Contributing editor Jim Richardson is a photojournalist recognized for his explorations of small-town life. His photos appear frequently in National Geographic magazine.
Don't get me wrong. Shooting aerials is great fun, even if I make it sound like hard work. It's a new world when you get up there. Textbook geology (dry as dust in the classroom) leaps to fascinating life. Intricate patterns of human life reveal themselves magically. And the borders and boundaries of our world lay out plainly before our eyes. I never get tired of it. For all of the precautions and caveats of my previous post on shooting aerials, let me make this clear: it's worth it.
Not all the time, not for every situation, and most of all, not without reason. I'm not one for taking pictures just because they look nice. I'm a believer in working pictures.
And in Cornwall, where I shot this picture out on the ancient lands of the Penwith peninsula, I had a job to do. I needed to show two things. First, the ancient patterns of the Celtic fields, laid out with the "hedges" so common in the Cornish landscape. A hedge is a dry stone fence that comes—over the centuries—to be covered with wildflowers. Some of them are 2,000 years old and are protected by British law as part of the national heritage.
Second, I wanted to show how the farms lay close by the sea, bounded by the rugged Cornish coast where high cliffs protect snug little beaches unknown to all but the locals. And in a magazine layout (this was for National Geographic Traveler) I need to do it all in one picture. There's not time or space to spread this little narrative over several pictures as you might do in a slide show. No, it needs to be quick and simple.
This situation was pretty much made for an aerial photograph. I was lucky enough to find a plane down at the Lands End aerodrome and within 15 minutes of popping into the air I saw the picture I needed. I could have spent days looking for the right vantage point (and never have found it). So even on a cost basis, this was a bargain.
And with this picture in hand I could concentrate on other important pictures, like looking for the perfect pub (and the perfect pint).
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
- Why outdoor adventure is important for women as they ageWhy outdoor adventure is important for women as they age
Travel
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital