America from 500 Feet! [Hardcover]

Bill Fortney (Author), Ned Beatty (Author), Dr. Charles Stanley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001

- Remarkable scenery from just 500 feet above the ground. - Provides readers with an incredible photographic look at nature.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Photographer Bill Fortney and his son Wesley, in a very personal journey, embarked across the country and recorded incredible vistas from the air. In America from 500 Feet! the duo used a variety of flying devices, including souped-up hang gliders called ultralights, tiny Cessna planes, and helicopters to hover above the ground and produce majestic landscapes. For Fortney, flying was a lifelong dream, and this collection of images is a pinnacle of his artistic achievements. Luscious ocean views from California, dramatic multicolored canyons in the Southwest, and the idyllic coastal towns of the East highlight America's boundless panoramas. Fortney includes a brief commentary on each of the photographs, plus an essay on the undertaking of the project. It is always uplifting to be reminded of the natural splendor of this country, and this book serves as a testament to the importance of our national parks. If you're looking for inspiration to take that trip across the country, this could be it. --J.P. Cohen

From the Inside Flap

When I "grew up" and became a professional photographer, I found that I loved taking pictures as much as I loved being around airplanes. I thought I would be in heaven if I could do both at the same time.

That dream came true as my son Wesley and I took these photos and crisscrossed the country piloting our ultralight.

It has been an adventure I will never forget!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 161 pages
• Publisher: Northword Press (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559717858
• ISBN-13: 978-1559717854
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, magical journey and fantastic photographs!, October 15, 2001

By 

"nikonjeff" (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America from 500 Feet! (Hardcover)

What a great time to appreciate America and what better way than to see it all from a different perspective! Many books offer images of our beautiful country but seeing it from the air is breathtaking. As an amature photographer, I have visited and photographed many of the places in this book but I feel like I'm seeing them for the first time all over again.

I met Bill Fortney on one of his Great American Photography Workshops and have never forgotten him. He is one of the most special people I have ever met and his passion for photography is infectious. You'll see that passion in the photographs in this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite, Surreal Imagery, a New Benchmark in Presentation, November 27, 2001

By 

Bruce H Weaver (Greensboro, North carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America from 500 Feet! (Hardcover)

I have collected many works in the genre over the years. This particular one by Fortney I find especially compelling. I gasped in abject wonder at the first facing photograph when turning the page following the author's introduction. Extraordinary imagery. Captivating perspectives, rich in composition. Handsomely reproduced so the printing effectively achieves resonance. Definitely one for the coffee table. If you've had the opportunity to drink in aerial vantage points when flying commercial airliners, you will be in for a treat because of the immediacy inherent within most shots. Thoughtful commentary into the context of certain photographs enhances the overall appreciation for what ultimately contributed to the finished product. I truly hope more works of this stunning artform emerge. What's next, Mr. Fortney?

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fortney Book is An Uplifting Father/Son Experience, November 26, 2001

By 

James B. Goode (Lawrenceburg, Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America from 500 Feet! (Hardcover)

Bill Glenn & Wesley Fortney's book America At 500 Feet contains superb photography (one could only expect that from Bill Fortney)but contains an equally important sub-story--one of a unique father/son relationship. Every father who views this book will be jealous of the unique adventure that Bill and Wesley shared. Here is a son who was willing to quit his job to pursue a new identity and, in the process, becomes an accomplished photographer. Bill's reward is deep seated in strengthening the bond with a father's most precious possession--his son.
The pilot's logs personalize this book and bring the adventure into your living room. I don't know when I have enjoyed a book like this so much! This is must for anyone interested in outstanding landscape photography and a story of a unique father/son adventure of the highest level!