Meet Jez O'Hare, the adventurous aerial photographer whose work you've probably seen in books and magazines.
You were born in England. When did you first to Indonesia?
In 1973, when my parents moved here when I was seven.
How did you become a professional photographer?
At university in the UK, I first studied scientific illustration, but I did not have the patience for it. Once a week we had class photography. I liked it and eventually moved to a full-time photography course. Then, during a stay at home dad in Jakarta, I heard that there were people living in the Stone Age highlands of West Papua. I took a boat to Jayapura, Wamena a plane and I walkabout. I fell in love with Papua and since have been hung to explore and photograph Indonesia.
When I returned to West Papua, a travel magazine published my first article. Later, I did a little traveling and working for travel agencies and designers. Finally, an audiovisual company hired me, first as a creative designer, but when they saw my photos, they asked me to pull for them. Almost immediately, I was shooting for major clients with business gear and a great team. At the time I did not know, but looking back, it was the best young photographer work experience could have dreamed for. I had to learn quickly and work very hard, but finally I could get almost everything.
When I got to my Indonesian citizenship in 1995, I went independent, doing most of the airtime, industrial and stock. Perhaps a third of my income is available - pictures license library collected over the years. There is much work to handle, but it helped me support when there were few missions.
Your aerial photography is amazing. How did it start?
After some aerial work, it was clear that the flight seemed the best way to explore and photograph landscapes. I bought a gyroscopic stabilizing device to help treat the vibrations, and took all the air missions that I could get. I also hitched on ferry flights and lived with some bush pilots.
Finally, I realize charter and hitch are neither affordable aircraft, nor practical for my personal photography. I needed my own plane. I bought Kit Planes magazine and to my amazement there were small planes that I could actually afford. I first learned to fly in 1995 and now own and operate three aircraft types :. Trike, paramotor and controlled
helicopter radioI am a member of FASI, the Indonesian Aero Sport Federation, which is regulated by the Indonesian Air Force and the Department of Transport.
What precautions do you need to take before a flight?
Meticulous pre-flight preparation is essential for a safe and enjoyable flight. There are so many things to remember, especially if you do it all by yourself. Licenses, regulations, flight planning, aircraft and engine maintenance, fuel, weather and all sorts of other issues. The most important thing is to never exceed the limits of yourself, you fly in the media - such as the weather, terrain, airfields -. And your plane
For cross-country flights now I search the route on Earth, upload it to GPS and maps, make a written float plan and prepare the aircraft at least one day before the flight.
I usually only fly in the morning until about 10am. After that the weather can get extreme, especially around the mountains. Being in good physical and mental condition is also important. I try to sleep around 8-9pm, following 4-5am and be ready for takeoff by 6-7 am. Being "aware" of the scheduled flight is also important. If I have not flown for a while, I will do some "touch and go" practice landing or local flight to get underway before long flights.
How long can you stay in the air
With my last trikes I could stay in the air all day - 12 hours - but the longest flight I've done so far was six. After a few hours flight by yourself, it can become tiring and cold. Landing to take a break is safer.
Have you had rough landings?
I am a passenger in a plane crash in 1995. The aircraft stalled, we turned upside down and landed nose first into the ground. Fortunately, there has been cracked bones, bruises and cuts, and my camera was broken into pieces. I had a hard landing in my own airplane. It was slightly damaged but I was not injured.
What prompted you to take Indonesian nationality?
Many reasons. Partly because half of my family is here, and with Indonesian nationality, it is easier to live and work as I do. Moreover, the geography is mind blowing and the Indonesian people are generally cool. The only negative thing is that I can not have dual nationality and it is difficult to obtain visas to visit family in the UK or Japan. Of course, I still love and miss the UK, especially my family and country.
What was your most difficult mission?
Freeport and some flying expeditions I do.
And your favorite places to photograph?
Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara.
What is your favorite brand of the camera?
I use several brands, but nothing is as fast or reliable as Nikon.
are landscapes changed since you started to take pictures here?
oil palm plantations and forest industries seem destroy more nature than all other sectors combined. I'm quite stressed out thinking about the environment; it seems there is no way to stop deforestation.
Have you ever do underwater photography?
Yes, I have a Nikonos. I wish I had more time for it, but aerial photography is quite a handful already.
What about wild animals up close?
Yes, sometimes, but nothing dangerous or complicated than real wildlife photographers do.
All Indonesian areas that you are yet to visit and you want to shoot?
southwest of Maluku, the Tanimbar islands in the southern Moluccas, and Belitung on the eastern coast of Sumatra.
You live in Bandung. How do you relax when you are not working?
Recently, we made a darkroom. I suppose it to relax. Otherwise, I just take a walk or watch TV.
For details, see
www.indonesiaphotography.com
www.aerosportindonesia.com
http: //vimeo.com/jezohare