Jan 19, 2010
Mangalore, Jan 19: Kites of various hues, shapes and sizes at the two-day kite festival in Panambur Beach on Saturday January 17 and Sunday January 18 attracted people of all ages in large numbers from all over the region. Among these many colourful entertaining man-made birds, Frenchman Nicolas Chorier’s creation stood apart.
The unique feature of one of the kites created by Chorier was that the beauty was fitted with a camera and thus beautifully captured landscape below as well as other kites. Chorier, an amateur kite flyer and world famous aerial photographer thus canned the memories of the festival with breathtaking aerial shots.
45-year-old Chorier has been engaged in photographing the kites for over ten years. His repertoire boasts of participation in several kite festivals all over the world. His pictures on Nagaur Fort were part of a report that received UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for architectural conservation. He has exhibited his pictures at various exhibitions world wide including one in India.
How does Chorier Achieve this?
The photographic equipment is mounted on a small cradle hanging on the string. The camera can be lifted up to a thousand feet, even though low attitudes are often more interesting. My kites are made out of siliconized nylon and carbon of fibre sticks, with the largest reaching about 40 square feet. The rig is operated by remote control and can achieve a full 360 degree rotation and 90 degree tilt, informs Chorier.
He says that an air-to-ground video link sends a signal which provides real time monitoring on a portable Television screen, for accurate timing. " I set up my kite and fly it up to about 100 feet. Once I feel that kite flying is nice and smooth, I rig up my camera on the string, and the whole apparatus can be then be flown up to the required height. I carry my remote control on the shoulder and a video monitor around my neck. I can shoot- the whole set-up being very flexible,” he adds.
Nicolas Chorier, has published his aerial shots in his album named `Kite’s eye view, India between earth and sky’ including several photographs of Amber Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Nagpur Fort, Pushkar, Chittogarh, Taj Mahal, Hampi, Mamallapuram and beaches and backwaters of Kerala and has used aerial photo of Kathakali Kite of Team Mangalore as the cover page.
City's well known Charted Accountant Nithin Shetty, member of Team Mangalore, said that the photographs of Nicolas are unique and provides with a special experience.