The Kite's-Eye View of Grinnell

Photos by David Montgomery, Sam Calisch, and Anders Ahlberg (all '10)

Did you ever wonder what the kite sees? Three Grinnell students — David Montgomery, Sam Calisch, and Anders Ahlberg (all '10) — were determined to find out. Their kite aerial photography rig captured some fascinating and beautiful images of the Grinnell campus, normally seen only by birds, bats, and insects. Here's a sample of their photos.

Camera suspended lens down from a rig of crossed boards and rope
A later and much-improved version of the first camera-rig the team made. Both rigs were modeled on the Picavet cross, named after its inventor, Pierre Picavet.
A light dusting of snow on trees, buildings, and fields, with clear sidewalks. View is from the north side of campus, and three small figures are visible to the right of the photo
A wintry view of campus from the north on Dec. 13, 2008. Anders Ahlberg, Sam Calisch, and David Montgomery (all ’10) can be seen on the far western edge of Mac Field.
View of snowy Mac field, with Rosenfield Center seen from above near the top of the photo. Figures are playing and flying the kite. Kite string is visible on the right.
Snowy kiting ... Montgomery, Calisch, and Ahlberg (left to right).
View of Mac field and Rosenfield Center from fairly high. Figures flying the kite are visible, as well as the kite string.
Campus with a dusting of snow ... Ahlberg, Montgomery, and Calisch (left to right) flying the kite and camera from Mac Field on Dec. 13, 2008.
Black and white photo of North Campus and Mac Field from the east. Trees are visible in front of and behind the halls, and the view stretches to the fields in the west.
View of Gates Tower, North Campus, and Mac Field, Oct 20, 2008.
Figures lying on a green field, with soccer goals visible to the left.
Students relaxing under the kite on Mac Field ... Fall break, 2008.
Image of north campus shot at an angle to the horizon. Trees are visible before and behind the halls, beginning to turn fall colors. Fields are visible to the west.
North Campus at sunrise. Fall break, 2008.
View from above of the yellow light of dawn striking the front of Gates and Rawson halls while the roof is still shadowed..
North Campus at sunrise. Fall break, 2008.

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