Story Behind the Image: 6

August 11, 2020

This image was something I had thought about before. Never thinking about ever having the opportunity to take this photograph though. The idea came back when I was catching up with a friend when he started sharing about his flight experience in a Cessna C170B. Of course this conversation sparked my interest and I had to ask for a trip around downtown Pittsburgh. So then we started planning, he created a flight plan and I started researching angles I could possibly get from 3,000ft within the sky. This photograph however was the main one I wanted to capture throughout the whole flight. So when we went past Point State Park and the rest of downtown, the plane roll was a perfect spot to be able to capture the wing and the city within one frame from the window. The reflection on the wing was completely unexpected but brought another amazing detail to this frame.

I went about taking this photograph as how I would any take any photograph, figure out exposure, make any more adjustments and make sure I’m getting clear photographs through any possible obstacles such as the window I shot through for this frame. Once I have all of that figured out I just buckled down and started photographing as much as I could as we were moving pretty quickly around the downtown area. Being comfortable while taking photographs is not a must but it sure helps, with my fear of heights it took me some time to get over being suspended in air with mild turbulence, but after 20min or so I was comfortable with the discomfort and was able to capture some of my personal favorite images and perspectives I’ve been able to capture of downtown Pittsburgh.

I hope you enjoyed this blog and I look forward to sharing another photographic story, of course ask any questions you may think of and I’ll be sure to get back to you! Thank you for taking the time to read about this Pittsburgh aerial photograph!

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Story Behind the Image: 3

October 30, 2017

This is my NEW series I am going to do on my blog about the images I have taken. I'll be able to give a perspective and description of everything going on in the one moment that I clicked the shutter. If you have any other images you'd like to hear the story behind make sure to email me at nkoehlerphotography@gmail.com

Image: Barge Sunrise
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
Year: 2017
Camera: Nikon D750, 24-70 2.8

This image happened on an early June morning. I was driving down to the West End Overlook while scouting out the low clouds. I felt that it would be a good sunrise. Upon arriving to the Overlook I grabbed my camera equipment and moved to my favorite viewpoint there. This viewpoint gives me the opportunity to look through some plants along the hill into the downtown region of Pittsburgh. My main expectation for this image was just a sunrise with the sun blasting through the image. But the sight was much different, Pittsburgh was covered in clouds and it was a very quiet morning. So waiting till the sun was rising I started shooting. Around the time I was going to leave the sun reached this spot in the sky and I saw the Barge to start moving off the dock. I was over-excited to see some action happening while the sunrise was this beautiful and the fog had cleared off Pittsburgh. Very happy with this image and is one of my top images on Instagram. @nkoehlerphotography

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Story Behind the Image: 2

October 19, 2017

Image: Duquesne Incline Sunrise
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
Year: 2017
Camera: Nikon D750, 24-70 2.8

This image is from the Duquesne Incline from Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, PA. I had been wanting to take this image for awhile before I finally went to capture it. I figured sunrise would be the best time to go. Watching the sun rise behind the city is one of the most beautiful things. The sun had just had a dramatic rise before this morning clear white sky sprung into action. This light brought the leaves a glow and a highlight on the side of the Cable Car moving up and down the hill. When noticing this light began to show I quickly changed my settings to accommodate the possibility of a sun flare shooting across the frame. What I like most about this image is the simplicity of how the city looks and the light casting across the sky hitting the summer leaves. I could not have asked for better conditions, and will be for sure back up here when the fall leaves settle in.

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The Trip

December 01, 2016

"The Trip" happened in late June early July of this past summer (2016). This trip was a trip around the state parks of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. My friends, Jared, Luke, and JC embarked on this trip late June early July.

Day 1

"The Trip" started in Pittsburgh and our first stop was the Allegheny National Forest. 76.6mi - 1hr 50min

The next stop was Elk State Forest, which we saw a few Elk.. Of course! 45.5mi - 1hr 12min

After Elk State Forest, we moved on Sproul State Forest. 32.1mi - 57min

First time experimenting with Steel Wool.

Day 2

After waking up in Sproul State Forest; we moved onto Tioga State Forest. 9.6mi - 18min

Ansonio Park was our next stop. Which we didn't find much so then we moved onto Worlds End State Park. Which led us to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. 61.3 mi - 1hr 39min / 91.5mi - 2hr

Played with Steel Wool again. Got chased out of the woods by Coyotes.

Also able to see the Milky Way for the first time around 1am.

Day 3

We then we traveled onto Hickory Run State Park. Which turned into us going a little further and traveling to Ricketts Glen State Park. 101.4mi - 1hr 55min

Day 4

We then visited a Wolf Sanctuary. 2.1mi - 4min. Then Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. 100.8mi - 1hr 53min

After the Wildlife Management Area. We then traveled to Patapsco Valley State Park. 175mi - 2hr 52min

Then we traveled to the Humpback Rocks outside of Shenandoah National Park. Which gave us a great view, and a up close with Turkey Vultures. 162mi - 3hr 7min