I think that the recent total eclipse is the most photographed event ever. Some of the photos that keep coming in are truly outstanding. We present to you today some of the photos.

Kevin Coleman and Pete McLeod – two Red Bull aerobatics pilots – teamed up together with photographers Dustin Snipes & Mason Mashon. The collaboration produced a series breathtaking images that show the whole frame and the planes.

The team gathered at Sulphur Springs in Texas where the eclipse was visible around 1:40pm. The eclipse lasted only four minutes so it was important to plan meticulously and execute flawlessly. It was a race against time!

Planning is essential for any business.

Dustin and Mason spent months preparing for this project. They conducted several rehearsals, captured multiple flyovers and tested various illumination solutions. They also developed a capture strategy. This all led to the day of eclipse where they calculated the exact angle to position the pilots.

Shoot

The team installed reflective wraps on the wings of the planes to make them visible and help counteract darkness during the eclipse. Pilots maintained a 1500-foot altitude and were only four feet apart to ensure the planes and the sun would be aligned in one frame. Luke Aikins received the instructions from the photographers. He then passed them directly to the pilots in order to create stunning images.

Kevin Coleman said that this was a normal manoeuvre. It’s a difficult task when the flight angle needs to be aligned perfectly with the sun and you only have four minutes while traveling at 180 mph.

The team only had four minutes to complete the task. The pilots only did three quick passes and the photographers had to be fast.

Mason stated after the photo shoot that “this is one of my most difficult photos to date.”