PAPA views
2nd Quarter, 2016 a publication of professional aerial photographers association international
“Effervescent Dawn” by Stéphen’ Champin’ Best of Show at PAPA International’s 2016 Conference
“Grand Prismatic Spring” by Allen Macbean People’s Choice at PAPA International’s 2016 Conference
Editor’s View
by Julie Belanger
Papa Views is written, produced and printed by PAPA members. If you would like to contribute an article, post a classified ad or advertise a product or service with a business card or display ad, please contact Julie Belanger at Julie@the 111th.com
Editor Julie Belanger, 111th Aerial Photography Squadron, Morgan Hill, CA
Layout & Production Dee Ann Mooney, The Positive Image, Houston, TX
2014 PAPA Officers: President Stan Macbean, Photographic Solutions stan@utahbyair.com
Vice President of Programs NIKI BRITTON, 111th Aerial Photography niki111th@gmail.com
Vice President of Membership STEVE HANE, Metroair Photo LLC info@metroairphoto.com
Secretary / Treasurer John Mooney, The Positive Image jmooney@positiveimage.com
Eastern Regional Director AMY HARTSFIELD, Amy & Company, Inc. amy@aerialphotosbyamy.com
Central Regional Director FRANK CARLTON, Top Flight Aerial frankc@topflightphoto.com
Western Regional Director DAVID WYATT, Loftics pilot@loftics.com
International Director Brian Harvey, Vision Communicators visionco@bigpond.net.au
Immediate Past President Chuck Boyle, Boyle Consulting Engineers cboyle@boyleconsulting.com
Executive Director Julie Belanger, 111th Aerial Photography Squadron
Julie@the111th.com
Senior Executive Director Ted Campbell, Campbell’s Creative Photography
Bon Jour from Paris! In this issue of PAPA Views you’ll have the opportunity to read about PAPA’s French members, Jean Luc Kaiser, Stéphane Champin and Maxime Castelain all members of the aerial photography team of L’Europe vue du ciel (Europe Seen from the sky). At the PAPA conference in Sugar Land, they shined a spotlight on themselves by winning the best photograph in three separate categories! PAPA Views
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heir work is beautiful! Pat and I were so impressed that we flew to France to meet them. Well, not entirely true…, yes we went to Paris, but alas, when we called, Jean Luc was unavailable! But that did not stop him from helping us to arrange an unforgettable helicopter flight around Paris. You will note that I did not say “over” Paris. I had visions of beautiful close up views of the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and the Arc de’triomphe. This was not to be. We take for granted how easy it is to fly over most major cities in the United States (Washington DC members can stop raising their fists here…) In Paris, you fly around the city where most of the flight you are no closer to the Eiffel Tower than 3 miles! Jean Luc provided us with a map and flight plan and personally introduced us to his favorite helicopter company and pilot. I shot video while Pat shot stock of everything in his viewfinder! “We’ll figure out what it is later!” Summing up the costs of the flight, it was a bit breathtaking which kind of rhymes with Break the Banking 30-minute flight in an Ecureuil AS 355N Twin turbo …about $2100 Being able to do what you love “around” one of the most beautiful cities in the world…priceless.
While in Paris we also discovered a wonderful aircraft museum just 20 minutes from Paris. (Thank you, Uber!) Musée de l’air et de l’espace (Paris Air and Space Museum) located at the Le Bourget Airport, home of the Paris Air Show. The museum is housed in several large buildings and covers a vast area. The collection takes you from the earliest days of manned flight up through TWO Concords that you can walk through! There is also an Ariane Rocket. Handy English translation recordings let us enjoy the entire museum. The Wright Brothers Flyer is one of the main attractions here. Did you know that when the U.S. Military expressed virtually no interest in their flying machine, the brothers went to France and where they became instantly world famous! (There is much to the story, and you can read it all in Wikipedia.) Pat and I enjoyed a week in Paris. If you ask what our favorite parts of our trip were, I named the first two above, but the croissants are a close third, followed by the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and did I mention the croissants? You can reach me at julie@the111th.com
The President’s View by Stan McBean Photographic Solutions, stan@utahbyair.com As many of you know, Chuck Boyle, who has been the president of PAPA for the past four years, retired from that position last month at our annual conference in Sugar Land, Texas. I am honored to have been chosen to replace him. Chuck did an amazing job as president, and I will do my best to follow in his footsteps. Fortunately, he will remain on the board for the next two years, so I can lean on his experience. For those who want to know a little more about me, here is the condensed version. I was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, which is close to the home of Yves Tremblay, a well-known PAPA member. Both my father and grandfather were avid amateur photographers, and I knew from my early high school days that I wanted to make my living as a photographer. I studied photography at Rochester Institute of Technology for two years, and then graduated with a degree in advertising from Brigham Young University. My wife and I met while I was at BYU, and we never left the area! We have five children, a girl and four boys. I earned my private pilot’s license in 1980, and started dabbling in aerial photography; however, it wasn’t until our oldest son, Allen, joined the business in 1996 and also became interested in flying that we really got serious about aerial photography. We purchased our first airplane, a Cessna 140, in 2005, around the same time we joined PAPA. Another son, Brian, joined the company a few years later. He also was interested in flying and joined PAPA. Today he works for AOPA. We now fly a Cessna 170B. Allen and I have been privileged to earn our Master Aerial Photographer awards, and be involved in several assignments for PAPA. For over 10 years we have enjoyed our association with other PAPA members. We have made good friends, attended the conferences, and shared each other’s knowledge and skills. What makes PAPA a great organization? It’s the people! Most of us are small business people, so we have to do nearly everything ourselves. We take the aerial photos from aircraft we own or rent, we are accomplished camera operators, we are computer geeks--or we know someone who is, we handle customer service, and we deal with all the challenges of a small business. It’s a busy life, but as PAPA members we can all take time to help each other. I believe that it is only in giving that we receive. If we share our expertise with each other and help build the PAPA family, it will come back to us many times over. I will always welcome comments and suggestions from fellow PAPA members. Please don’t hesitate to get hold of me if I can be of service.
