Wholy Toledo! Mykneees are ashakin'!

[inthedark]

Well, for reasons that sort of sneaked up on me (trust me, if I had seen this coming I would have stopped it somehow ) I am going to be going up, up, and away to take some vertical aerials.

Now I am NOT the photographer, usually. Just the darkroom. But first I bought the Pentax645 from a digital competitor of mine who doesn't like the boring vertical mapping stuff. At the time, he suggests I learn to take over his small vertical shoots. Nah, I say. BUT wouldn't you know, a customer needs some current photography and when I call my competitor to set it up, he INSISTS I go with and learn how to do it myself.

I only have two phobias that I haven't resolved to date. Had many to start with and have overcome them all. The two left are airplanes and carnival rides. To make matters more interesting, we are socked in so I will only have about an hour on notice before we go up. AHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH!

Chanting: I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. . . .. .. . :0

 

[Jeremy]

after this you can join me at the beginning of January when I head off to Disney World and we can take care of that last phobia

 

[jd callow]

You can do this!

 

[johnnywalker]

You will do it and I'll bet enjoy it. Your body will now allow you to live in a steady state of fear and adrennalin rush for too long. I bet by the time you land it will be - well, not boring, but not really all that exciting either. Also, you will probably be too busy to worry about it.
Have fun, and let us know how it went.

Now, carnival rides and ladders are an entirely different story!

 

[inthedark]

Jeremy, y'think I should? Last time I went to Disneyland my youngest was only about 18months, so I had an excuse to keep my feet on the ground.
I think JohnnyWalker has it pegged. I'll be a basket case till it starts, then it will be rather anti-climaxtic (sp?). This is my hope anyway, no climaxes required nor requested, just boring and normal would be best.
According to the weatherman it might be next Friday before southern Idaho clears out, though. The waiting and sudden notice, . . . has both good and bad aspects. RoFL

 

[Flotsam]

I agree that once you start to concentrate on the photography, the anxiety will quickly fade.

 

[Thomassauerwein]

Don't bump into Santa Claus while your up there. He might be on his way somewhere and I'd to hear my new toys are spread all over Idaho!.

 

[rbarker]

Not only can you do this, you can do it well. Just have faith and confidence in yourself.

I used to be not only darkophobic, but fashophobic, as well. Now, I can stick my head under a darkcloth and photograph tall, beautiful fashion models with a view camera without a single bead of perspiration.

 

[johnnywalker]

Not only can you do this, you can do it well. Just have faith and confidence in yourself.

I used to be not only darkophobic, but fashophobic, as well. Now, I can stick my head under a darkcloth and photograph tall, beautiful fashion models with a view camera without a single bead of perspiration.

I'll have to try that myself to make sure Ralph's new experience is not just a function of age. Now, to find some tall, beautiful fashion models for my experiment. I may just have to journey out of downtown Eagle Bay.

 

[BWGirl]

First of all....congratulations on overcoming other phobias! If you have done that, you have overcome obstacles that many other people cannot!

I have to tell you that I have a real phobia concerning snakes....I don't just dislike them, I really HATE them! I am even uncomfortable looking at pictures of them! BUT...you have overcome phobias! You are now my role model!

I think you will be fine once you start snapping pics. Focus on the film & only what you see through the viewfinder! Please let us know how your excursion goes! I am going to be waiting for your report on the adventure!

 

[inthedark]

rbarker, Congrats! sounds like you are a fully functioning fellow now! Tee Hee. I've done some modelling, nude. Now that was scary.

 

[JD Morgan]

Ok, this is coming from a pilot.

The best approach is to go to a local FBO and take an intro flight lesson. They will give you about 30 minutes at the contols in the air. Fear is conquered through knowledge, understanding and participation.

If you were going to make a habit of that work, knowing how to fly the aircraft and land it would be very.. umm.. useful if the pilot has a stroke.

No parachute required.

 

[TPPhotog]

Everything looks safe through the viewfinder, so go out and enjoy Good shooting!

 

[arigram]

People really don't know how it feels to have a phobia unless they have one. The best I can think of is to take a homecat and hold it out of the window from the fifth floor.
I have a big problem with heights. Last time I joined an excursion of the local mountain trekking club. The friend who invited me assured me it was the easiest trek ever and did not include any mountain climbing. Well by the time I was exausted from walking, he pointed out to a mountain peak and told me this was the destination.
After a lot of convincing I followed him. After all, I had dragged my Hassy around for the whole trip and had not other choice but to follow if I wanted to go back home. Half way up, I froze. I couldn't go down, I couldn't go up. Most embarassingly, I closed my eyes shut, he took by hand and slowly we walked up the tiny path. On the top was a small church that I spent most of the time since there was hardly anything around it.
Going back down was... well... best way to explain was that at a certain point, I broke down in tears and started yelling that I won't make it. I am sure it was pretty funny to the others.
In any case. I'll keep on shooting mountains from a distance. It was not fun, I did not overcome any phobias and I will not doing again. Ever.

 

[John Koehrer]

in the dark:
you may find that flying is easier than being on a mountain or tall building.
i fear heights(tall buildiings & ladders) but there's nothing like flying. especally in helicopters. if your new job allows it, try it. the closest thing you can get to riding a motorcycle @ 100mph.

