COMPOSITION - Stumbling across serendipity

This is not a ‘creative’ shot by any stretch of the imagination, but it does help to explain the above title. Often the reason for your shot may not be apparent until later. Back in the 1990’s I went to one of Duxford’s magnificent air shows, wanting to get a shot of a Spitfire, one that said something about this unique aircraft, but I wasn’t sure from what angle. I did not want a photo of an aircraft set against a blue sky, so as I had an airside pass, I took the chance to walk along the flightline. Here were twelve airworthy Spitfires in a row. I had never seen so many together before in one place, it really took my breath away.

I climbed up on to the wing of the last aircraft in the line for an elevated view, and noticed something written on the fuselage of the aircraft nearest me; ‘Enniskillen - Belfast Telegraph Spitfire Fund’. At the time I had no idea what this meant but I liked the framing of the 12 aircraft. This image sat in my ‘back burner’ file for thirty years! Recently I Googled ‘Enniskillen Spitfire’ and found out that this aircraft represented a little known aspect of the British during the Second World War. It represented their spirit when the nation had its back against the wall. War is an expensive business and the nations coffers were rapidly dwindling away and would be soon drained completely. Following a nationwide appeal for donations, 2600 Spitfires were funded by the people for their young lads at war. Each donated aircraft wore the logo of the donor or funding organisation along with a unique name.

‘Enniskillen’ a Supermarine Spitfire MkII, survived four years of war and was one of seventeen Ulster named Spitfires funded by the people of Northern Ireland. The Spitfire, along with the Hawker Hurricane truly were at the forefront of the battle for an island nation’s survival and ultimately, its identity.

This aircraft was at the end of the lineup, and so became the foreground subject. The name did not even register, so it was not the reason for the image.

Being a photographer stumbling across oportunities, serendipity does seem to happen a lot. Whilst I can’t say for sure that I was drawn to this shot, it does make you wonder about the old adage ‘being in the right place at the right time’ albiet thirty years after the event.

BACK TO MAIN MENU