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New PAPA Board Members Elected at Sugar Land Conference A Warm Welcome to the new decision makers of our association. Each new board member looks forward to bringing their own unique perspective in guiding PAPA into the future. President, Stan Macbean
InternaƟonal Director, Brian Harvey
PAPA is now being led by a new president of the associa on. Stan Macbean was unanimously elected president during the PAPA Conference. Stan is owner of Photographic Solu ons in Orem, Utah and has been a long me member of PAPA. As with each president, Stan will act as the spokesperson for the Associa on and provide guidance to the other officers in the performance of their du es. Stan can be reached at Stan@Utahbyair.com
Brian has accepted another two-year term in the posi on of Interna onal Director. Brian owns Vision Communicators in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. Brian can be reached at visionco@bigpond.net. au Like the other regional directors of PAPA, he will assist the board regarding interna onal concerns and takes a strong role in encouraging membership in PAPA worldwide.
Vice President of Programs, Niki BriƩon Niki is excited about bringing new ideas forward in her role as VP of Programs where she will oversee all the programs, events and projects of PAPA. Niki has joined the team of long me members Julie and Pat Belanger at the 111th Group Photography located in the Silicon Valley of California. (She is also their daughter). She has been a member of PAPA since 2006. Niki can be reach at niki111th@gmail.com
Vice President of Membership, Steve Hane Steve was selected to complete the final year of a ttwo year term of the posi on when tthe seat was le vacant in the middle o of the term. Steve is an enthusias c m member of PAPA and will be responsible ffor bringing in new members of PAPA aand may also act as a sounding board b being recep ve to members’ concerns. SSteve is the owner of Metro Air Photo lo located in Thornville, Ohio. Steve can be rreached at info@metroairphoto.com
Eastern Regional Regio Director, Amy Hartsfield Amy is the talented owner of Amy & Company, Inc. in Pace, Florida. In her posi on as the Eastern Regional Director, Amy will assist the President, VP of Programs and VP of Membership in their responsibili es on regional geographic basis. Amy can be reached at amy@aerialphotosbyamy.com
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The Board is filled out with members who have one more year in their current terms and they include: John Mooney, Secretary / Treasurer- John with his wife Dee Ann, owns The Posi ve Image in Houston, Texas and has been a long- me and very ac ve member of PAPA for more than 20 years. John can be reached at jmooney@ posi veimage.com
D David WyaƩ, Western R Regional Director- David is pulling double duty now w with PAPA ac ng as both a rregional director and the Print C Compe on Chairman. David o owns Lo ics in Kennewick, W Washington. David can be rreached at pilot@lo ics.com
Frank Carleton, Central Regional Director – Frank owns Top Flight Aerial photography in Georgetown, Texas. He will con nue his very ac ve role of assis ng the board and members on a regional basis. Frank can be reached at frankc@ TopFlightPhoto
Hunter H. Harris
As you know, there has been considerable ac vity within the FAA in Washington DC and elsewhere in regards to the business of sUAS rule making. Your PAPA has been right in middle of, and also a key player, in this flurry of bureaucra c ac vity. In just the past six months, PAPA has been represented “on the Hill” several mes. Back in October I a ended the “Ensuring Avia on Safety in the Era of Unmanned Aircra Systems” hearing sponsored by the House Transporta on Subcommi ee. We heard tes mony from Michael Whitaker, Deputy Administrator, FAA, The US Forest Service, ALPA, AMA and a couple other important people (at least they thought so). This was where the requirement for drone registra on was cast upon the FAA by several poli cians who sat on the Commi ee. These guys were convinced that if we register all the drones we will then know who’s opera ng every one of them, therefor if any foul play or misuse happens, we will know exactly who to hold responsible…..even if they have an address in Syria. Well, we’ll see how that works when a sUAS meets a low flying aircra and some paint gets scratched…. or worse. One of the Representa ves did suggest that the FAA ‘reach out’ to the many avia on organiza ons that frequent the lower al tudes and work with these groups on future rule making. I’ll have you know that within minutes of the Hearing’s adjournment I was in Earl Lawrence’s face (Director, FAA UAS Integra on Office) presen ng him my official looking “PAPA FAA Liaison Representa ve” business card and offering full support from the PAPA membership. So remember, when you see the next FAA representa ve you tell him that you are here to help them. Several months later PAPA received an invita on from Earl Lawrence’s office to par cipate as a member of the new UAS ARC (Avia on Rule-making Commi ee). It took the FAA that long to realize how important PAPA is. So, President Chuck Boyle sent his poli cal Pit bull (me) back to the Hill. As many of you heard in my report in Sugar Land, our ARC was asked to design (among other requests) wording for a rule that would allow a UAS to fly over a crowd of people. Under current rules and in the proposed part 107, this is not permi ed.
