Random Thoughts and Photos » aerial photography

Motion…

RandomPhoto — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:27:13 +0000

Wow! A second blog entry in the same year? I’m already doing 200% better than last year with the updates, huh?

Just thought I would send a little update on something new I’ve been working in to my Random Photography offerings – VIDEO!

As most of you know I’ve been primarily a still and action photographer during my 8 years of owning my own business. But we all should be continuing to grow and change, right? So it has been, and continues to be, a fun learning experience – shooting video is quite a bit different than still photography I’m finding. Mostly, it’s a different way of thinking – you have to think and see in “motion”. And while rarely a factor in still photography, audio is just as important, if not even more important as video is.

So, I’ve invested in some new equipment – a way cool Nikon D7000 which shoots full HD video at 1920 x 1080 (and other modes also), a good Rode condenser mic (for that all important audio) and am learning the way cool editing process using Final Cut Pro. Really enjoying the process, and wanted to share a bit of it with my reader(s). Hi Mom!

Here’s a short video I made on a recent aerial job for a different client – hope you enjoy it!

Cessna Flight, February 2011 from Denny Medley on Vimeo.

Thanks for dropping by, and I hope you’ll keep checking back and come on this Random journey with me!

So, are you gonna do a blog, or WHAT ???

randomphotog — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:20:19 +0000

Well, that’s what I’ve been kind of asking myself lately, because YES, I want to keep updating my blog, but I’ve had quite a busy couple of months that I’ve kept pushing this update back further, and further, and all of a sudden I realize it’s been FAR too long since I’ve updated. So, as a way of apology to the couple of devoted readers of my blog (hi Mom!), here’s an update to tell you a little bit about what I’ve been up to the last month and a half.

One of the most FUN shoots I’ve had lately, and some of the coolest shots, was for a company called Three Dog Bakery. If you’ve never heard of them, just ask your dog. I’m sure he or she has heard of them. And if he or she hasn’t, then they’ve not been paying attention to the neighborhood bark-wire. It’s a great company with their headquarters here in Kansas City, and we had WAAY too much fun shooting their new line of Summer Treats! Many, many thanks to Teri and Sarah for making the stuff look (and presumably taste) great! Here’s a couple of the shots from that session, which are now in all of their stores nationwide:

Yep - all dog treats (except the flowers and ants!)

YUMMY! (yes, people can eat them too)

MARATHONS!

Here's Betty!

Lots of marathons. One darn near every weekend in different states. From Chicago, IL to Grand Rapids, MI, to Denver, CO, to Traverse City, MI and now Deadwood, SD – it’s marathon season. And I’ve photographed all of ‘em, working for Action Sports Images. Good times, lots of travel, and racking up the frequent flyer miles.

Um...yeah. Marathoner. In Denver. Mile High City. Go figure.

Speaking of speed….

Indycar

Photographed the Indy Car races at the Kansas Speedway for the Associated Press. Indy car is fun to shoot – great colors, interesting drivers, and man, do those babies fly!

And, of course Danica Patrick….’nuf said.

Danica Patrick

Also had the opportunity to photograph a former NY Mets player, who then went to the Royals, and consequently suffered a series of nearly fatal illnesses. This was an assignment for the New York Daily News. His name is Ed Hearn, and his story is really incredible. This very gentle, very friendly and accommodating gentleman is truly an inspiration for everyone, and I highly recommend reading his book and visiting his website. Thanks very much to Ed and his family for allowing me into a little part of their daily lives.

Ed and family

Ed's championship rings, worn by his son.

Also had a couple of aerial jobs lately, one of which involved both air and ground photography for an engineering firm. It was a completely gorgeous day, and perfect for flying. Here’s a couple of photos from that awesome shoot:

Brush Creek to the Plaza

Brush Creek

I’m very grateful, and it’s always a blast these last few years to be chosen as the photographer for the Great Dane Club of Kansas City’s annual show held in Kansas. I LOVE shooting these shows each year, and I get to spend the entire day (or two sometimes) around the most wonderful breed evah!! Here’s two shots from this year’s show – check out my website for more!

Best of Breed

And, of course, more Royals games – several in the last month or so. What the heck has happened to this team??? Wow…I mean, they’re not sucking as bad as previous years, but come on! We were doing sooo well. It’s like all the talent has just been drained out of ‘em. I know – it’s still a long season, so I’m hoping they’ll come back around and start the winning again. I was kind of getting used to starting to think about maybe we might have a team this year. Not completely giving up hope – yet.

Our "White Knight"?

Yeah - he was safe at home.

Academy Award material here - that pitch wasn't THAT close!

OK….this isn’t nearly ALL I’ve been up to in the last month and a half, but some of it. I wanted to share a few photos, check in, and let y’all know that I’m still around. And making a commitment to try, try, TRY to update a little more often.

Thanks for reading this RANDOM sampling of what I’ve been up to lately, and I really hope you’ll check back soon for more!

Cowcircles? Huh??

randomphotog — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:11:20 +0000

OK – now this is weird. While on the aerial job I mentioned in my last post, we were returning to the airport, flying over essentially a lot of farm fields. Of course, I’m always looking for other cool stuff to shoot when I’m up there, and we flew over something I’ve never seen before – Cowcircles!

HUH??? Now, most of us have heard of crop circles, and of course there are tons of possible explanations for those babies – everything from aliens to the military to hoaxers to divine beings. But have you ever seen a cow circle? I hadn’t – until that day. Here’s another shot, slightly wider:

Makes you wonder what they were doing, doesn’t it? Did the main cow call a meeting? Were they plotting a hostile takeover of the farm? Was this the daily cowcircle where they all sing Kumbaya and give each other positive affirmations? I guess I’ll never really know for sure.

Here’s a completely different field, but apparently these cows couldn’t quite get it together:

They’re terribly out of formation, as you can see. But there does seem to be some semblence of order going on here, and they could be trying to complete the cowcircle like their neighbors a few fields over have. Who knows? I guess it’s just one of those zany wonders of the Animal Kingdom.

Leave me some comments – what do you think’s going on with these future hamburgers?

Sunshine was nice, but it's cold up here!

randomphotog — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:42:06 +0000

Had an aerial job today that has somewhat of a deadline. Thankfully, my pilot is crazy enough to actually fly with the doors off (well, MY door anyway) so I could complete the job for my client. Ground temp was around 35 degrees or so – up in the air? Not so much…it was a mite bit chilly! Good shoot regardless, and always a ton o’ fun in the bird…

That's NOT me flying!

Construction in Raytown

randomphotog — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:24:50 +0000

As part of the on-going plan to bring Raytown into the 21st century, Wal-Mart is building a new Super Center on 350 hwy on the West side of Raytown. Here’s an aerial I shot recently of the construction that was published in the local newspaper, The Raytown Post:

Wal-Mart Super Center construction