Fri, Sep 08, 2006
Famed Aerial Photographer Was 89
Aero-News would like to pay tribute to one of the pioneers in
the field of aerial photography.
William A Garnett was known the world over for his sweeping
aerial photographs of sand dunes, suburbs, swamps, and plowed
fields. Bringing to life the beauty of those places that seem most
mundane on the ground, Garnett was first attracted to aerial
photography while hitching a ride home onboard a military aircraft
at the end of World War II.
Fate placed him in the navigator's seat on that overloaded
flight... where he first saw the richness of the earth below, from
up above. He later called that experience an epiphany... and
resolved to learn to fly a plane himself so he could capture those
images for others to see.
By 1955 -- piloting his own Cessna 170 Garnett was doing exactly
that... beginning a career that spanned over 50 years.
"His work was poetic and he saw the landscape in an incredibly
beautiful way," said Stephen White, who showed Garnett's photos in
a 1982 exhibition, to The Los Angeles Times. "I don't think there
is anyone that comes close to him in doing aerial photography from
an aesthetic point of view."
Garnett passed away August 24, in his Napa Valley home. He was
89... and now, we salute him with the honorific held for all pilots
who have crossed to the other side.
William Garnett has gone west... where the landscapes are
breathtakingly beautiful, and the lighting is always perfect. We
trust Garnett is still flying his Cessna... and has his camera
close by.
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