PAPA FAA Liaison Representative
April 25, 2016
Many PAPA members responded to my request for ideas with very sensible and intelligent sugges ons and all those notes made it back to the ARC… Thanks! The day a er returning from Sugar Land I was back in DC with the ARC for three more days of ARC’n and one day of broken Metro System. Long story short, ALPA (Airline Pilots Associa on), HAI (Helicopter Associa on Interna onal), NAAA (Na onal Ag Avia on Associa on) and PAPA stood together on recommenda ons for operator training and cer fica on that were included in our final report to be presented to the Administrator. The other members were not agreeing with our concern for public safety and the con nued integrity of the NAS (Na onal Airspace System). I was honored to be the representa ve of PAPA as a member of this ARC, however I was not par cularly proud of the content of the final report. Usually ARC’s have a moderator (or as the FAA calls them a ‘facilitator’) who is unbiased to the subject ma er and tasked with keeping the program on an even keel and moving towards the final goal. This ARC had a “Co-Chair” (who sure acted like a moderator) who is an a orney working for a drone manufacturing company. The whole room was lted. I compare the experience to ‘heading out for a long trip in rough weather with screaming kids stuffed in the family sta on wagon unknowing there is a big nail s cking out of the le front re’. Last week PAPA was represented in force by three members, Chuck Boyle, Steve Hane and me at the FAA’s UAS Symposium sponsored in part, and held at, Embry-Riddle Aeronau cal University in Daytona Beach Florida. We’ll have a full report on this event in the near future. I will say this much about what I learned at the Symposium: The FAA has stronger plans for UAS rules than what the recommenda ons were in the recent ARC Report. In other words, it appears that the so spots in the report will be overlooked. Live from the Hill…..actually across the Chesapeake Bay…. ---Hunter Harris Hunter can be reached at hunter@flyaloft.com
Robert Franklin Eastman PAPA member, Robert Franklin Eastman, aged 57, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at his home, due to an enlarged heart. Bob was born on August 15, 1958, in Burlington, Vt. His loving parents, Estelle and Albert Eastman raised him in Albany, NY and have since passed away. Bob studied television at Ithaca College, after which he began his career in an entry-level position at CBS Television Network in New York City. He quickly worked up the ranks to become a studio supervisor, then technical director on The Guiding Light. His accomplishments were many, including six Daytime Emmy Awards nominations. Bob also created Reel Life Production Company, in which he directed newscasts, worked on large-scale remote productions (such as New Year’s Eve in Times Square), and more. In 2001, he began building his dream home in Saratoga County. Upon meeting his wife, Lindsay Harvey Eastman, in 2002, they began what witnesses have called, “An epic love.” They were true soul mates, and in 2003 they moved into their shared country estate. He founded the company Ground Aerial LLC, as an outgrowth of his interest in photography. The company provided aerial photography to a very diverse clientele throughout the entire Northeast region. He loved the invigoration and unique vantage point that biplanes and drones provided. Bob served on the Saratoga Lake Association Board. Previously, he was a board member on the Stillwater Community Center Board, and was the interim president there as well. In the summers he loved working at the Saratoga Racecourse as the lead director of ushers, where his conflict negotiation and leadership skills were well recognized. Bob touched so many lives in so many ways. People describe him as kind, generous, funny, witty, intelligent, and with a commanding presence. He had incredible integrity, and would always stand up for “what was right.” Bob also loved working on his property, as his talent with tractors began with his father when he was a young boy. He and his wife, Lindsay, enjoyed having a nice cocktail, cooking with the bounty of their organic garden, and traveling to beach locations. A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 12, at Christ Episcopal Church in Ballston Spa, NY. For further information and online condolences visit SimpleChoicesCremation.com. Lindsay Harvey Eastman requested that we include the following ad:
Aerial and Ground Based Photography Business For Sale Located in beautiful upstate New York, this aerial/ground photography company is for sale due to the unexpected death of the owner. Seller prefers to sell the company as a complete package - with cameras, equipment, website, FAA UAV exemption etc, but would consider other offers. Business model is such that with the equipment, it could be operated anywhere with great success. This company is a full service aerial and ground photography operation utilizing fixed wing, helicopter, drone, and tall tower photography. Although there are no aircraft included in this offering there are several camera systems
and a specially modified vehicle available. Cameras include Nikon D810, Nikon D750, Nikon D700 cameras and an assortment of high quality Nikon lenses. The vehicle includes a 60 foot pneumatically operated camera platform with a wifi downlink for still or video elevated aerial views. This tower cam can be operated as attached to vehicle or removed for portable use. If you would like more information about this outstanding offer, please contact: Lindsay Harvey at lindsaykharvey@yahoo.com For more information about the company: www.groundaerial.com
Meet the French! Meet our members in France and congratulate them on their winning ways in the PAPA Photography Competition Stéphane CHAMPIN : Photographer at L’Europe vue du ciel (Europe Seen from the sky). Stéphane was born in 1983 in Nantes, France, he is married with Stephanie and have two children: Liséa (4 years) and Gabriel (3 month). After two years studying Photography in a French photography high school called ETPA in Toulouse, France, he joined L’Europe Vue du Ciel in 2006. A new life in the east of France was beginning. More, Stéphane’s dream was released. He could fly and take photos. “It is a pleasure before it is work,” said Stéphane. “Now with about 3000 flight hours as a photographer I’m as happy to be in the air as I was the first day.” Stéphane also has a light aircraft pilot license. Jean Luc KAISER : Photographer at L’Europe vue du Ciel. Jean Luc founded the company L’Europe Vue du Ciel in 1999. He is married to Corine and has one child: Louis who is 10 years old. Jean Luc earned his pilot’s license in Canada in 1990. One of his first love was a 1946 Cessna 140 which he has owned for 10 years. One Six Right is his favorite aviation film. Aviation and aerial pictures are his life! On the wall of his office he has aerial pictures and a copy of the speech President KENNEDY gave at Rice University in Texas in 1962 where he said: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.” Jean Luc can be reached at jlk@ leuropevueduciel.com Maxime CASTELAIN : Pilot at L’Europe vue du Ciel. Maxime is co-director with Jean Luc of L’Europe Vue du Ciel. He plays a key role in all of our photography. He was the pilot during the three flights in which the winning photos were taken. Maxime came to the company in 2000 with just
a few hours on his “new” helicopter commercial pilot license. From day one he has flown our Hughes 300, but the first year no rental car company would give him the key to a car because he was not 21 years old! Today Maxime has more than 4000 flying hours, all in aerial photography with a helicopter or with a light airplane. He is married to Sabine and has a 3 years old girl, Jade. He can now rent a car everywhere he wants. Message from all of us to the PAPA members : “We are today very happy and proud that three of our pictures have been awarded by the PAPA judges. We would thank all the people in the convention who like our pictures, and congratulate all the other winners. Sorry that we could not be with you in this edition in Houston, we sincerely hope we can meet many of the PAPA members at the 2017 Convention, or maybe before” “Thank you so much for those awards”. L’Europe Vue du Ciel : Company history. L’Europe Vue du Ciel, founded in 1999, is located in the heart of Europe in the North-Eastern part of France on the former USAF AFB of Chambley. The company’s team of five are commonly working in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and in the French overseas territories. We use Phase One P25 to P65 medium format size, Canon 5Dsr, and Nikon in RGB or Near Infrared cameras. We have developed a real expertise in ultrahigh definition photography and have been making orthophotos in 1 pixel per centimeter (0.4 inch) since 2005. We have designed and market our own flight management system for aerial photography for light aircraft www.air-photo-nav.com . A recent project in the USA led us to discover the PAPA association and meeting a few of its members. It would be a great pleasure to assist members of the association with any information, advice or work to be performed in France or in Europe. If you travel to France, please come visit us in Chambley! It is very close to the WW1 battle area of Verdun, a place where a big part of the history of aerial photography was written, and a part of it by a Great American aerial photographer: Eduard STEICHEN. Visit their website at: www.leuropevueduciel.com
So that’s a WRAP!
