Nowadays it is easy to forget what goes into capturing an image. With the annual Pumpkin Patch project in Cohasset, MA each October, there is a short window of time to prepare and complete the aerial photo documenting this charitable project. When 3000 pumpkins are unloaded the design is formed with the help of many volunteers. There are usually 2 days to tweak it before the selling starts – and just one half hour each day to photograph for the best results. 11:30-12:00 noon. With the October angle of the sun, shadows begin to infringe on the pattern after that.
This year there were added challenges. The pumpkins arrived two days late. After design set-up it was opening day but unfavorable weather scratched the planned flight. The next day we took off from Plymouth from Pilgrim Aviation and soon discovered an oil pressure problem. We luckily could land in Marshfield – only to discover there was indeed a sizable oil leak. No other pilot or plane was available to come for an hour or more. Meanwhile at the patch, the organizers were frantically trying to keep the design intact as pumpkins got sold – constantly looking up for me in the sky. My cell phone was back in my car, so we couldn’t communicate.
By chance, there was a student cancellation in Marshfield and the instructor was available to fly with me (I always fly with a co-pilot) and there was a plane – a low wing plane which I’ve resorted to before. Creative management comes in many forms. Just as we are about to leave the pilot mentions that he cannot fly me back to Plymouth where my car is (an FAA ruling as it would require a charter license which he didn’t have). Now what? The pilot from Plymouth offered to come and pick me up in Marshfield and fly me back to PYM. Whew…. We did make it to the Patch before really strong shadows encroached on the pattern. Another successful year of documenting the annual Pumpkin Patch, and a reminder of what goes into capturing the image!
Phil Lehr as Designer and myself as Aerial Photographer. Proceeds from the sale of pumpkins goes to the Appalachia Service Project.