In a remarkable feat of aviation and photography, a team consisting of pilots Kevin Coleman and Pete McLeod, alongside photographers Dustin Snipes, Mason Mashton and Peter McKinnon, captured the essence of the solar eclipse visible in North America until 2044. The awe-inspiring project unfolded in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where the team seized the fleeting moments of totality to immortalize the event in photographs.
The logistical challenges of the shoot were formidable. The pilots had to maintain a precise formation, flying at 1,500 feet above ground and separated by merely four feet, all the while aligning perfectly with the sun and moon within a narrow four-minute window.
“Normally, this would be a manageable maneuver, but when you have the darkness from the eclipse, a flight angle that needs to be perfectly lined up with the sun, and only four minutes to take the shot while moving at 180 mp/h, it makes it incredibly challenging,” Coleman explained in a Red Bull press release.
Red Bull Air Force team member Luke Aikins played a crucial role on the ground, converting the photographers’ instructions into directives for the pilots. This seamless communication was vital for capturing the series of epic images. The innovative use of reflective wrap on the planes’ wings further improved the visibility of the aircraft against the darkened sky, ensuring that every detail of the planes was visible against the spectacle.
Dustin Snipes, Mason Mashon and Peter McKinnon/Red Bull Content Pool
Snipes shared his enthusiasm for overcoming the shoot’s inherent challenges:
“I loved being able to solve these ‘impossible shots’ with our team and create something that no one has seen before. To get the planes, the sun, the moon, and the lights all within one exposure was an extreme challenge, one I haven’t faced yet.”
Months of meticulous planning and numerous trial runs laid the groundwork for the successful execution of the shoot. The team had only three opportunities to capture the perfect shot during totality, making every pass crucial.
“This is one of the hardest photos that I’ve ever tried to capture,” Mashton admitted. “There are known settings to capture an eclipse, but when you need to figure out the height of the planes above ground level to frame and scale them perfectly with the eclipse, during totality, it’s a totally different game.”
The project not only commemorated a rare celestial phenomenon but also pushed the boundaries of what is possible in aviation and photography, creating these amazing photos for everyone to enjoy.
McLeod reflected on the experience, highlighting his enjoyment of high-precision flying compared to his usual work.
“Unlike the high adrenaline and aerobatics I’m used to, this project is all about exact precision and planning. It’s all about teamwork to make this happen so it’s been incredible to be a part of.”
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.