Photographer Michael Matti has been creating stunning photography for years, even winning the Tamron ‘Show Us Your World’ photography contest. But the addition of a DJI Phantom drone just over a year ago expanded Matti’s creative visions to the sky. From his ancestral roots in Finland to his childhood home of Bali, Matti has been flying his drone as often as possible, especially when the project means something personally to him. I sat down with Matti to discuss his latest film and photo series, which showcases the vibrant scenes of autumn in the Northeast from the air.
I got my first drone in September 2015, so a little over a year ago. I had been thinking about getting one for awhile just because of the unique perspective it could provide. Plus it looked like a lot of fun to fly. But what really convinced me to get one was a trip I went on with my friend Daniel Peckham . He had a drone and showed me how it worked and even let me fly it a bit. After that experience with him, I knew I had to get one.
I was out in West Virginia for a few days last fall and the colors out there were amazing. After that trip, I knew I had to go back to the East Coast and make this film. I just had to wait a year until it was fall again. I think the aerial film shows the vastness of the wilderness much better that just photographing the colors from the ground. Seeing the small cars driving through the forests really gives a sense of scale to it all.
While Colorado is usually the state of choice for Fall Color chasing photographers, Matti shows us the Northeast is a remarkable location for a colorful autumn, especially if you get high enough.
