Teen Photographer Shares The Story Behind The Shot
I was recently surfing through images on Flickr and my eye was caught by the above shot – an image by 15 year old photographer Gabriella Corrado (view it large here).
The combination of colour, composition, model’s expression and the whole situation of the shot certainly grabbed my attention so I shot Gabrella an email and asked if she’d mind sharing the back story.
Here’s what she wrote back:
At five o’clock in the morning my best friend/model Rebecca Altomare and I were getting ready for one of my favorite photo shoots. She had agreed to walk with me to a small airport close by and even though we had slept for four hours, she did not complain once. This shot was taken at Wings Field in Pennsylvania. It is an airport reserved for privately owned planes. Luckily, while we were there, no one confronted us… It was thrilling to be on the runway and we got to see the most beautiful sunrise. The image came out exactly how I wanted it to and it was a morning I will never forget!
While dPS certainly doesn’t suggest everyone run out to their local airport and invade the tarmac this is certainly a pretty lovely image.
The shot was taken on a Canon EOS Rebel T2i with a 50mm f/1.4 lens.
Update: Gabriella has updated her Flickr page to confirm that the flying plane is added in as an edit. She writes: ‘Yes, the airplane is edited and I am not a pilot so it is not perfect. Can you please look past those things and enjoy the picture.’
25 Responses to “Teen Photographer Shares The Story Behind The Shot” - Add Yours
August 19th, 2012 at 1:25 am
wow thats really a wonderful image and as in photography no one need education all they need is creative eye great work by gabriella
August 19th, 2012 at 2:22 am
I Love It…the lighting and colors and the idea are wonderful…
August 19th, 2012 at 2:24 am
You have to walk over the main runway to get to Gibraltar. Waiting until there are no aircraft, of course
http://wildlifeencounters.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Scenes-from-Gibraltar/G0000UjYi3ZZ.0o4/I0000SXwuERpN49U
August 19th, 2012 at 4:59 am
the big airplane isin’t real in this picture, or heavily edited. Look the left aircraft wheel, where is it? And the position isin’t correct. Bad picture.
August 19th, 2012 at 5:10 am
Sometimes the “shot” just appears and hopefully one has the camera ready to grab and fire away. Congrats, Gabriella
August 19th, 2012 at 5:21 am
Just goes to show you that thinking outside the box pays. Not many people would even think to venture out onto the tarmac of an airport these days.
August 19th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
love the colors in this photograph. Good composition need to see more of his pictures
He is thinking out of the box
August 19th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
The 737 overhead must have been composited. KLOM is half the runway length needed to support a 737NG and I can’t imagine it’s doing a missed approach test or something to that affect. It’s also missing it’s port side bogey.
August 19th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Wow… the guy owns a camera at his very young age… and create great images.. WOW..
August 19th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Liem is right. Very observant. Even my eyes were deceived by this image. The fact still stands, even without the composited image, the creativity of the shot still earns it much praise. It’s only a shame the photographer felt that there needed to be more put into the photo when all it needed was already there.
August 19th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I agree with Liem. As an airport manager, I have a couple problems with this shot. First is the lack of commercial service to this airport, the left main gear is partially missing, and finally the fact she is on a taxiway ( indicated by the yellow centerline) and not the runway. Fabricated, but interesting shot nonetheless.
August 20th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
It is a very nice shot. I think if she would have left out the jumbo plane (if it was put in by her) it would have been just as nice.
http://www.livingdisney.com/2012/08/photographs-of-week-813-819-2012.html
August 21st, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I’m actually quite happy to know that the plane was added in post process. Imagining anyone, especially a teenager, trespassing onto an active runway is frightening. Not only is it a federal crime, but it is extremely dangerous for both her and any aircraft that might have to take emergency actions to avoid her unexpectedly.
It’s a great photo, but not one worth risking all that for.
August 24th, 2012 at 1:13 am
I love it. It amazes me how some people sometimes don’t just enjoy and take in the inspirational moment. I applaud you Gabriella
August 24th, 2012 at 2:26 am
awesome
and inspiring
August 24th, 2012 at 2:43 am
Just wondered if you had a ‘photographer of the week’ or something?
I’m also a 15 year old photographer by struggling to make it into this business
It’d be awesome if you qlcod check Out my photography page?
Facebook.com/midnightskiesphotography
August 24th, 2012 at 2:55 am
seriously people, she’s a 15 year old kid. Who cares if the plane is not real
August 24th, 2012 at 3:53 am
Remembers me what I said to my son: Do daring things but don’t do stupid things, because nobody got hurt on this one I think you Gabriella did the former and your picture is beautiful.
August 24th, 2012 at 3:54 am
Great shot. I love the background haze before the rising sun burns it off. Airports at odd hours are awesome places, aren’t they. This is a great photo even without the airliner – if you want to play with editing, edit it back out and edit in a biplane or Piper Cub. Of course, then, us old ramp rats would concentrate more on IDing it rather than appreciating the photograph.
I second, or third, or eighteenth what others have said about the safety and security issues. If you want to do shots like this again, have someone with you who knows their way around the ramp. Find an aircraft owner or pilot and ask if he or she can help you. Offer to take pictures of their plane in return.
Good work,
soup
August 24th, 2012 at 4:32 am
Great job Gabriella. Not only having the nerve to take the picture but to be honest and publish it. My daughter is 15 and I would probably discipline her and tell my friends how cool she is. I like your quote in DPS “The image came out exactly how I wanted it to and it was a morning I will never forget!”
August 24th, 2012 at 5:15 am
Wonderful picture, made more wonderful by the courage and age of the photographer and model. Responding to hvp and jth, there were, in my active shooting phase, 1958 to 1978, numerous “golden” opportunities I passed up our of excessive “respect” for rules and laws, as well as an excessive desire not to offend. Cowardice, a problem for some, was never my problem. Great eye–those who commented on the post-production addition of the commercial plane! Gullible, like many, I missed that.
August 24th, 2012 at 6:43 am
I’ve seen a lot of Gabriella’s work and I remember this one.. it was nice to hear the story to it. She is bound to be one of my favorite photographers out there. amazing.
August 24th, 2012 at 11:56 am
Oh, that is such an awesomely great shot!! Really, the colors are perfect and the sunrise is absolutely beautiful!! Great shot, Gabriella!!!
August 24th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
warm!
August 26th, 2012 at 9:17 am
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to see other aviation folks chiming in here. From the airport manager to the guys who knew the airport identifier! Feels good to be surrounded by fellow aviators! Up until November 2010 when I had my spinal injury I was a Captain for Avantair flying the P180. Before that I flew for United Express and USAIR express in the CRJ200, 700, 900.
I miss flying a lot – I miss photography a lot too for that matter. Was nice to see you guys!
Jason
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