Enjoyable With Images – Sapulpa Occasions

Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude

Last Saturday, I had some enjoyable with one in all Sapulpa’s gifted photographers and drone pilots, Gabe, additionally recognized on Facebook as “The Drone Jedi.” I’ve been following his posts and am a giant fan of his superior storm photographs and his stunning footage of Oklahoma sunrises and sunsets.

A number of years in the past, I occurred to see a drone hovering overhead whereas standing in my yard. I assumed it was the Drone Jedi as I had already turn out to be a fan of his work. Weeks later, I noticed the drone once more and figured it was Gabe. This time the drone began to descend, and I went to the entrance yard solely to see my neighbor Paul land his drone in his driveway. I walked throughout the road asking, “Are you the Drone Jedi?” Paul was amused and let me know that he was one other drone pilot who goes by the title “Sixty 6 Drone Works.” Paul and I, being neighbors, had many discussions about drone images, and I even wrote a narrative about him a little bit over a yr in the past.

Paul has taken some superior footage of my home and traditional automobiles. His abilities and talents fascinate me, and I’ve loved studying from him.

All this time, I’ve continued to touch upon Gabe’s eye by means of the lens on Facebook. We made feedback about getting collectively in the future, and it lastly occurred final week. We had a few free cups of espresso downtown final Friday and talked so much in regards to the pleasure of images. I’ve an incredible curiosity within the form of footage {that a} digicam can take from a drone.

My historical past with cameras goes again to the 70s, after I was learning images in school. Now, not solely was that fifty years in the past, but it surely was additionally earlier than the event of digital images. Back then, I printed my footage from negatives, in a darkened room with a purple mild, utilizing chemical substances to develop the photographs on paper. Taking footage right now is hyper-easier, to not point out having the ability to see the photographs totally free on a mess of units that produce gorgeous footage which you can share with family and friends all around the world in virtually no time in any respect.

It’s a distinct world with totally different expertise, but it surely nonetheless requires an eye fixed for what it’s that makes an image gorgeous. You can study that in class, as I did. Composition, element, being conscious of all the things that will probably be within the background, however most of all, having the right mild. I not too long ago discovered how my telephone can take one thing out of my image that I didn’t need within the background. Don’t ask me the way it does, but it surely does work.

Lighting is one thing that must be addressed up entrance. While you may lighten or darken the picture, it’s not the identical. When you are taking your image counts, and that is among the most necessary factors that separates good photographers from amateurs. Gabe is aware of this, and it’s a large think about why his footage are so dramatic. I knew what it meant after I requested him if he wish to do a photograph shoot of my Studebaker alongside Route 66. Sure sufficient, he urged we get began about 6 am. That was no shock for me, and I wish to stand up early if I’ve a great excuse. Otherwise, I get higher at sleeping in now that I’m retired. But I knew this was going to be enjoyable. And enjoyable it was.

The footage used for instance this story are footage I took with my digicam telephone. Gabe took a bunch of images, however I’ve one other venture that will probably be enhanced by his magnificent expertise. I shared with him how a lot I just like the comfort of taking high quality footage along with your telephone. It suits in your pocket, and also you at all times have your telephone with you. When I used to be doing numerous images for all of my traditional automotive actions, I didn’t like the truth that I needed to carry a big bag to carry my digicam, tripod, further lenses, movie and extra. It was cool being a photographer, and there was some delight related to the top product, however carrying round all of the gear was a drag. It’s fantastic to have the ability to take high quality photographs with out having to hold all that. But having the ability to take photographs with a drone is actually, and figuratively, at one other degree altogether.

That’s why I loved my time with Gabe a lot, and why I get pleasure from speaking with Paul too. What these two males do regularly is like hanging out with George Jetson to me. (You could need to google that one should you didn’t develop up within the 60s.) As a lot as that expertise makes me wish to know extra, it additionally scares me to study an excessive amount of of that stuff. I’m an previous man and truly like being technologically challenged. Sometimes I simply don’t wish to be savvy about all this hooey. I‘m happier simply being in awe. Thanks for taking me for a trip, Gabe…