Taking pictures from the air is one good way to share what it is like to “slip the surly bonds of earth.” It is different view of our world. As a Navy pilot I was always taking pictures from the air, many of which were part of information gathering such as “rigging” ships (identifying configuration, type, mission, name) or identifying damage, etc. As a civilian, it was more the snap shooter, with something to share. Living in the northwest, it was not uncommon that I could see eight volcanoes from my vantage point at about 4000 feet altitude. There are challenges in airborne photography for sure, from not flying into the water, to handling haze, vibration and motion, and reflections in the cockpit. But the ability to share a view not all mortals get to see makes the effort worth while.