I absolutely do NOT envy any photojournalist who has ever or will ever be in the actual situation of photographing an active shooting event. I know it was just an exercise today, but at moments it seemed all too real. They did an incredible job making it look and feel like it was really happening.
One of the “victims” in today’s active shooter drill is carried away from Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester (more images on Cedarmeade Studios’ Facebook page).
I was cleared for takeoff this evening. Yep, I filed my first (and second) flight plan. It’s kinda surreal for me that I’ve made it this far. When I got my first aerial camera, it was so new that there weren’t really any regulations for it (which explains all the images in my collection that I can’t really shoot these days). It’s crazy how fast the governemnt moved on this set of regulations. But I’m always about what’s next and that usually spells trouble for me being a gear-head and all. I have to separate myself from the ever-growing community of “dronies” who are basically shooting with the same super-wide-angle-infinity-focus camera that everybody else has. That’s not good enough for me anymore. Not after tonight’s flight.
Can you appreciate what’s slightly different about this aerial image? | Order a print of this image.
Not quite official, yet. I still have to be vetted by the TSA, but I’m over the hump to being an officially certificated Remote Pilot by the FAA. At least for the next 24 months. No rest for the weary though. I have to remain up-to-date on everything. Use it or lose it, right?
What a relief!
I’ve been lucky enough to live in towns where a drive-in theater is minutes away. If you haven’t been to the Family Drive-In in Stephens City, I’d encourage you to give it a try. Now that’s some good old-fashioned fun. I had the opportunity to visit one in South Dakota in an RV and I’ll tell you, there’s no better way to enjoy it than in an RV.
The Family Drive-In in Stephens City from a different perspective. | Order a print of this image.
Cedarmeade Studios 