Another great year of aerial photography images compeƟng for several worthwhile reasons: Honors and recogni on. Judge’s Choice Awards, Individual Judge Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. Plaques & ribbons. All useful to present to your clientele to demonstrate the merits of your hard work. Scoring and cri que session. An opportunity to discuss the finer details of select images and learn ps for assuring that our work is of highest quality. Masters Points. Every compe on image submi ed earns points toward the Master Aerial Photographer status. The more images you enter, the faster you can achieve this dis nc ve tle. Inspira on. The chance to review the other compe on our own work in the coming year. Air-to-Air
on images and contemplate how to improve
This was the best year I can recall for entries in this challenging category. There were more entries than typical and many of high quality and technical difficulty. If you’ve never shot air-to-air aerial photography, this is a good stretch goal.
Ar s c/Scenic This too was a solid field of high quality images from across the states and around the world. Eighty percent of these entries earned a purple or red ribbon. I have thanked Allen Macbean for passing along to me the best posi on at PAPA. The weeks leading up to the conference are hard work with many details and logis cs. But the reward to me is the privilege of receiving and compiling the best-of-the-best aerial photography from around the world. A very sincere thank you to the judging team of Stan Macbean, Amy Hartsfield, John Wark, and Pat Belanger. Thanks to Allen Macbean for being an essen al assistant to present the images to the judges while I recorded the scores. And thank you to the many that helped with the set up and take down of the image walls. The PAPA photo image compe on is a true team effort. Now go create a PAPA 2017 Compe on folder in your computer files. And start dropping the best from each flight into that folder. You’ll be all set when the next image compe on rolls around. David Wyatt was named the PAPA Image Competition Chair in February 2016.
Image Competition Winners
JUDGE’S CHOICE
Each judge chose their favorite photo for a Judge’s Choice award.
Pat Belanger chose “Small Town America” by Frank Carleton of Georgetown, Texas
Stan Macbean chose “Playful Pitts” by David Byrne of Ojai, California
Amy Hartsfield Chose “Effervescent Dawn” by Stéphen’ Champin’ of Hageville, France
John Wark chose “Obscured” by Debbie Cruikshank of Portland, Oregon
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Image Competition Winners
by CATEGORY
These are the photos which scored the highest number of points in each category.
BEST OF SHOW and AIR TO AIR: “Effervescent Dawn” by Stéphen’ Champin’ of Hageville, France “Every two years we have the chance to assist in the biggest hot air balloon festival in the world. It takes place on Chambley, our base airfield which was in the past an American Air Force Base. That morning Stephane took this photo, he didn’t mind getting up at 5am. It was wonderful, nearly 350 balloons in flight in the same time. Stephane and Maxime were flying with our helicopter together with the balloons, playing with the fog. It’s a huge scene that it is very hard to decide where to look, where to fly and where to focus your photos. Every aerial photographer should fly at least one time in his life in such an event.” Camera : Phase one P65. The picture was shot from our helicopter Schweizer 269C/ Hughes 300, Pilot: Maxime Castelain
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS: “Preparing the Pipeline” by Jean Luc Kaiser of Hageville, France “We did this picture for the company GRTGaz in France just before the beginning of the construction of a big natural gas pipeline. This project is nearly 200 miles long needing 20,000 steel pipes. GRT-Gaz asked us to do pictures on seven places along the project where they made a storage area for those pipes.” Camera : Phase one P65. The picture has been taken from our French build ultralight two seats aircraft named “Moto du Ciel” that you can translate as “motorcycle of the sky.” Pilot: Maxime Castelain
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Title for this page . . . Image Competition Winners
by CATEGORY
VERTICAL: “1700 Fortified Town” by Jean Luc Kaiser of Hageville, France “The city Pictured is NEUF-BRISACH located in the region of Alsace. This fortified city is located in North-East of France very near to the border between France and Germany. This city was built from 1698 to 1736. French King Louis XIV himself made the choice of this design on the idea of his military architect the “Marquis de VAUBAN”. VAUBAN was a fantastic architect, he build more at 110 fortified places in France like cities, castles, etc. Neuf-Brisach is one of the 12 Vauban fortified places in France added to the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overflying a Vauban fortified place is always magical. I believe it was built in the 1700’s: they had no computer, no possibility to see it from above, how did they do it so perfectly ? This is always the question we have in mind when we see the work of VAUBAN.” Camera: Phase one Digital Back P25 on an Hasselblad H2 camera, Schweizer 269C/hugues 300 with a camera hole in the floor. Pilot: Maxime Castelain
COMMERCIAL: “Meadows Ski Resort” by Debbie Cruikshank of Portland, Oregon “This was one of those days where I wasn’t sure if we should fly or not. I had wanted to find a day where I could get to Mt. Hood and capture clouds or layers around the peak. The weather was cloudy around Hillsboro, my home base, so maybe I could get some cool shots if I go. It’s best to get in the air to see what it’s like above. It’s slow going, flying around the mountain, due to the sheer size of it. During our first pass the clouds were pretty low. The clouds were creating what looked like a blanket hugging the mountain side. Just breathtaking! This is evident in Meadows Ski Resort. The ski resort is on the South side of the mountain, which allowed me to capture the light & dark contrasting long shadows, which I love in mountain photography. The blanket around the mountain was icing on the cake .” Debbie won 3 first place ribbons from photos take on the Mt. Hood flight. Her story continues on the next page...
