Personal Background.
Dale Fisher grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He began his aerial photography career in the 1960’s during his time in the United States Navy as a reconnaissance photographer. After returning home, he worked for the Ann Arbor news as a photographer. He is known as the world’s only aerial artist-photographer that works exclusively from a helicopter to produce all of his photo works and has been a successful aerial photographer for over 53 years. He has an art gallery: Dales Fisher Galleries that is located on a 200-year-old farm in Grass Lake, Michigan. Visitors can go to Eyry of The Eagle to see his works.
Style.
Dale’s style is definitely different from other photographers because his expertise and specialty are airborne photos. And, he is not just any aerial photographer. His signature technique is in turning aerial photos into works of art, branding him as an “artist” photographer. He works with color, light, and shadows from a helicopter while traveling at speeds of up to 120 mile per hour. This enables him to turn mundane objects and scenery such as freeways, buildings, and construction sites into works of art with colorful graphic patterns.
Philosophy.
Dale’s work showcases his desire to turn one’s surroundings into art shot from the air. His photographs include wildlife, nautical, and landscape images from a number of States: Michigan, Hawaii, Arizona, and New York. His philosophy to capture beauty, presence, and purpose are apparent as he makes artistic photographs from one’s surroundings in both urban and rural settings. Turning everyday scenery into art is what Dale Fisher’s work represents.
Influences.
I was intrigued by Dale Fisher’s work, mostly because he works exclusively in the air from a helicopter. It’s a unique method to take photographs and even more so that you need to train your eye to see things at such high speeds and capture “art” in motion. I am going to try to do the same from the ground. I have taken some interesting images from the plane myself, but nowhere near the ground as Dale has done. It’s inspiring to see that he has turned a necessary skill of reconnaissance photography into an aspiration he has for art, and successfully combined the two together.
Compare and contrast.
Deer Trail High Step (Dale Fisher) Deer Trot (Me)
This photo was a bit challenging to emulate because Dale took his image from the air and I took mine on the ground. I was careful with my camera position and angle in getting just close enough without startling the animal. I wanted to capture the sleek movement of a deer trotting through the woods in motion, giving the viewer a sense of tranquility from the perspective of the animal, seemingly oblivious and even careless to its watchers. In both images, the Winter light seems to provide a sense of calm and stillness for the deer trotting through its natural environment.
Old Bridge at Guenther Pond (Dale Fisher) Over Icy Waters (Me)
This image was the most straightforward photo for me because compared to Dale’s image, my photo could easily be imagined as of taken from a low-flying helicopter. I was able to accomplish this by choosing the view and angle from the dam I hiked up overlooking the Huron River from the dam bridge. The poignant focus I selected from up high on the bridge enabled me to capture this view from a sky-like angle. Using the sky as light to highlight the surrounding trees, you can almost pick up a faint color of a Fall season in the background just like Dale did in his photo.
Winter Turkeys (Dale Fisher) Majestic Oak (Me)
For this picture, I focused on “wave” and angle of the oak tree branches rather than any wildlife activity on the ground. Capturing as much light from the Winter sky offered just enough of a blue/gray tone from which the naked branches are able to splay themselves in a vast-like motion, showing off its majestic strength and greatness. Dale’s photo has a broader more expansive silhouette of the tree than mine does. However, highlighting the branches in an up-motion type camera angle provides for an artistic view of this majestic oak.
Artist's statement.
I really surprised myself in taking these pictures. I chose Dale Fisher as the photographer because his uniqueness in fusing photography and fine art to create his signature works. I hope that my three photos capture a sense of artistic imagery. The first photo (Deer Trot) represents the simplicity of nature and how everyone can appreciate a breath of fresh air from everyday stress. Majestic Oak represents strength and steadfastness. Even though the branches are leaning from enduring years of the elements, the great oak stands tall and undaunted. The tree reminds us to bloom where we’re planted and create as we grow. The third photo (Bridge Over Icy Water), represents the consistency of change in life. The bridge symbolizes staying on a steady path and that we can all sometimes welcome support along the way.
Sources.
Sites.
https://www.michigan.org/property/dale-fisher-galleries
https://dalefishergalleries.com/about/
http://themanchestermirror.com/2016/10/31/helicopter-photographer-dale-fisher-looking-for-manchester-sponsors-for-new-book/
https://dalefishergalleries.com/about/
http://themanchestermirror.com/2016/10/31/helicopter-photographer-dale-fisher-looking-for-manchester-sponsors-for-new-book/
Images.
Deer Trail High Step
https://dalefishergalleries.com/product/deer-trail-high-step/#
Winter Turkeys
https://dalefishergalleries.com/product/winter-turkeys/#
Old Bridge at Guenther Pond
https://dalefishergalleries.com/product/old-bridge-guenther-pond-2/#
https://dalefishergalleries.com/product/deer-trail-high-step/#
Winter Turkeys
https://dalefishergalleries.com/product/winter-turkeys/#
Old Bridge at Guenther Pond
https://dalefishergalleries.com/product/old-bridge-guenther-pond-2/#