 

[johnnywalker]

Everyone is sure different. Like BW Girl I hate and fear snakes, which is where my comment came from about your body not letting you live in abject fear for too long. I have to be where snakes are if I want to work, so I do it. I don't like them and I'm extra careful, but I can do it now without my heart pounding a mile a minute.

I also, like Arigram, hate heights and since I can usually avoid climbing (either in cliffs, ladders or buidlings), I do. You would also not find me in a cave.

But I used to fly my own plane, and heights in an airplane never bothered me a bit.

If flying really is a serious phobia, and you have to do it for work, I would take JD Morgan's advice and go take a few flying lessons.

I disagree with Shaggy's comment about helicopters however. They have all the gliding characteristics of a rock. However, like I said in the beginning, everyone sure is different!

 

[inthedark]

IF I make it thru this one situation, I think I will take a few flying lessons. I know cars scared me to death as a kid, but learning to drive DID help that. I still prefer to be the driver always because I find other drivers don't take driving seriously enough, BUT I can get in a car with another driver without the hyper anxiety of the past.

At this point, I have been told we are going to try for tomorrow around 10:30am. But it still is so socked in I find it hard to believe we will actually make it.

 

[JD Morgan]

IF I make it thru this one situation, I think I will take a few flying lessons. I know cars scared me to death as a kid, but learning to drive DID help that. I still prefer to be the driver always because I find other drivers don't take driving seriously enough, BUT I can get in a car with another driver without the hyper anxiety of the past.

At this point, I have been told we are going to try for tomorrow around 10:30am. But it still is so socked in I find it hard to believe we will actually make it.

Last I heard there were some flying courses specifically tailored as 'just in case you suddenly have to' type courses intended for spouses and other frequent passengers of light aircraft. At age 45, EKGs become part of a pilot's regular FAA physical (time between physicals and flight reviews depends on type of ticket held etc.). That requirement is there for a reason.

From what I know, the course will teach only what you would need to know to suddenly be PIC (pilot in command) with the goal of getting the aircraft on the ground ASAP safely. Unfortunately, it also means that you CANNOT help the stricken pilot with CPR or anything else. Someone must fly and land that aircraft.

Guard thy airspeed closely.. lest the earth rise up and smite thee mightily.

Regarding fear of heights -- I used to think I was afraid of heights but when I took a skydiving course (before I was a pilot) my instructor pretty much convinced me that was false. He said we are conditioned by our parents at a young age to be afraid of falling. Like 'be very careful, you might fall down and get hurt' or 'careful trippin' on those steps, you might fall and break your neck' etc. Fear of falling and height phobia are different. I do not like to get real close to the edge when standing on a 20 story roof, but if I have my rappelling gear on it doesn't bother me to rope over the side.

 

[johnnywalker]

I have an untested theory that people with poor senses of balance (like me) are afraid of heights. Balance is more important on high mountain trails, ladders and tightropes than it is in an airplane.

 

[TPPhotog]

I have an untested theory that people with poor senses of balance (like me) are afraid of heights. Balance is more important on high mountain trails, ladders and tightropes than it is in an airplane.

You could have a very valid theory there. I hate hights (complete phobia) but I love flying. Bit sad really as I use to love caving and absailing but with age came the phobia.

 

[JD Morgan]

I have an untested theory that people with poor senses of balance (like me) are afraid of heights. Balance is more important on high mountain trails, ladders and tightropes than it is in an airplane.

I have otosclerosis in both middle ears and cochleas. I get vertigo easily. I have an FAA waiver for my hearing. I was still able to pull myself together and get out of a dual instructional 'graveyard spiral' under the hood before breaking the hard deck while suffering a severe case of vertigo from that blasted old fashioned 'clamps on your head too tight' welding shield type hood. I am also rated for aerobatics in the Aerobat. I climb a lot of tall trees and stay up in them for hours shooting birds. I'm also a certified commercial diver, have 11 parachute jumps in military T-36 both static line and free fall, and did the climb and rappel testing with SAR.

So I wouldn't be TOO sure about that theory.

But then, I haven't done the tightrope across Niagara yet either.

 

[johnnywalker]

So I wouldn't be TOO sure about that theory.

But then, I haven't done the tightrope across Niagara yet either.

I may amend it and stick a few "tend to's" in there.
On the other hand, I could say, "you're the exception that proves the rule" - naw, that expression is too dumb even for me.

 

[John Bartley]

I only have two phobias that I haven't resolved to date. Had many to start with and have overcome them all. The two left are airplanes and carnival rides. To make matters more interesting, we are socked in so I will only have about an hour on notice before we go up. AHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH!
Chanting: I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. . . .. .. . :0

Flying in small planes is a PLEASANT horizon-expanding experience. Flying a small plane is the icing on the cake. Don't let others phobias and fear affect you - think positively - the only danger is that you may enjoy it so much that you'll want to go again

(from a night rated private pilot.)

 

[jimgalli]

I'm jealous! I adore small airplanes. Give me a dirt strip in Nevada and a stout southeasterly so that the poor little plane turns sideways 45 degrees as soon as the wheels leave the terra firma. Does that 645 have a real 1/1000 shutter. Flash doesn't stop action very well in the air.

 

[inthedark]

jimgalli, I don't know. . . .I told you all I'm not usually the photographer, just the darkroom. BUT since the guy who is taking me up to teach me this stuff IS the guy who sold me the camera for this type of job. . . .I'm guessing it can handle it. I will know more when we actually start shooting I suppose. I'll try to get back to an answer after I go up.