interest in photography.
The appointed Saturday
dawned clear and sunny; we had a message from pilot Peter Alexander
to say that the flight was on, so we headed to Kemble in Gloucestershire
as fast as the Highway Code permitted.
On arrival at the
airfield, it was a rapid check to ensure enough film in easily
get-attable pockets, into a two-seat high-wing monoplane and
away. Peter headed out towards the Severn River Crossings, we
circled at around 1,000 feet, I shoved open the window (this
gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "cold shoulder")
and poked the lens out - the wind promptly pushed the camera
back into my face and I narrowly avoided a black eye! I was more
cautious on the second attempt and shot off about a dozen exposures.
Peter pointed out a squall heading our way, so turned south and
flew over farmland; the patterns in the harvested fields were
very attractive from the air. Our route back to Kemble took us
over Highgrove House, and Peter had to climb to 1,700 feet as
we went over.
Shortly after we
landed, dismal, grey cloud set in for the rest of the day. I'm
planning to go again, perhaps to photograph Cotswold churches
from the air.
Philippa
Davies
The flight was
arranged through Blackthorn Centre School of Photography. Contact
Brian Walker on 07808 261216 or www.photography-courses.com.
Flights cost from £33 per persond
Ouch!
Don't forget to send in the tale of your most difficult/uncomfortable
shot. There will be a small prize at the AGM for the best story
published. |
