Most of the aerial photographs that I have used come from government sources. The images themselves were produced by private contractors operating specialized aircraft, and following procedures that will help analysts link the data to existing surveys. The process requires substantial investment.

But what happens if you try to take your own aerial photographs, without the use of an airplane? I built a cradle that would allow me to suspend a disposable camera from a kite, and a timer that would take pictures after a preset interval. With practice and good wind, I could loft the kite and its camera payload to 150-300 feet, and bring back my own images from above. The images become more personal expression than data. This group of photographs come from Colt State Park and the RISD Farm, along the eastern side of Narraganset Bay.