13 March 2010
OK, I am going to immediately apologise to my non-American readers for the Awesome LOL, but honestly I had no other way to express how amazing this trip was.
I spent last week at the WPPI convention in Las Vegas. While there I decided last minute to book a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon. I used the company recommended by the concierge at the MGM Grand (where I was staying), Maverick Tours (I took the Silver Cloud tour). The company exuded professionalism and my pilot was informative and fun (to give an example, as we were taxi’ing up the runway, the theme tune to Top Gun came through our headphones … I knew we were in for a fun time !). I had never been in a helicopter before, so before I show you some photos from the trip, let me share a few thoughts with you …
I will NEVER complain about turbulence on a plane ever again …
Taking photos from a helictopter is hard (that’s my excuse for any wonky skylines haha) …
I have an all new respect and admiration for Yann Arthus-Bertrand (check out The Earth from the Air books to see what I mean) …
With all that said … here are a few shots from the air … it is really difficult to convey the scale of this landscape and, actually, seeing it with your own eyes doesn’t make that any easier, it’s a lot for the brain to take in !
Thanks to Jerry Ghionis for lending me a proper camera (5DII) with 70-200 and 17-40, these made my job a little easier !
Additional thanks to Jeff Ascough for his amazing Silver Actions which were used to process these images !
First, what’s wrong with the word awesome? LOL.
Second, awesome work. These are just absolutely beautiful. Great job. One of the most difficult things for me is to capture something so beautiful when I am completely enamoured by it. For me, it would take a 2nd or 3rd trip to capture it. But, you got it on the first try. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing.
Nothing personal, but I hate you Gill 🙂 These are fabulous. You must put some on your wall. I would love to see the Grand Canyon, but have helicopterphobia!
x
These are just stunning and I love your post processing on them. It’s a crazy once in a lifetime experience huh!
Jerry … thank you … your comment is, like, AWESOME lol
Sara … I have developed helicopterphobia, trust me haha
Nikki … OMG, thanks for encouraging me to do this … I have to say I didn’t cry, I was too bloody afraid 😀
Breathtakingly beautiful shots. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and haven’t been yet. If I ever get to go I’m sure I’ll think of these images and be inspired to have a go too. I don’t think I could achieve anything like this level of awesomeness but I’m in awe that you did 🙂
I didn’t even notice if there were any wonky horizons… the subject just grabs your attention. I like the PP – think it’s time I dug out Jeff’s silver actions and gave them another try.
I hate you
🙂 Wow.
Truly stunning work Gill.
Gill –
Your images are stunning. The view amazing. I would do this again in a heartbeat! Glad you had fun. Sorry we missed each other
Hi Gill,
I have been following your wonderful photographs in Facebook, you capture special moments perfectly.
The Grand Canyon photographs are amazing and geography is one of my interests so to see such beautiful photographs was fantastic.
Keep up the wonderful work!
MarieL
Absolutely amazing photos Gill. Truly breathtaking. You are very talented and I am soooo jealous.
One question though…why were you taxiing on a runway in a helicopter? 🙂
ah ok … it’s all very strange … the helicopter takes off from McCarran, so you have to taxi to a safe take off point on the runway, right beside all the jets and stuff taking off beside you, its very very cool … and not just a little bit scary 😀
Absolutely stunning! And you’re a braver soul than I! Nice work, Gill.
Love the pics and loving your work as always……….
Wow, outstanding images, I visited the Grand Canyon about 15 years ago and will never forget how small it made me feel, I know what you mean about it’s a lot for the brain to take in, your images capture it perfectly. Brilliant work as always.
WOW! I have never seen the canyon quite that way! Nothing short of AMAZING!