[An Adventure in Awesome][Adventures and Photography by Steven Lewis ]

Adventurous Images: My Photographic Journey through 2023

From the numerous years I’ve been relentlessly capturing images, I’ve never had such an elevated level of anticipation for sharing a collection of photos like the ones from this year. Browsing through them, each of them instantly takes me back to the precious moment when I captured them. Rekindling my abundance of childish excitement along with my unique sense of aesthetics. This year’s adventures started with a twofold trip back home to Virginia. Finally got to spend time with my loved ones since the beginning of the pandemic. Along with getting back into Aviation photography after a lengthy 5-year hiatus. Next, I visited Miami for the first time and added another well-lit airshow to my seasoned inventory. From there I headed out to LA where I had my first flight in a helicopter. And did two incredible photo missions over LAX. I then had the rare opportunity to photograph a flying MiG-23 at Thunder over Michigan. Unfortunately, it was at that event that it suffered an in-flight emergency, forcing the crew to eject and destroying the rare MiG in the crash. Amazingly, both pilots along with no one on the ground were injured. Following that, I had my third helicopter photo flight. This time I got to orbit the Space Needle in Seattle, along with photographing a handful of major attractions in and around the surrounding area. And let’s not forget about the intense Seaplane spotting adventure on Union Lake. Also while there, I overcame my gripping fears of street photography in Pike Place Market and produced some of my most captivating photos to date. And then there was my unforgettable adventure down in Texas trying to capture the annual solar eclipse. Finally, I attended an all-helicopter event in the Los Angeles area with the instructor pilot from my first helicopter flight over LAX and one of his potential students. Throughout 2023 I’ve managed to get reunited with or stumbled upon a bunch of genuinely kind, passionate, and like-minded individuals. My foremost takeaway from 2023 is that if one wants to have a unique and memorable experience, one must spend money to make it happen. And I foresee myself in 2024 spending a shit ton to will some to fruition.

Links to Post

Air Power Over Hampton Roads

Weekend in Miami

Miami Air & Sea Show

Over the Runways: Part one and two

Return to Thunder

Seattle Adventures: Parts one, two and three

Texas Solar Eclipse

Wings over Houston

American Heroes Airshow

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Gear used:

Canon EOS 90D DSLR

Canon EOS 5DSR DSLR

Canon EOS 7D II DSLR

Canon EF-S 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L USM

Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Canon EF 500mm F/4.5L USM

Sony ZV-1

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Until next post,

Steven

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“Over the Runways: Photographing LAX from the Heavens” Part: two

This unbelievable adventure has fiercely intensified the fire within me, that burning desire to continue exploring and expanding my world of aviation photography. The memories I’ve created during this journey will forever be etched in my heart, reminding me that the sky is not the limit, but a boundless canvas for my passion to take flight. A shoutout and huge thanks to Philipp from Star Helicopters for his amazing piloting skill and welcoming hospitality. I highly recommend any aviation enthusiast and photographer to check out Star Helicopters if you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable experience.

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Until the next adventure,

Steven

Gear used:

Canon EOS 90D DSLR

Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

iPhone 11 Pro Max

If you like what you see and read here, click the “Like” and “Follow” button. Along with feel free to leave a Comment below.

Be Sure to Check Out

“Over the Runways: Photographing LAX from the Heavens” Part: One

“Over the Runways: Photographing LAX from the Heavens” Part: One

In keeping with my philosophy of creating memorable experiences and capturing unique images, I arranged a bucket list spotting trip to Los Angeles International Airport which many simply call LAX. Which has numerous well-known and outstanding spotting locations that aviation enthusiasts from around the world flock to in hopes of capturing their favorite airline. But what’s going to set my images apart from others? Well, I’m glad you ask. Based over at Hawthorne airport which is a quick 15-minute drive from LAX, is Star Helicopters. Which offers tours, flight training, and aerial photography. Which includes flights over LAX itself.

Leading up to my trip I took note of arrival and departure times, via Flightradar24, of the airliners I wanted to photograph from the air. Next, I figured out what would be the most opportune time to schedule flights that would maximize my time over LAX. I then scheduled two flights on different days as well as at different times. This would be my first time doing such an extraordinary feat of photographing from a helicopter and my first time flying in one.

Star Helicopters is the only private flight operation allowed to offer photo flights over the restricted airspace above LAX. And has three areas to operate over the tremendous airport. One north of the airport overlooks runways 25 left and right, another south overlooks runway 24 left and right, and the area which I chose, is right over the terminal itself. Which from this perspective, I can capture arrivals and departures from both the north and south runways. Along with capturing the tarmac action and routines of pushing back, the loading and offloading of aircraft from such a unique position. Star Helicopters was gladly accommodating to help me capture the numerous wide bodies I was after. Along with during each flight, precisely timed our orbits over LAX so that I was facing the direction at the right moment to capture take-offs or landings of airliners of interest. The brief time I spent over LAX was priceless. I can’t put into words just how incredible the experience of photographing from that vantage point was. Looking back, the heavenly perspective, the abundance of stunning subjects, and the unseasonable clear skies leaves me speechless.

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Thanks for looking ,

Steven

Gear used:

Canon EOS 90D DSLR

Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

iPhone 11 Pro Max

If you like what you see and read here, click the “Like” and “Follow” button. Along with feel free to leave a Comment below.

Be Sure to Check Out Part Two

“Over the Runways: Photographing LAX from the Heavens” Part: two

American Heroes Airshow

After my two helicopter flights earlier this year, the American Heroes Airshow, an all-helicopter event in the Los Angeles area was, a no-brainer. It was a much needed opportunity for me to escape the gray and dismal weather of Michigan if only for a weekend. From Coast Guard, firefighting, local news and police, there was a respectable array of helicopters that attended this year’s venue. As a personal challenge for flying or running helicopters, I limited my shutter speeds to 1/80^th of a second. I only cheated once, on the NOTAR MD 520 of all things. And because of such slow shutter speeds with the 100-400mm Mk2, the “Keeper” rate dropped significantly and made for a painful sorting process. But it made it worthwhile when you get an image tack sharp.

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