Image Competition Winners
by CATEGORY
For the first time ever, there was a 4 way tie for 1st Place in the Artistic/ Scenic Category ARTISTIC/SCENIC: “Lenscapped Peak” by Debbie Cruikshank of Portland, Oregon ... the Mt. Hood flight ... “As we kept flying, the clouds starting forming on the north & west faces, they continuously kept building, plus the air got rougher and unsteady on the northern shadow side of the mountain. It was also late in the day which also makes for more unstable air around mountains. The lighting was getting prettier & prettier but the air was getting uglier & uglier, different altitudes didn’t seem to make much of a difference. As we continued circling the mountain, the clouds starting swooping up and over the mountain creating a beautiful lens on top of the peak. This is when I captured Lenscapped Peak. It was quite an experience watching this cloud formation unfold, giving me a very surreal feeling.”
ARTISTIC/SCENIC: “Obscured” by A Debbie Cruikshank of Portland, Oregon D ... the Mt. Hood flight ... “I kept flying and as the ssun was getting lower I tried getting shots of tthe Lens with the sun low in the background, but that didn’t go as planned but it started b making for interesting lighting. This is when m I came upon one of my favorite areas on the mountain which is filled with crevasses, and m glacial activity, very rugged terrain. The g llighting starting getting more colorful hues in it, and the clouds were getting thicker at this area. I changed cameras and starting using a zoom lens focusing in on the elements of the landscape when I captured Obscured. I thought this landscape & coloring looked like something out of a sci-fi movie! It’s one of my all time favorite shots. As we left Hood, the clouds thickened up and we had to get an IFR clearance back to Hillsboro where we landed just about at dusk. This flight was such a moving sensation brimming with the thrill of being thrown around in turbulent air, and experience from embracing such a gorgeous & powerful volcanic mountain! It was incredible!!!”
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Title for this page . . . Image Competition Winners
by CATEGORY
ARTISTIC/SCENIC: “When the Lights Go Down in the City” by Niki Britton of San Martin, California Taking photographs in Downtown San Francisco during the day has always been one of my favorite things to do! Doing night shoots in the city was a rare occasion saved mostly for personal photography excursions that I rarely participated in. Recently, however, one of our favorite and best customers has been requesting dusk and night shoots along with all of his regular day shoots in the city! On my first flight, after the initial excitement of doing my first night shoot wore off, I realized I didn’t really know how to do a night shoot. After a long “ground school” with Pat I was pretty sure I had it down and went up for my first dusk/ night shoot! The results were surprisingly good (Thanks Pat) and after multiple shoots I’d like to think I’ve become well versed in dusk and night photography (but there is always room for improvement!). This particular image was taken at the beginning of a photo mission for that very favorite client of ours and I loved the way it came out! Nikon D800 and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 ED Lens. 1/6000 at f2.8, ISO 800. Niki Britton, 111th Photography, Niki111th@gmail.com, 408-683-9111
ARTISTIC/SCENIC: “Spread Your Wings” by Ron Brown of Virginia Beach, Virginia I do not remember the exact inspiration for this photo but I do know that whenever I see a fountain or a water spout while flying I always search for the rainbow. This particular episode was a birthday celebration for the Harbor Pilots. There were three fire boats that were spraying water. I took roughly 20 images of the rainbows from different angles and this one caught it perfectly. It was a deliberate but a lucky hit. So never be afraid to spread your wings. It may just result in something quite beautiful. Ronald Brown, aerophotoamerica@gmail.com, Aerophoto America, Virginia Beach,Virginia, wwww.aerophotoamerica.com
. . . Title for this page Image Competition Winners MASTERS These are the photos by our Master Photographers, that were chosen by Popular Choice Vote of Members
FIRST PLACE: “Grand Prismatic Spring” by Allen Macbean of Orem, Utah “For years I’ve wanted to fly over Yellowstone National Park and photograph the famous landmarks from the air. Even though it’s not a very long flight (about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on winds), I had never made the trip happen. This past Thanksgiving an amateur nature photographer friend of mine invited me to accompany him for 5 days in the park. The weather was phenomenal the morning of the flight and I had a smooth ride and slight tailwinds the whole way. I was the only airplane in the sky as I circled the entire park and photographed all the major landmarks that I knew – Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and it waterfalls, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, etc. They were all amazingly beautiful, but by far the prettiest sight from the air is the Grand Prismatic Spring. The Grand Prismatic Spring is truly spectacular! I have seen it many times from the ground, but you can’t take in its entire size and beauty unless you see it from the air. It is other-worldly. The deep blue water in the center changes to green then yellow around the edges, then the bright orange mineral veins spread out over the ground as the water eventually flows to the river below. This whole scene is shrouded in white steam which changes every second and from every angle. I think I must have circled the spring at least 15 times! I photographed it wide and tight, and my favorite image is the one I submitted. I used the Canon 5DSr with EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens at 250mm. The exposure was 1/2500 at f6.3, ISO 400. I met my friend a few hours later at the West Yellowstone airport and spent the next few days on the ground in the park. We photographed all kinds of wildlife with our telephoto lenses – antelope, elk, rabbits, coyotes, even a few grizzly bears and a pack of wolves, but my favorite images from the trip are the aerial photographs of the Grand Prismatic Spring.” Allen Macbean, Photographic Solutions, Inc., www.utahprophoto.com www.utahbyair.com, 801-224-6446
