An aerial photographer.

Consulting my rational side, I can only conclude that nearly all air flight is a waste of time and resources. One third involves visiting Aunt Minnie in Florida when she could be simply dialed up on a webcam. Another third involves boondoggles passing as conferences where we try to create team spririt or some such nonsense when we should be focusing on teaching individuality. And the remainder is spent on business meetings which would be better conducted at the local video center, saving vast amounts of time and money. But for a world which largely values motion over action, flying is just the ticket.

But there is a very special niche which I exempt from criticism, and that’s aerial photography. Which of us has not pointed his camera at the window when coming in to land for the occasional snap? Though, as with most things, to do this well you have to devote yourself to it and that’s Jason Hawkes’s avocation.

The Empire State Building at night.

While much of this Englishman’s work is done in Europe, he has a new book named New York at Night which amply illustrates the difference between the amateur snapper and the dedicated specialist.

For more, check out his web site. Hawkes uses just two lenses on his full frame Nikons, 14-24mm and 70-200mm zooms, with a gyroscopic stabilizer. While the Kenyon range of stabilizers is expensive, they can also be rented for a reasonable sum.

And while you are perusing his superb images, think also how much better a world without flight would be. No Holiday Inns or Hiltons, no Las Vegas, no 9/11, cheaper gas, less noise, less pollution, fewer traffic jams, more productivity, more time spent with the family instead of being busy being busy, more trains, and on and on.