I've posted
more new aerial photos from Sunday's (7/13/03) training flight out of San Antonio International Airport. These are my first photos from near and above CLOUDS, since Justin is currently training to obtain his IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) certificate so he can fly on instruments only -- it makes for a safer, better prepared pilot in the event of adverse weather or instrument failure.
Justin is currently rated for VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight only, meaning when clouds are too dense/numerous they form a "ceiling" above which he cannot legally or safely fly as a VFR pilot.
Shef-- Yes, the sun is an ever-present challenge in aerial photography. If it's not the sun glaring off water on the ground or shining directly into your photo's frame, it's sun glinting off a scratch or illuminating dirt on the aircraft's plexiglass windows! A constant challenge...that and vibrations, turbulence and very narrow windows of opportunity (
literally!) to compose and get off shots before your subject's under the plane or otherwise not visible any longer.
The rains have definitely greened everything up on the ground, making for some fantastic contrasts against the stark black roadways, gleaming buildings and now puffy white clouds.