Aerial By Night
You know life is treating you well when you have to make a decision between flying around Sydney in a helicopter at night, or flying south to Victoria to surf a monster swell. The photographer in me won this battle as I had been planning a night shoot over the city for some time. Conditions last week were lining up to be perfect with the forecasts showing a two-day window that was the best for aerial photography I had seen in nearly three years.
There are so many reasons why photographing from a helicopter at night simply shouldn’t work. But get the mix of equipment, aircraft, pilot (and photographer) right and you can push the limits of a modern digital camera to produce photographs like these, photographs that I really hope you like.
I will bring you part B of my two-day aerial spree soon, I wanted to show these night images on their own. It was an adventure to get it done and I can’t wait to have another go, perhaps in a different city. If you like these photographs and want to see more, leave a comment at the bottom of this post to let me know…
Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman.
Joel Coleman.
Manly By Night
Lyn
Posted at 23:53h, 08 MayBrilliant shots!
tom-paul jagg
Posted at 00:09h, 09 Maywhat spectacular views. Im proud of Sydney. FANTASTIC photos Joel!
Well Done, as Per usual.
Barbara Foster
Posted at 00:12h, 09 MayThese shots are spectacular, so crystal clear and vibrant. Well done and thank you for sharing. Sorry you missed your ‘wave’ though.
Joel Coleman
Posted at 00:14h, 09 MayCheers Barbara, I am happy I stayed to do this, missing a surf trip is a small price to pay I think! 🙂
Richard Webbe
Posted at 00:14h, 09 MayWhat stunning photos with such “light box” detail.
I would be interested to know the method?
Just amazing.
pete gee
Posted at 00:22h, 09 Mayspectac stuff Joel
going from strength to strength
and unless you were surfing Bells/Winki area ( as spectac as yr pics), ya missed little here as wind and size effectively cancelled most of the coast those 2 days
Joel Coleman
Posted at 00:25h, 09 MayThanks for the comforting words Pete… I planned on heading to a ‘not so secret’ spot away from the crowds and in the brunt of the swell, my mates got a few down there. I’d happily miss it again to get in a heli at night though, its such an amazing way to photograph.
Kevin Deacon
Posted at 00:34h, 09 MayStunning images in this genre Joel, well done, you have come a long way from the underwater days of Lord Howe! Your images keep me connected to the ocean and nature during gaps in my own dive and wildlife photo safaris, cheers Kevin Deacon Dive 2000
Joel Coleman
Posted at 04:59h, 09 MayThanks Kev, it means a lot to receive a comment like that from a person who is as respected as yourself in the photographic world. I’ll drop by and say hello when I next go past your store.
Jude Johnston
Posted at 00:35h, 09 MayJoel! These are just spectacular, really amazing! The photos are so clear. Well done.
Carol
Posted at 01:33h, 09 MayFabulous photos, Joel 🙂 with all the colours of lights. Sydney’s such a lovely city, day or night.
Meghan
Posted at 03:05h, 09 MayNew favorites! These are beautiful, truly incredible work Mr. Coleman. Thanks for sharing them (and for skipping the surf to capture them)!
Jasmine
Posted at 04:01h, 09 MayFrighteningly beautiful..unquestionably stunning shots, but sooo many lights.
Mick Free
Posted at 04:41h, 09 MayMy gosh….you missed 6 foot Winki for this haha lol. Good job lord!
Joel Coleman
Posted at 04:58h, 09 MayCheers Mick! I stand by my decision, i’ll be with you for the next swell…
Chelsey
Posted at 06:10h, 09 MayReally incredible! and I love the way the lights are reflecting off the water. Stunning Joel – well worth the huge effort.
Andrew
Posted at 07:31h, 09 MaySome amazing shots in that mix
Alan Guest
Posted at 09:00h, 09 MaySpectacular pics, fantastic colours for night shots, it just gets better .
Well done Joel, I look forward to the next round
Nic
Posted at 09:58h, 09 MayFabulous clarity and colour.
Air must have been clear.
Jenny Lloyd
Posted at 13:17h, 09 MaySpectacular, intricate, pretty, and so energetic in a busy but peaceful way! Thank you for sharing :)!
Sharyn
Posted at 00:30h, 10 MayTom-Paul turned me onto your incredible nature photos years ago and now these… so amazing! Someday I want to see it all for real and meet you to say thank you in person.
Kat
Posted at 08:22h, 10 MayAbsolutely stunning Joel!
Thank you so much for sharing
Warwick
Posted at 03:40h, 12 MaySydney at night is the most spectacular one could imagine. None better worldwide. Great Photos. Seeing is believing. Bucket list stuff
I left Sydney on board a Qantas Super Constellation on 30/6/60 to fly to Pt. Moresby.It was just such a night at 10pm as we flew over the Harbour( no Opera House then) and I followed the Northern Beaches and beyond into eventual cloud, landing at Jacksons Field P.M. at 6am. Without a doubt Sydney Harbour by night is the most spectacular of any I have seen worldwide. It’s great to be an Aussie with something like this to which one can come home.