Sandy

"Beach-goers soak in the sun on the sandy beach in Ocean City, Md. on the Fourth of July, Monday, July 4, 2011."

Ideally shooting aerials is done safely from a helicopter. There are many positives to it, rather than a plane, but I had an issue getting into one for this assignment.

There are virtually no helicopters in Ocean City, Md., so my last option was a small airplane which could barley squeeze four people - uncomfortably. Having never really known how high I have flown during past aerial assignments, and never had shot from a plane before, I wasn't sure what lenses to bring.

While I shot a majority of the time in the air with a 70-200mm and a 1.4 extender, my 400mm would have been a better option. I did have my assistant hold on to it in the rear of the plane. Alas, there was no way I would have been able to safely hang a 11-pound lens out, or near, the window.

Despite the strain from the awkwardness of shooting from the plane, and having 100 mph winds rip through my eardrum, I'm happy with the result of this and the last post. I think they would look simply brilliant next to one another on a wall.

But, as per usual, they could be better. Yet I say that after every assignment. Once it's over, I can always think of how I could have made it perfect.

I'll be getting a gallery of extra aerials up. If you're interested, email me or please visit this link which will be updated in the near future.