Happy 75th birthday Golden Gate Bridge ! Here’s another tilt-shift shot of one of the worlds most iconic bridges.
Here’s my video testimonial for the ipad case I use on aerial shoots. The shoot was a lot of fun, I got some great new shots of San Francisco including some new tilt-shift shots.
I used a WFT-E4 IIA wifi grip on a Canon 5D Mk2 to send low resolution jpeg images to shuttersnitch on the iPad. It was a great way to review images while still in the air !
Who knew that Alcatraz had loads of solar panels on the roof of the cell block? The National Park Service is using renewable energy in some of it’s over parks too.
Here’s a view looking straight down on to the exercise yard.
I was going to shoot some tilt shift shots of Alcatraz Island, but one building or water tower is covered in scaffolding and protective covering at the moment, so the island doesn’t look great from the air :(
Looking straight down on a junk yard in Hayward, CA. I love that they’ve laid the cars out in a herringbone pattern.
Salt ponds near the Dumbarton Bridge, San Francisco Bay.
These ponds can range in color from pale green to bright red depending on the salinity of the pond.
I’ll have to spend some more time shooting the vibrant colors and the abstract shapes these salt ponds make. I want to go back again for another shoot when they are bright red !
Today is the 30th anniversary of my first published photograph. It also happened to be my first ride in a helicopter, and my first attempt at aerial photography.
My school had visit from a military helicopter and gave a few students a short ride around the surrounding area. I lived near the school, so there was just enough time to run home, grab my camera, a roll of film and try to catch the last ride of the day.
I was lucky. One of the helicopter crew saw my camera and suggested I wear the winchman’s harness. So for my first helicopter flight I sat on the floor with my legs dangling out while we flew around the town. I was more excited than scared. What really worried me was losing my shoes somewhere over the town, and how angry my mum would be if I lost them.
My aerial was published in The Wellington Weekly News. I think I got paid £2, which is about $3 for my first published shot. It was on page 7. Score!
It’s funny how life goes full circle. I had no idea I would end up shooting a lot more aerials.
The ultimate ipad accessory might well be a helicopter, but I’ll have to settle for a good case for an ipad to use when I’m shooting from one.
I spent a while looking for the right case to use on aerial shoots and the Speck HandyShell for the ipad 2 is perfect.
The case holds my ipad nice and securely. The red handle is handy for attaching a climbing sling and carabineer to to my harness or an anchor point in the chopper.
Thanks to my good friend, artist Kurt Stoekel for telling me about the case.
I’m a nominee for the Photography masters Cup
One of my aerial tilt shift shots Miniature Freeway is a nominee in the Aerial Photography Category of this years awards. http://www.thecolorawards.com/gallery/index.php?g=n
I even get my own press release !
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY NOMINATE US PHOTOGRAPHER Jon Hope AT 5TH ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERS CUP
LONDON - Professional photographer Jon Hope from the USA was presented with the 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup Nominee title in the category of Aerial Photography at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow. The live online ceremony webcast Sunday, October 29, 2011 was attended by photography fans in 83 countries who logged on to see the climax of the industry’s most important event for color photography.
The awards international Jury included captains of the industry ranging from Hasted Hunt Kraeutler in New York, Brancolini Grimaldi, David & Goliath, Simon Studer Art Associates, Stills Gallery to Christie’s in London who honored Color Masters with 272 coveted title awards and 1099 nominees in 18 categories. “It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 13,321 entries we received this year,” said Basil O’Brien, the awards Creative Director. “Jon Hope’s “Freeway,” an exceptional image entered in the Aerial category, represents contemporary color photography at its finest, and we’re pleased to present him with the title of Nominee.” See all the 5th Annual Winners & Nominees at http://www.thecolorawards.com/gallery INTERNATIONAL COLOR AWARDS PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERS CUP is the leading international award honoring excellence in color photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in color photography.