Image Competition Winners
MASTERS
SECOND PLACE: “Mammogram” by Sibylle Allgaier of Chatsworth, California The image shows a corner of a geothermal power plant evaporation field near Cerro Prieto Volcano, 40km S of Mexicali, Baja California. Initially it was the geometry and the blues that made me take the shot, it’s full frame. Later on the computer the breast revealed itself. When I increased contrast, clarity, vibrance and saturation in LR the breast tissue started emerging. No retouching, just took out some dirt spots after a long x-country from Punta Final back to LA in my Cardinal. It became part of my: CREATURES, ANIMALS, GODS AND BODY PARTS series, which is ever growing. In shows I do, the quote that comes with it is: “Whoever thought up the word “Mammogram”? Every time I hear it, I think I’m supposed to put my breast in an envelope and send it to someone.” Jan King Sibylle Allgaier, Heliphoto, Los Angeles, CA, Sibylle@heliphoto.net 310-455-2821
THIRD PLACE: “Cold Stream” by Lee Ross of Sufforn, New York I had flown over the stream many times because it is in my home County and very close to one of my regular CP sites. Each time, I would take a couple of quickies because I always found it to be compelling as a potential abstract art piece. As the seasons changed, so did the colors. In January, with the addition of the white snow highlights, and the greenish tint (caused, ironically, by pollution) it just looked spectacular so I grabbed a couple more frames. Upon seeing them in my studio, this image exceeded all my expectations for clarity, color, shape and texture. I couldn’t wait to print it and frame it. Lee Ross, Suffern, New York, www.Rosspilot.com, Rosspilot@optonline.net PAPA Views
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PAPA Needs You!
by Steve Hane, VP of Membership
It’s been a busy few weeks since the Conference in March. There Chuck Boyle appointed me to serve out the remainder of Kent Larson’s term following his resignation. Having been a member of PAPA for the past decade I was happy to take on a leadership role in the organization that has benefitted me so much. I was also inspired by Kent’s dedication over his years of service to the organization and the firm foundation he created for us with the new Club Express system. Aerial photography finds itself in a new era today. The physics of light don’t change, but the technology that we use to capture that light and preserve it for future use certainly does. In order to adapt and integrate this new technology into our business to remain successful and relevant we need each other more than ever. Computing technology today is allowing small operators to begin to do the work that was once exclusively the of purview of those who could afford expensive mapping cameras and LIDAR systems. Many thanks to Dr. Matt Nolan for sharing his experience at our Conference in Sugar Land with using this type of off the shelf equipment to document large areas of wild Alaska that had not been surveyed in over 60 years. The other major game changing technology has been in Unmanned Aerial Systems that are developing at a seemingly supersonic rate and again our members have stepped up to the plate to help us have our voices heard and help us to get permission to use this technology under the current rules. Hunter Harris has done an excellent job representing us at the FAA Advisory and Rule Making Committee (ARC) and Chuck Boyle has worked tirelessly over the past year to help dozens of our members submit 333 Waivers using the template designed by Lane Swainston. Recently I joined Hunter and Chuck in Daytona Beach for the FAA’s recent UAS Symposium. There we had the opportunity to meet with other stakeholders, to learn more details about the planned rules, but mostly to have our voice heard at the table. My role as VP of Membership is to lead recruiting efforts, process new members, and add value to our membership. This is a job
bigger than any one person, so I need your help. At the board meeting in Sugar Land the board agreed to establish two committees which I will chair: a Membership Committee and Tech Committee 2.0. The Membership Committee will identify new potential members, develop and execute a plan for recruitment efforts, and help to bring back old members who may have drifted away from our group in the past. Tech Committee 2.0 will build on the first tech committee and now focus on using technology to add even more value to our membership with electronic training programs. Using technology will allow us to better reach out and teach each other how to improve our respective businesses and interact when we aren’t meeting in person. I’m really excited about how technology can strengthen our connections with our international colleagues who have much to offer. These committees will meet primarily through email lists and as needed via teleconference. My aim is to find the most convenient ways we can to get our most talented and gifted members to participate so we can all gain. I ask that if you are interested in participating in the Membership or Tech 2.0 committees that you email me at stevehane@ metroairphoto.com or call me at571-236-3810. Don’t wait for me to ask you to volunteer!
