Famed Aerial Photographer Was 89

Aero-News would like to pay tribute to one of the pioneers in the field of aerial photography.

William A Garnett was known the world over for his sweeping aerial photographs of sand dunes, suburbs, swamps, and plowed fields. Bringing to life the beauty of those places that seem most mundane on the ground, Garnett was first attracted to aerial photography while hitching a ride home onboard a military aircraft at the end of World War II.

Fate placed him in the navigator's seat on that overloaded flight... where he first saw the richness of the earth below, from up above. He later called that experience an epiphany... and resolved to learn to fly a plane himself so he could capture those images for others to see.

By 1955 -- piloting his own Cessna 170 Garnett was doing exactly that... beginning a career that spanned over 50 years.

"His work was poetic and he saw the landscape in an incredibly beautiful way," said Stephen White, who showed Garnett's photos in a 1982 exhibition, to The Los Angeles Times. "I don't think there is anyone that comes close to him in doing aerial photography from an aesthetic point of view."

Garnett passed away August 24, in his Napa Valley home. He was 89... and now, we salute him with the honorific held for all pilots who have crossed to the other side.

William Garnett has gone west... where the landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, and the lighting is always perfect. We trust Garnett is still flying his Cessna... and has his camera close by.

FMI: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artMakerDetails?maker=1580