Sydney has just experienced one of the driest (and coldest) winters on record. It has also been one of the slowest for ocean swell. While the surfer in me has been a little frustrated, the photographer in me has been ecstatic. The lack of rain and small seas have combined with the cooler currents, that flow up the east coast in winter ,to produce some of the cleanest water I have ever seen on this coastline.
Taking advantage of these conditions, I decided to charter a helicopter and work on a series of aerial photographs. Photographing from a helicopter gives an amazing perspective of the world. You can really identify key elements to an image and single them out to feature in a photograph. For me, the simple things often work best and ,during this flight, I was on the lookout for small details that would feature in the bigger picture.
My plan was to look for people or structures that I could single out in a photograph to feature them in an overall landscape. It takes time and patience and you really have to communicate well with the pilot to keep you hovering in the right place. That’s the great thing about helicopters, they can put you right where you need to be.
Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…
In Sydney you can only get photographs like this in winter. In the summer months the beaches are full of sun-lovers that the focus tends to be on the colour and chaos of the people. That’s what I love about aerial photography in winter, it is the landscape and the natural colours that are the focus of the images.
Even though I knew the beaches would not be too busy at this time of year, I was still amazed at some of the scenes that I was able to capture. Empty beaches, lone surfers, single yachts at anchor. Sure, it was not peak season, but this is Sydney Harbour, one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world. Sydney, with a population of more than five million people, and yet you can still find scenes like these just moments from the CBD.
All the images you see in this journal are available for sale from my gallery in Manly and online. They were all photographed using an ultra-high resolution 80-megapixel medium format camera, so the detail is incredible, the images are tack sharp and will maintain their clarity at any size (perfect for those big empty walls).
If you think your friends would enjoy seeing these photographs, please click the small green circle on the upper left of your screen and share this journal with them.
Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…
Denise
Posted at 22:44h, 20 AugustAmazing shots the colors leave me speechless
Rosana
Posted at 02:25h, 21 AugustBeautiful work Joel,
Love aerial, or birds eye from whatever platform…
Mick
Posted at 02:26h, 21 AugustAmazing shots Joel
Nicole
Posted at 06:22h, 21 AugustAmazing!! I think we saw you buzzing Freshwater beach…you had a few surfers nervous!! Always love the pics.
Tracey
Posted at 07:19h, 21 AugustJust beautiful Joel, nice work!
Alan
Posted at 07:47h, 21 AugustA different look at Sydney and Manly, really great shots .
Well done and thanks for the images , nice to go WOW !!
Jim
Posted at 22:00h, 22 AugustNice work Joel.
Jim
Cari
Posted at 23:32h, 25 AugustAmazing!!! I am a fan for life!
Ivan
Posted at 05:12h, 26 AugustLove the examples of how much you can zoom in, seems you have got the hang of the new kit mate, well done lovely stuff.
Mark Knowles
Posted at 10:26h, 26 AugustVery Impressive mate.
Grahame
Posted at 08:43h, 06 OctoberAmazing pictures, makes me want to go back to Manly, great work.