I originally started traveling to New Zealand for commercial photo and video work. Visually, there are few place on earth that exude the beauty of that place AND it has the benefit of being opposite seasonally (opposite hemisphere) from most of the brands/agencies etc that I work for. Great 6 month lead time for campaign creation, media buying, etc. It’s geographically very dense with variety as well. It’s a home run for productions. As such I’ve been heading down there to shoot campaigns for many years.
It was in these travels for commercial work that I fell in love with the New Zealand landscape and started a personal project aiming to capture that beauty from the air. Nothing too serious…more casual initially. But in the past 3 years it has grown more serious with each return. I’ve learned that mountains and landscapes can often photograph a lot like people. They have moods, personalities, essences. Capturing those has become the goal of my Aerial New Zealand project.
At the beginning of this Chase Jarvis RAW vid, you’ll see the door come off of the helicopter, you’ll see my shooting rig, and some safety measures…but the real fun begins after that where we’re buzzing above the Southern Alps of New Zealand, up canyons, and across deltas making pictures–both still and moving. Flying around in a helicopter above what I’d argue is one-of-if-not-THE most beautiful landscape in the world is humbling and stunning and so many things at the same time–not to mention just effing cool. I hope you enjoy the vid. There’s a handful of still images from the end of the video after the jump…
I’ve had the good fortune of shooting out of helicopters for more than a decade…and can say that I never get over how fun it is. Having probably taken 100 or more rides, it never gets old. I’m grateful to have worked with some of the best pilots in the world as well. In this video, Alfie (Queenstown Heliworks) works his magic. Thank you Alfie.
Needless to say, if you ever get a chance to fly, you must absolutely grab that chance.
Check out the images below, but also feel free to check out a bigger gallery selection of images from this project here.
Happy to answer any aerial photography questions you might have in the comments. Thanks for spending some time with the video.
Kia ora Chase,
That bungy suspension rig looks like a simple solution to a complicated problem.
The few times I’ve done aerial heli work I could have really done with that.
Did you hire it (in NZ) or is it your own? Commercial product or designed and made on the kitchen table?
More info please!
Those black and whites look great to me. Living here, you get use to the predictable arcadian landscape pictures so it’s always good to see a new take on New Zealand landscape photography.
Some New Zealand landscape photographers who also followed their own vision instead of the pack include Brian Brake (Magnum), Robin Morrison and Andris Apse. Well worth checking out.
Cheers,
Adrian
Nice images. What lenses were you sporting on your H3D?
Great video, amazing pics…. and a camera to drool and dream about!
Dear Chase,
I want your job!!!!!!!
Please can I work with you for a week? Please????
Kind Regards,
Stu
Stunning once again!