Member in the Viewfinder Meet Debbie Cruikshank: Our Member in the Viewfinder ABOUT ME: I grew up flying off a grass strip in NC with my dad in his Cessna 170B. He would let me fly before my feet could touch the rudders. We loved punching clouds. I loved being above everything so I could leave the world behind. My dad loved it because he felt closer to God! Background: I have a degree in architecture, and in 2000 I left my architecture career behind. I started working on my pilot certificate in 2004, got a job as a customer service rep at the Jet Center in Loveland Colorado while pursing my pilot’s certificate. At this time I was passionate about flying and was bound & determined to find a career with flight, but I didn’t want to be away from my son all the time. At the jet center I met a couple aerial photographers, and decided: That’s what I’m going to do!!! I’m going to be an aerial photographer…. Now how does one do this?? In 2006, I stumbled upon the PAPA website, emailed the president at the time, Laura Boyko to find out about Chat, can I learn from it? I was sold… I had my first conference in Redondo in 2007, and I’ve never looked back! In 2007 I created Colorado Aerial Photography, learned tricks for promoting, running and developing a company. It takes lots of hard work and determination. In 2013 my husband, Brian, got a fantastic job with Intel in Portland Oregon. In Feb, 2013 we relocated leaving my precious Colorado Aerial behind. After the dust settled with the move I started over with Oregon Aerial Photography (well, the name worked SO well in Colorado) in the fall of 2013. This was a major adjustment, going from sunny all the time to gloom & doom, but hey, that’s what makes it beautiful! I am still working on getting my name out there. It’s been a little challenging starting over, but 2013 & 2014 were not that bad for starting over. Then, enter July 3rd 2015, the glitch begins. Brian & I decided to fly out to the beautiful coastal town of Manzanita for the day to see a friend. We landed & the “Flights Above the PNW” group was having a fly-in. We met a couple and got to talking… I saw a Cessna 170 that looked familiar (seen in PAPA chat pictures). I asked the guy whose plane it was, and he said “oh, that’s Joe’s plane”. I thought WOW, how funny I would meet a PAPA member that I’ve emailed with 100s of times, spoken to on the phone many times and I have never met, but here on a remote field on the Oregon Coast I would finally meet
Joe. I walked over introduced myself. Joe was hunkered down over a bicycle fixing a flat tire. It was foldable bike and we had been wondering about purchasing a couple for flying/camping trips. They fit in the back of a C-182 really easy. He suggested that I take his wife, Teresa’s, bike for a ride. Well I got on it, rode 10 feet was going to get off to readjust the seat, and I fell over and dislocated my elbow. What a freak of nature! Joe picked me up, they piled me in my friend’s car, and drove 30-45 minutes (due to July 4th weekend traffic) south to an emergency room. 5 hours later I was bandaged up and heading back to the plane, where we waved goodbye and headed back to Hillsboro, and landed right at dark. What an awful experience! This caused severe nerve damage in my right hand (why yes, I am right handed!). It damaged the Ulnar nerve (funny bone nerve), so I’m either numb half the time or feeling like I’ve hit my funny bone and this is a continuous occurrence. Now imagine picking up a camera with a 70-200 zoom on it with a hand that feels like pins & needles are stabbing you. It’s pretty painful; also I don’t have full function of my hand because the muscles have deteriorated due to the nerve damage. My first shoot after the accident was from a helicopter, which of course you have the door off, I just knew I was going to drop something, but luckily I didn’t. Skip forward to 3 weeks before the conference. I had sinus surgery from an ongoing sinus infection that I’ve been flying around with for months…it’s been very hard to breathe and I’ve been through approximately 12 rounds prednisone since January last year… SO that’s why I couldn’t make it to the conference this year. I’m bummed I couldn’t be there to see all my friends and PAPA family!! There’s always next year, Debbie! Debbie can be reached at: debbie@oregonaerialphoto.com
PAPA’s 2016 UAV Adventure
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Everyone who attended the UAV Seminar was very happy with the results! Even Mark Remaley, whose drone went flying off into lalaland during it’s maiden flight. Thanks to the fellow who was doing yard work 5 miles away, Mark’s drone was returned and Mark gave it away as a door prize! Since this was to be a “Hands On” training session, we were somewhat worried about the weather, but by keeping an eye out the window, we were able to run out during lulls in the rain, and then we really had fun! Many thanks to Gene for his lessons, to John Mooney for organizing, to Dee Ann Mooney and Sherry Campbell for helping with the food, and to Laura Boyko for setting up our meals and breaks.
Hasselblad A5D
PAPA’s 2016 International Conference
Professional Aerial Photographers Association International Annual Conference Sugar Land, TX March 10-13, 2016 Planning an event the size of the PAPA International conference is always frightening. Will we have enough attendees to cover our costs? Where is the best place to have it? What time of year should we have it? What programs should we present? How can we make it more affordable for the members. These are just a few of the questions that come up during the planning stage. PAPA would like to thank Laura Boyko for the great job she has done in her many years working on the conference preparations and for the great conferences she has prepared for us! Laura has decided to retire from her job as Vice President of Programs and Niki Britton has stepped up to fill Laura’s shoes. Best of luck to you Niki, you have chosen to fill some mighty big shoes!
PAPA’s 2016 Conference was held at the beautiful Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. Sugar Land Town Square was a great location for the conference, with plenty of places to eat, drink and shop within walking distance. One of the ‘planning worries’ that often faces the conference committee is “will the weather be okay for travel?” The main reason the conference is planned for March is to give the snow a chance to stop for our northern members. This is probably the first time we’ve had a problem with rainstorms. Several of our members and key presenters arrived later than expected because their flights were delayed or rerouted around thunderstorms in the area. Even some members who drove in had some problems with high water. Despite
all the weather problems, everyone had a wonderful time at the conference. There is always work that needs to be done at every conference - setting up displays, registering attendees, and judging the print competition are just a few of the things that need to be done in order for things to run smoothly. Many thanks to those people who worked in the background to make this conference a success. These people include Laura and Steve Boyko, Sherry and Ted Campbell, Pat and Julie Belanger, John and Dee Ann Mooney, Chuck and Suzanne Boyle, Niki Britton, Taylor Schmidt, Mark Remaley, David Byrne, John Wark, Amy Hartsfield, Pat Belanger, Allen Macbean, Stan Macbean, John Condreay, Steve Hane, David Byrne, Jim Wark, Amy Harsfield, Alan Macbean, and Stan Macbean and everyone else who lent a hand.
