Why I flew 2,000 feet above London in a doorless helicopter with aerial photographer Donn Delson
I wouldn’t normally wake up just as a new day is dawning to make my way across a sleepy London. But this day was special. I was meeting with American aerial photographer Don Delson at 7.30 am at London’s Battersea Heliport. Together we would fly over London at a height of around 1,900ft in a helicopter with no door.
Donn at 75 years young, is exuberant when we meet and eager to offer a glimpse of the world from a bird’s eye point of view; a new perspective that with a keen eye and a good camera lens can offer up an intriguing trompe l’oeil.
Donn Delson in his no door helicopter
Strapped into his seat yet leaning out and seemingly dangerously forward, Donn was at ease. He has spent over 300 hours in this position over diverse lands from Japan to The Netherlands, England to Israel, and across the United States to create his art. Was he ever fearful?
“Looking out of the helicopter with the wind in my face and the magnificence of the world stretching out below, seemingly without end, the only thing I can be is in the moment.”
I imagined that Donn had probably always lived his life in the moment having built and sold the fourth largest entertainment merchandise business in the world, BandMerch, to AEG Live in Los Angeles (Staples Center/Philip Anschutz). Donn represented worldwide merchandising (tour, e-commerce, licensing, and retail) for artists like Rihanna, Billy Joel, Alanis Morissette, Outkast, and Linkin Park.
He retired in 2010 and now had the time and the means to pursue his passion for photography which morphed into aerial photography during a chance ride in a “doors off” helicopter in Queenstown, New Zealand in 2015.
Donn says that though he has travelled widely, his favourite city is London and today the metropolis was drenched in sunshine making the view below bright and clear. We put on our headsets and looked down as Donn pointed out landmarks, like the 02, the Eye, the Shard, Battersea Power Station and the British Museum.
On a previous clement day, he had captured the teal green glass of the British Museum’s domed roof while illuminated by the sun. The interplay of light and structure took his breath away so he took the shot. He calls this The Crown Jewel and the artwork belongs to his Points of View collection.
The Crown Jewel is the roof of the British Museum by Donn Delson
Other examples of abstract imagery include “Turntables” an image of the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works, Newham, that conjures up records on a turntable. While flying over the River Thames his imagination was ignited by the sight of containers parked in diagonals. On the ground, this is an unremarkable mundane space-saving practice but what emerged for Donn was a beautiful series of colourful feathers that resulted in “Feathered”.
Turntables, Beckton Sewage Treatment Works by Donn Delson
Feathered, Donn Delson taken while flying over the River Thames
Sometimes the aim is to catch the interplay between shadow and light as demonstrated in “Circus Nights” and “London Lights” from the Points of Light collection.
During our fast-paced 20 minutes of moments, Donn was eyeing the city hoping for a chance sighting to divulge some unusual formations. I followed suit, looking for colour, symmetry, patterns and contrast. I became aware of raising an eyebrow in response to London’s generous verdant patches, the roads that threaded between the sheer variety of architectural shapes and sizes straddling the winding river like an unkempt smorgasbord.
I knew Donn had spotted something when he instructed the pilot to hover allowing him time to get into position and capture the scene.
“Once you see it this way,” said Donn “you will always see the world differently”. I for one can see his point of view.
Donn’s work has been shown in galleries around the world and of course in the homes of art collectors too. They sell for up to £35,000 and all are limited editions to around 28 productions. To date, Donn has sold approximately $900,00 worth of artwork. Next year (2025) Axion Contemporary in Scottsdale Arizona will put on a solo show.
More information: Donn Delson website
