In June I spent 8 hours flying across the Brooks Range mountains in transit to specific locations for photography trips. While this time was transport-oriented and not dedicated to aerial photography, I was able to grab a few shots off along the way. I was in a de Havilland Beaver flown by Dirk Nickisch of Coyote Air. The front seat has a small sliding window that opens offering enough room for a lens to get a clear shot. While not perfect, it is a functional portal that permits some reasonable photography. My specific efforts at aerial photography last year were heavily thwarted by forest fire smoke so I was happy this year to see a little bit of rain (although a little too much on my last trip down the Canning river–posts on that coming soon). The immensity of the Brooks range and the seemingly unending rivers that flow out of the region is stunning. Here are a few shots I took in June.
Aerial of the confluence of Easter Creek and the Killik River in the Brooks Range, arctic, Alaska. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 24-105mm f/4L IS (28mm), 1/800 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400.
Aerial of the John River in the Brooks Range, arctic, Alaska. Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105mm f/4L IS (28mm), 1/400 sec @ f/5, ISO 400.
That first shot is incredible! I have a feeling it will be in your 2010 bestsellers gallery! 🙂
Thanks Eli, the rainbow was a very cool element. The pilot circled once so I could get a better position. The local rain squalls and storms in the mountains often offer excellent light and contrast.
Hey Patrick
Awesome – Dirk is the man. He’s so good to fly with.
Love the shots. I need to check out your Canning River stuff.
Cheers
Carl
Carl,
I think we were just a few days behind you on the river, but we took out at plunge creek (45miles or so) and therefore, spent a few nights at each camp. Lots of rain pumped the shores and took the pretty color out of that sweet river. It was a heartache in some ways, traveling that beautiful area with cloudy mountain ridges and muddy water below. But, so it goes… I got a few good images but shot very little in perspective of an 11 day trip, and it was about the most mega fauna desolate journey of my career–for some odd and unknown reason. We hiked high and long too, but not a bear, wolf or caribou to be seen. I’ll share some Canning stuff soon.
Hey Patrick,
After reading your followup post, no I think you were on the river when we landed, but we landed downstream of you.
We had 2 or 3 nice days with the water, then the rains came and it turned brown. We were about at the confluence with the Canning when that happened.
Bummer you didn’t get to see more wildlife.
Cheers
Carl