Standing Tall
Melbourne, Australia
2015
Edition of 50
Reflection
Cities are often defined by their streets, yet when the familiar disappears only their strongest forms remain. Standing Tall is a reminder that resilience isn't about resisting change, but quietly rising above it.
Print information
- Edition
- Limited edition of 50, plus artist proofs.
- Archival pigment print on museum-grade fine art paper.
- Sizes
- Available sizes and presentation options provided on enquiry.
- Certificate
- Signed, numbered and supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
- Framing
- Framed, mounted and print-only options available depending on destination.
- Shipping
- Secure domestic and international delivery quoted individually.
Behind the Flight
Standing Tall began as a routine winter aerial photography flight over Melbourne. I'd flown countless dawn missions with my good friend Shayne at the controls of the Bell JetRanger, and over the years we'd developed a level of trust that allowed us to work together instinctively in demanding conditions.
The forecast looked promising. Clear skies with a northerly breeze, but one detail caught my attention. The temperature and dew point were almost identical, a classic indication that fog could develop if conditions aligned. We had a deadline to meet, so before sunrise we prepared the helicopter at Essendon Airport, coordinated with Air Traffic Control and departed while the sky remained beautifully clear.
As we approached the city, the horizon slowly began to soften. What first appeared to be haze quickly revealed itself as a fast-moving bank of fog advancing from the north. Within minutes it swept across Melbourne, swallowing streets, parks and entire suburbs until only the tallest buildings remained visible above an endless white blanket.
Looking back, we could still clearly see Essendon Airport behind us. That gave us the confidence to remain safely positioned while Shayne continually monitored our escape route should the conditions change. For the next half hour I photographed one of the most extraordinary weather events I've ever witnessed. The city disappeared beneath us, leaving the skyscrapers standing alone like ships rising from a silent ocean.
Weather like this presents obvious operational limitations. Once the fog closed in, most aircraft simply couldn't have entered the area, and helicopters can't safely land if every suitable landing site disappears beneath low cloud. What made this morning so extraordinary was that we were already airborne, with a clear route back to Essendon still visible behind us. It was a fleeting window that existed for only a short time before the city was completely enveloped.
