Bonnet Aerials

April 05, 2016

Second aerial shoot:  Bonnet Shores

It's been tricky finding the right time to fly over the past few weeks.  If it's not raining then it's sunny and extremely windy.  It seems our end of winter had more agreeable weather than our start of spring, but one Saturday rolled around when the skies cleared and the wind stayed low. 

I had been running a few errands most of the day and when I finally had a chance to catch my breath it was 5pm and the sky was blue.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity for another drone flight!  I grabbed my pack and hopped in the car.  I was half deciding where to go while driving, and while a few places over the bridge or along the south shores sounded intriguing, with fading light I didn't want to drive too far.  So debating between a few spots, it was settled that Bonnet Shores might be a great spot to explore from an aerial view.

Lyle was my spotter and we drove through the neighborhood, thinking about exploring the marsh to the north and the rocky point to the south.  The marsh emptied into the bay at Kelly Beach and the runoff made a beautiful pattern in the sand.  I started there first!

My absolute favorite type of aerial shot is an overhead composition also known as a vertical shot.  They give a glimpse into a world only known by pilots, satellites and birds, and can offer unique perspectives of the world below.  I focused on the beach, the waves, the shapes of the dark and light sand... I followed the water's edge along the rocky cliff of Bonnet out to the point and back.

I had intentions of following the little waterway up into the marsh but when it came time to switch batteries my GoPro was having trouble communicating to the controller.  Perhaps it was for the best since my fingers were freezing.  Despite forecasts of near 60° and sunny weather, it felt more like what February should have been with blustery cold breeze nipping at your nose and exposed fingers.  The sun was setting and I didn't bring gloves or have time to trouble shoot.  Perhaps I'll get that shot another time.  But for now, I was perfectly satisfied with my aerial photography practice and vertical shots of the beach!







Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Photography Journal

Warm Getaways
Warm Getaways

February 10, 2020

I had been eagerly awaiting this winter season.  Here in New England, the winter months can be rather frigid, but for those of us who don’t mind the exhaustive work of climbing into 6 mil wetsuits or ice-cream-headache cold waters, it’s the eagerly anticipated winter months that bring the biggest swells.  We had snow before the New Year and water temps quickly started approaching 40°F.  But in typical fashion, as soon as the long awaited winter months arrived, I was craving a break from the cold gray in favor of a warm water reprieve.  

Read More

Board Portraits // Experiments
Board Portraits // Experiments

April 30, 2019

I've been wanting to shoot more portraits lately, but in combination with the surf community that I've been so involved with the past year.  My good friend, Kevin Tanner, behind Soudnings Surf Co creates some gorgeous handcrafted boards.  He does all his own shaping, resin work, and glassing, and I wanted to photograph some beautiful boards to highlight his craftsmanship as well as portraits of my friends who ride them.  I decided to do board portraits. 

Read More

Snowy Surf Sessions
Snowy Surf Sessions

March 26, 2019

A lot of us enjoy the warm weather, but a select few of us still enjoy (or perhaps tolerate) the cold weather.  And nothing quite says winter like a fresh snowfall!  On the rare occasion Rhode Island experiences more than one inch of snow while there's swell in the water, you can find a select few of dedicated riders on the shore eager to have a snow session.  

Read More