May 2009 Archives

Ok, here are the rules -

1.  Be one of the first three people to correctly identify where the following picture is. BE SPECIFIC! For example, if the image is Liberty Park, you can't just say "Salt Lake City" or "Downtown Salt Lake", you would have to say "Liberty Park in Salt Lake City".

2.  Email me the correct answer - I'll take the first three correct emails! Email me here: allen@utahbyair.com

3.  You can use any method* to find the correct location, it doesn't matter how you find it!

That's it! The first three CORRECT answers will receive one free 11x14 ready to frame print of any image in our stock library, your choice. Good luck!

Here's the image - click on it for a larger version:

Within the first three seconds of meeting someone for the first time, you are evaluated. An opinion is formed about you based on your appearance, body language, demeanor, how you are dressed, etc. With every new encounter, a new first impression is formed. These first impressions can be very difficult to undo, making the first encounter very important as it sets the tone for the relationship that follows. Here is how the process works:

• If you appear to be of comparable business or social level, you are considered suitable for further interaction.

• If you appear to be of higher business or social status, you are admired and cultivated as a valuable contact.

• If you appear to be of lower business or social standing, you are tolerated but kept at arm's length.

• If you are in an interview situation, you can either appear to match the corporate culture or not, ultimately affecting the outcome.

The same principal holds true for your business. How you present your business also creates opinions in your prospective clients that is hard to change or undo. One of the very first things a prospective client sees, likely even before they see you, is your place of business, your building. Here's where we can help!

Many of our client are proud of their buildings, and rightly so. They spent much time and money designing them to their specifications, constructing or renovating, creating landscaping, etc. all because they want their building to reflect their business. After all the work that's put into a place of business, it only makes sense to have professional architectural photography as a record, a display piece, an advertising tool, etc.

There are many aspects of exterior architectural photography that take years to perfect. Choosing the right angle and framing, getting the lighting just right and keeping the building properly exposed while not blowing out the sky are just of few of things that go into great architectural photography. It's far more than just showing up with a camera. Often there needs to be coordination to handle the many different options that need to be considered. Do you want cars in the parking lot? Do you want the lights on inside, or are we going to capture the reflection of the sunset in the windows? Do you want the giant banner on the side of the building removed? There are countless options and technical aspects that need addressing, and a professional architectural photographer can work with you to produce an image you will be just as proud of as you are of your building. Architectural photography is one of our specialties and we can make that first impression a great first impression for you!

I was 18 years old, living in Montreal, Canada, when I shot my first construction progress shots. That was many years ago, but even then contractors knew the value of recording what was happening on their construction sites. Shooting from the top of a nearby building, I remember wanting to be just a little higher so I could get a better view of things. Little did I realize that my later interest in flying would provide those coveted angles that really showed what was happening on the ground.

But enough of the past, let's look at what's happening today. The economy has taken a disturbing downward turn, building is off, and most businesses are cutting back or being very cautious with their spending. So why consider spending extra money on aerial construction progress photography? . . . . Because a visual image will help maximize your efforts, facilitate planning, and likely pay for itself in the long run! How? Information, that's how. We live in the information age. People want to know, and with aerial photography you'll have a record of what's been done and when it was completed, all verified by a third party. Your banker, out-of-town investors, or partners will also be pleased see the progress (and it might just save them a trip). Your web site will be updated with current photos that can show access routes and adjacent properties to promote your project to potential renters or buyers, not to mention possible customers for future projects. The images are guaranteed to be the centerpiece of your construction and planning meetings; when people can see how they are doing and how everything is coming together they get excited and feel a real sense of accomplishment. And don't forget your Board of Directors meetings; aerial images will be a hit there, too. Wouldn't it be great to have a professional-looking historical record of a project from start to finish? The answer is YES!

Nothing shows off a piece of property, building, or construction site like an aerial photograph! People always look at aerial photographs; they are unique. The "bird's eye" view shows it all. High-resolution, near real-time images are chock full of current, valuable information. In response to the economy, we have temporarily cut our prices for aerial progress photography. We think you'll be surprised at how affordable our services can be. Give us a call to discuss how we can make aerial photography a part of your current or upcoming construction project.

*Actually, we'll fly it, we'll shoot it, and you'll like it - guaranteed!

Our latest aerial stock shoot took us to Monument Valley, Utah. After finally getting a break in the weather, Stan and I took off on a Tuesday afternoon and headed south over the eastern slopes of Mount Nebo and over the Manti valley. We turned east at I-70 east then headed south to Capitol Reef National Park. Utah has some amazing geological features and one of best is Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef. You don't get the whole effect from the ground, but from the air it is spectacular!

We then continued over to Escalante Canyon and followed it down until it merged with the main channel in Lake Powell. Don't tell anyone, but spring is a great time to head to Lake Powell - the lake is gorgeous, the weather is perfect and no one is there! I think we saw three boats on the lake. We followed the channel upstream to Hall's Crossing then headed over to Cal Black Memorial Airport for fuel. After filling up we headed directly to Goulding's airstrip at Monument Valley. After checking into the hotel, we headed back up into the sky to get some sunset shots of Monument Valley. Our timing was perfect, but the low clouds on the horizon interfered with what was otherwise a gorgeous sunset.

In the morning we were up and in the air before the sun, and we had great shooting conditions in Monument Valley. The air was perfectly smooth, and the formations looked awesome in the warm morning light. We then flew up to the San Juan arm of Lake Powell and followed it down to the main channel. After a few circles around Rainbow Bridge National Monument, we continued down the lake to Wahweap bay and Glenn Canyon Dam.

Paria canyon was next on the list, and the geology of the area makes some of the eroding hills look like sherbet ice cream! Paria is a ghost town with almost nothing left after a fire a few years ago, but it was the location set of several western movies. Continuing on, we flew North to Bryce Canyon. Most people never get to see the canyons and hoodoos from the air looking west - spectacular! We topped of the tanks at Bryce Canyon airport and flew over Otter Creek Reservoir on our way to Wayne Wonderland airport, near Loa, for lunch.

It was a great couple of days flying over Utah and taking in some of the most spectacular scenery our state has to offer. For more shots from the flight, click on the "Stock" tab above, go to our stock site, and then search for "monument", "lake powell", "escalante", etc. or you can click this link: http://tr.im/kdDv - you get the idea!