The old way of taking aerial photographs
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (363803)
Rockingham, Australia
August 21, 2025 3:47am CST
When we lived in Esperance, Vince worked at the port authority. They wanted to build a small boat harbour meaning a harbour for small boats away from the main harbour. They needed aerial photos of the proposed site. Nowadays they’d just put a drone up I guess.
It was important that the photos were not distorted in any way so had to be taken from a vertical perspective. It was arranged that the door would be taken off a small plane and Vince would hang head and shoulders out the door to take the necessary photographs.
The only think holding him safe was a seat-belt through his trouser belt. Just before they took off Vince asked the pilot if there would be any drag. The pilot answered that he didn’t know. He’d never flown with the door off before. Anyway they got the job done and Vince didn’t all out so all was well.
The photo was taken in Esperance.
14 people like this
14 responses
@DaddyEvil (160026)
• United States
21 Aug
That could NOT have been a comfortable experience for Vince...
Pretty and I went up in a helicopter after the pilot took the door off on my side... The pilot thought it was funny to keep tilting the helicopter over so I was hanging by the seatbelt... I'm scared of heights (I do okay as long as I'm fully enclosed) but with that door gone... 
I KNOW he was keeping Pretty entertained by scaring me but still... He didn't get a tip and I refused to talk to him when he finally set us down on the ground.
I KNOW he was keeping Pretty entertained by scaring me but still... He didn't get a tip and I refused to talk to him when he finally set us down on the ground.5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (160026)
• United States
21 Aug
@Fleura I'm positive he was trying to keep Pretty happy but forgot he needed to keep the adult in his helicopter happy, too. I hope he learned that after seeing my reactions to his antics.
Pretty and I have looked for him on our frequent trips through Branson, Missouri, and have never found him. I hope he's doing okay somewhere else.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (363803)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug
I think that is abominable behaviour - quite cruel in fact. A helicopter pilot offered to take the boys for a ride but I had to go with them, which was okay really but I mightn't have bothered otherwise. I was okay until the helicopter was hovering and I just couldn't see how it could stay in the air if it was 'standing still' so to speak.
1 person likes this
Poor Vince, I also do not like heights, I would have been sick.
@allknowing (154216)
• India
22 Aug
Sticking his head out - something like being in space That was a daring thing to do.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (154216)
• India
22 Aug
@JudyEv You have known Vince for years and surely that decision may not be difficult
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7919)
• India
23 Aug
Your captured photo is really beautiful !!
I believe so as the place
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15606)
• Hong Kong
22 Aug
That was a bit risky but there was no choice during those days.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17043)
• China
21 Aug
Your heart must have been in your mouth when Vince did that.If only it could be done by hanging on wires !
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (79360)
• United States
21 Aug
I hope Vince appreciates the drones. Wowza, that’s a hard way to take photos!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (123505)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Aug
I would never do that. But it's a very nice photo
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (89738)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Aug
Nice photo, I have never taken a photo from a plane.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (363803)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug
You're quite right. All the rules and regulations have taken a lot of the fun out of such antics.
@LindaOHio (203074)
• United States
21 Aug
Whew! That would be pretty scary. I don't like heights.
1 person likes this