Many thanks to the following people who presented their interesting programs: Amy Hartsfield – New Member Orientation; Gene Payson – Unmanned Vehicle University & Troy Built Models; Hunter Harris – How to Register Your Copyright; Matt Nolan – Survey Grade Vertical Photography; Niki Britton – Lightroom and Photoshop Tricks and Website Management; Greg King - Hasselblad Bron’s New A5D Aerial Camera; Ken Clickenger – Phase One Aerial Camera; Frank Carleton – Creating Flight Lines for Vertical Mapping; and David Wyatt - Print Critique; Bob Zimmerman - Comsult Systems; FAA Director Al Brenner - UAV Rules & Regs; Jaxson Warwick - Expanding Your Business; Jon Engles - Flying the U2 Dragon Lady; Tony Rominger - New Tech Services; Randy & Cheryl Nicholson - Marketing Strategies; Frank Carleton - Flight Lines; Taylor Schmitt - Mosaicing Verticals. Much appreciation also goes out to Julie Belanger, our Executive Director, who not only worked on the program, but got the photos for the competition printed, lined up sponsors, rounded up door prizes, took care of testing and did a lot of behind the scenes work, as always.
YES, Of course!
A big part of any PAPA Conference is the meals! What better time to talk to your fellow members and enjoy their company? Breakfast and lunch were served to UAV Conference Attendees and International Conference Attendees each day. Each night, except Friday and Saturday, everyone went out and explored the many dining opportunities available at Sugar Land Town Square. One attendee was overheard saying that it would be time for a diet when they returned home! On Friday night, the Texas Aerial Photographers treated all attendees and their families to a free fajita dinner at Escalantes TexMex Restaurant, which was only a short walk from the hotel. An extra generous donation was made to PAPA to augment the fajita dinner, allowing everyone to discover the awesomeness of Margaritas!
The Texas Aerial Photographers treated all attendees and their families to a fajita dinner at Escalantes. Texas Aerial Photographers include: Frank Carlton - Top Flight Aerial Photography - Austin; Kevin Butts - Redwing Aerial Photography - San Antonio; John Mooney - The Positive Image - Houston; Brian Kanof - Brian Kanof Photography - El Paso; and Erick Richter (not present)- Custom Aerial Images - San Antonio. Richmond Professional Lab made a generous donation which allowed everyone to have a free drink.
Conference attendees enjoyed cocktails, photos, and conversation before the Saturday Night Awards Banquet....
Partnering with PAPA International since 2014 “Treating your insurance as if It were our own.” UAV Insurance Aerial Photography Insurance Aviation General Liability Insurance Building/Hangar Insurance Workers Comp Life Insurance More
Scott Gault | Todd Lewis | Roy Soto PAPA@aviation-marine.com 800-972-0907 .....Everyone was excited about the beautiful photos on display and couldn’t wait to see who won!
......PAPA gave away many Door Prizes at the Banquet, including bumper stickers, shirts, hats, vests....
Turner Nolan won the Drone, donated by Mark Remaley!
David Wyatt presented the book, Southeast Alaska, A Bush Pilot’s View, written (and signed) by Buddy Ferguson to Allen Macbean in appreciation for all his service to PAPA and for all the help he gave to David in preparing for the PAPA Print Competition. Allen had recently gone to Alaska to earn his ski plane rating and had come home having truly enjoyed the view.
Hunter Harris won the Gyroscope, donated by Kenyon Gyro!
The Aerial Photographer of the Year Award, sponsored by Epson and Logix, is presented to a PAPA member who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to aerial photography. This year’s winner, David Wyatt, has won awards for his aerial photography in various Art Shows and Exhibits, has served PAPA as Western Regional Director, and is currently the PAPA Image Competition Chairman.
Niki Britton of the 111th Aerial Photography Squadron earned her Masters this year. The Masters Award is the highest award that can be earned by a member of PAPA International. To qualify for this award, the individual must illustrate a well-rounded knowledge of Aerial Photography. The award is earned, based upon the accumulation of points for various activities and participation within PAPA International.
What do wives do..... while their husbands
We took a “Selfie” at Gallery Furniture.....
Alpha was wishing for a nice big chair for her Sun Room....
Suzanne was wishing she had a bird cage for her living room....
Suzanne, Alpha, Sherry, and Dee Ann had a nice lunch in Chappell Hill.....
are in classes? Sometimes we have planned, organized excursions. This time, we just played it by ear. We drove out to the country for a nice lunch, went to a furniture store with parrots, monkeys and fish, and spent some time looking at horsies. As Always, we had a lot of fun!
We had 7 people in the car on this day - never thought that back seat would hold 3!.....
Don’t know what Elisabeth was wishing for.....
Alpha Remaley, Sherry Campbell, Genevieve, Kyle and Elisabeth Short, Dee Ann Mooney, Suzanne Boyle had fun at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. Notice that Elisabeth won the big pink Grand Prize ribbon for being the cutest little girl there!!
. . . PAPA’s 2016 International Conference
Some of our PAPA Sponsors set up table top displays and met with members during the breaks. Shown here (L to R) are Ken Clickenger (Phase One), Jim Barrett (AerialsFlorida), Tony Rominger (New Tech Services/TopoFlight), and Kevin Perkins (Applanix)
“Thank you!” to our sponsors, who always help to make our conference a success: Kenyon, Bruce’s Custom Covers, Phase One, Logix, Stockpile Reports, Aviation Marine, Applanix, Topoflight, Riot Creative Imaging, and Richmond Professional Lab.