Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude
Last Saturday, I had some fun with one of Sapulpa’s talented photographers and drone pilots, Gabe, also known on Facebook as “The Drone Jedi.” I’ve been following his posts and am a big fan of his awesome storm photos and his beautiful pictures of Oklahoma sunrises and sunsets.
A few years ago, I happened to see a drone hovering overhead while standing in my backyard. I thought it was the Drone Jedi as I had already become a fan of his work. Weeks later, I saw the drone again and figured it was Gabe. This time the drone started to descend, and I went to the front yard only to see my neighbor Paul land his drone in his driveway. I walked across the street asking, “Are you the Drone Jedi?” Paul was amused and let me know that he was another drone pilot who goes by the name “Sixty 6 Drone Works.” Paul and I, being neighbors, had many discussions about drone photography, and I even wrote a story about him a little over a year ago.
Paul has taken some awesome pictures of my house and classic cars. His skills and abilities fascinate me, and I’ve enjoyed learning from him.
All this time, I have continued to comment on Gabe’s eye through the lens on Facebook. We made comments about getting together one day, and it finally happened last week. We had a couple of free cups of coffee downtown last Friday and talked a lot about the joy of photography. I have a great interest in the kind of pictures that a camera can take from a drone.
My history with cameras goes back to the 70s, when I was studying photography in college. Now, not only was that 50 years ago, but it was also before the development of digital photography. Back then, I printed my pictures from negatives, in a darkened room with a red light, using chemicals to develop the images on paper. Taking pictures today is hyper-easier, not to mention being able to see the photos for free on a multitude of devices that produce stunning pictures that you can share with friends and family all over the world in practically no time at all.
It’s a different world with different technology, but it still requires an eye for what it is that makes a picture stunning. You can learn that in school, as I did. Composition, detail, being aware of everything that will be in the background, but most of all, having the correct light. I recently learned how my phone can take something out of my picture that I didn’t want in the background. Don’t ask me how it does, but it does work.
Lighting is something that needs to be addressed up front. While you can lighten or darken the image, it’s not the same. When you take your picture counts, and that is one of the most important points that separates good photographers from amateurs. Gabe knows this, and it is a big factor in why his pictures are so dramatic. I knew what it meant when I asked him if he would like to do a photo shoot of my Studebaker along Route 66. Sure enough, he suggested we get started about 6 am. That was no surprise for me, and I like to get up early if I have a good excuse. Otherwise, I am getting better at sleeping in now that I’m retired. But I knew this was going to be fun. And fun it was.
The pictures used to illustrate this story are pictures I took with my camera phone. Gabe took a bunch of pictures, but I have another project that will be enhanced by his magnificent talent. I shared with him how much I like the convenience of taking quality pictures with your phone. It fits in your pocket, and you always have your phone with you. When I was doing a lot of photography for all of my classic car activities, I didn’t like the fact that I had to carry a large bag to hold my camera, tripod, extra lenses, film and more. It was cool being a photographer, and there was some pride associated with the end product, but carrying around all the equipment was a drag. It’s wonderful to be able to take quality images without having to carry all that. But being able to take photos with a drone is literally, and figuratively, at another level altogether.
That’s why I enjoyed my time with Gabe so much, and why I enjoy talking with Paul too. What these two men do on a regular basis is like hanging out with George Jetson to me. (You may have to google that one if you didn’t grow up in the 60s.) As much as that technology makes me want to know more, it also scares me to learn too much of that stuff. I’m an old man and actually like being technologically challenged. Sometimes I just don’t want to be savvy about all this hooey. I‘m happier just being in awe. Thanks for taking me for a ride, Gabe…
