The Commercial Photographers Network’s member for Plymouth Tony Cobley was given an exciting commission recently. Tony was asked to produce PR Case Study photography showing the airlift of a modular building across Plymouth Sound to a radar station by Chinook aircraft!
As a PR photographer in Plymouth, Tony’s challenge was to take long shots of the module being lifted over the sea as well as close-ups of the landing.
To enable him to do this without missing any of the stages he shot with two cameras, one with a telephoto lens on a tripod and another hand-held with a wide angle lens.
Due to the many hazards and close proximity, Tony was given special ear protection, PPE and even a helicopter helmet by the RAF officer in charge.
After a safety briefing, he was allowed closer than any other spectator during the landing. All his photography equipment had to be tethered because of gale force winds and huge down drafts from the aircraft.
Long shot of RAF Chinook lifting a modular building over the sea near Plymouth.
Tony made site visits which were called off due to various logistical reasons, but the whole thing finally went ahead on his third visit.
When taking similar PR shots, CPN photographers will shoot wide context shots as well as a series of action images, in order to convey the narrative of the event and tell the story.
The resulting PR photography can then be used by the client for press releases and social media and as case studies on their website.
RAF Chinook landing a modular building at a radar station near Plymouth.
After the shoot, Tony said; “This was one of my most exciting photo shoots ever and I was blown away not only by the downdraft but also by the phenomenal skill of the RAF pilots in such gusty high wind conditions.”
Very skilful piloting of the Chinook helicopter was needed during the airlift.
If you have an industrial product or service to promote or any kind of event to be documented, why not contact the Commercial Photographers Network to discuss creative ideas. Wherever you are, we have a photographer near you!
