Highlights
Ten days of Rotors
September has been a busy month for Niessen Aviation Photography Services - the company that I not only work for, but own, accommodate janitorial services for, and occasionally use as a tax deduction. Several local completion centers (shops that put interiors, exterior paint, and instrumentation in and on high-end corporate and private aircraft) have suddenly discovered that I do more than write aviation books. Have photographed several American Eurocopter EC-135s, an EC-145, an MD Helicopters MD-902, and a selection of Bell Model 206s, 212s, and at least one 407, just in the past ten days. All helicopters, but what the hell!
Last week was spent in pool-table-flat Amarillo photographing V-22s, the new AH-1Z and UH-1Y, and the Palo Duro Canyon for Bell
Helicopter. This was a particularly enjoyable session, as the company was in need of production line shots as well as the standard hardware fare on the ramp. Working from Genie lifts at 40 feet is always an entertaining proposition.
And photographing operating V-22s - politics and tax dollars aside - is something one never forgets. It is a most impressive and intriguing aircraft.
Some new (at least for me) gear out there that I'd like to mention to all. If you haven't 
seen the latest accessory in the form of the
several different types of elevated photography systems that have recently come into vogue, check out the various options on the
internet. Basically these are extendable poles with a camera mount on top.
The mount is not only articulated, but can be controlled (up/down/left/right)* from the base of the pole. Additionally, it is now possible to attach a device to the eyepiece of the mounted camera and view what it is seeing while sitting at the pole base. Some of the available units are very sophisticated - and commensurately expensive. Heights vary from around 20 feet to well over 50 feet.
At $15,000-plus for some of the better units, these little peripherals aren't cheap, but when compared to a Genie bucket lift or scissor lift at $35,000, they suddenly appear to be a steal. Anyway, take a look. If you need high-angle shots and can afford to write the check, this just might be the portable system you've been looking for.
No, I haven't bought one - yet.
Story by Jay N. Miller