Total Solar Eclipse in a Pilatus PC-12

Earlier this year, on April 8th 2024 - I had an opportunity to fly from New Jersey to Buffalo, New York in a private Pilatus PC-12 to experience the path of totality.

Having never done this before, I did a bit of research and picked out my gear. For this trip, I would be taking photos with my trusty Sony a1; the Sony 100-400 GM lens and a solar filter. 

I also wanted to capture the experience of the flight. For that, I had a Leica Q2, a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and a GoPro Hero 12. Along with a lot of batteries. A lot. 

Given the excitement of the flight, I got to Teterboro Airport nearly an hour before departure and after checking in - grabbed a few snacks and drinks before the flight.

A good friend of mine was piloting another aircraft from the same company and kept texting me updates as the flight path changed due to ATC restrictions and environmental factors.

After a quick briefing, we took off around 1:25pm. Our destination had changed from the Buffalo region to a waypoint called PATTA.

As we climbed higher into the sky, the excitement onboard was palpable. Everyone was eagerly anticipating a memorable flight.

The pilot announced that we were approaching PATTA and would soon be entering the path of totality.

As we crossed into the path of totality, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The sky started to darken, almost as if night was falling upon us.

I quickly grabbed my Sony a1 and started capturing the stunning view outside. The sun had turned into a black circle with a fiery halo around it.

The whole experience felt surreal - like being in a completely different world.

The view from above was unlike anything I had ever seen before - a mesmerizing combination of light and darkness.

After about 3 minutes of being in the path of totality, we exited back into daylight. But the excitement onboard continued as everyone shared their photos and experiences from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

As we made our way back to New Jersey, I couldn't stop smiling at how lucky I was to have witnessed such an incredible natural phenomenon from high up in the sky. It was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for years to come.

Once we landed back at Teterboro Airport, there were cheers and applause from all passengers for our successful flight. As we disembarked, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this amazing opportunity and the memories I had created.

Emotions on Film: People Photography

In the age of digital and instant photography, the art of film photography is objectively ridiculous - an expensive and often delayed form of gratification with a high percentage of missed shots. But when all the magical ingredients align perfectly, film produces images that evoke raw emotions. As I look back on my photos from this past summer - from the landscapes of Alaska to the bustling streets of Morocco - these are some of my most treasured capture.

Morocco on Film: Leica Minilux

Earlier this summer, we went to Morocco for the first time. And as a photographer, I had a bag full of cameras and lenses to capture the vivid colors of Moroccan cities and communities.

Despite having only a handful of publishable photos from my traditional digital cameras, I was determined to capture the essence of Morocco on film. Every snapshot taken with Leica Minilux is preserved forever in grainy images and vivid colors. Unfortunately, my camera did not make it through the entire trip and fell apart on our final day - but the film remained intact. Some of my favorite analog memories frozen in time:

Alaska on Film: Kodak Gold 200 with Leica MP

Continuing with my film series and my need to experiment with different film stock - I bought a bunch of rolls of Kodak 200 given the price range and the ease of availability.

As much as I appreciate the vibrant hues in some of the shots, I have to admit that this particular film stock falls short in certain scenarios. The brightness and saturation often come out dull and lackluster, unless there is an abundance of natural light.

The Kodak Gold 200 film gives off a warm, vintage vibe with its slightly yellow and grainy appearance. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and adds to the vintage aesthetic of the photos. Below are a few samples from the Kodak Gold 200 - all shot with the Leica MP.

Alaska on Film: Kentmere 400 with Leica MP

After selling my re-issued M6 last year, I thought I was done with film photography. But then I couldn't resist the Leica MP and ended up buying one. As much as I love my Sony kit, there's just something about shooting with film that draws me in. Part of me wonders if I made the right decision, as I've gone back and forth on whether or not to use Leica multiple times before.

This time around, I'm determined to fully commit to shooting with film. In the past, I would often switch back and forth between digital and film, never fully embracing one or the other. But this time, I'm holding myself accountable by going all in.

I've also been experimenting with different film stocks, something that I never really did before. From black and white to color, from low ISOs to high ISOs - each type of film has its own unique look and feel. It's been so much fun seeing how each roll turns out.

The photos below show a mix of landscapes, portraits, and daily life moments, all captured with the Leica MP, the 35mm f/1.4 steel rim and the Kentmere 400: