Page 28 - Twin and Turbine September 2017

WHO:
Deon Mitton
WHERE:
Los Angeles, California
POSITION:
Director of service reliability engineering at Sony PlayStation
Aviation photographer
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Commercial land / seaplane
Private pilot helicopter Tailwheel
by Rebecca Groom Jacobs
1. When did you first enter the aerial photography scene?
I started in 1993 as soon as I earned my pilot’s license. Photography has always been a passion of mine and once I got in the air, I immediately wanted to capture the incredible bird’s-eye view general aviation offers. I am a conservationist at heart, so it became a goal to share with the world this unique, lesser-known perspective of nature. And though some of my work is now published and found in promotional materials, I still look at it as a hobby, not a business. Most of my jobs are a result of word-of-mouth or social media.
2. How has social media influenced today’s photography industry?
Social media has become a powerful communications tool. It enables us as photographers to reach a global audience instantaneously and engage with them in real-time. Personally, my goal with social media is to share my photos to 1) promote the importance of participating in efforts to preserve our natural resources; and 2) inspire the upcoming generation to engage in aviation in any way possible.
Technology enables us to deliver a glimpse of this world, right to their mobile devices, 24x7. If my work achieves either of the above, I did my job.
3. From which aircraft do you prefer to photograph?
Depends on the airspeed of the subject aircraft and/or the location on the ground. But I have shot from most platforms, including Bell, Robinson and Airbus. For air-to-air work, a high-wing Cessna such as the C170 or C185 is a good platform. The Bonanza is probably one of the most versatile, as it has a broad speed envelope, which is helpful to cover most turbine-powered aircraft as well. I’ve also used de Havilland Otters, Beavers and Quest Kodiaks. I have a special appreciation for flying in and photographing seaplanes in remote wilderness locations.
Jet Journal
26 • TWIN & TURBINE
September 2017