PHOTO BOMBER

Photographer risked life to capture perfect image

THESE are some of the world’s earliest aerial images taken from a plane – by a daredevil.

British pilot Alfred Buckham would stand in an open cockpit with his leg tied to the seat in an effort to get into the best position to take photographs.

Born in 1879, he was one of the 19th century’s greatest aviators – taking to the sky against doctors’ orders and surviving nine plane crashes.

Buckham was so passionate about his photography, he risked his life to capture breathtaking images, including one of the first aerial images of Edinburgh in 1920.

The adventurist, who was born in London, originally wanted to be a painter.

But after visiting an exhibition at the National Gallery, he threw his work on a bonfire.

He turned to photography and in 1917 was enlisted into the photographic division of the Royal Navy. Buckham was stationed first at Turnhouse, near Edinburgh, and was later transferred to the Grand Fleet based at Rosyth on the Firth of Forth.

On his missions, he took two cameras, one for his technical photography for the Navy and the other for personal use.

In 1919, Buckham was discharged from the Royal Navy but retained a passion for photography.

The adventurist continued to practise aerial photography through the 20s.

His aerial view of Edinburgh has become one of the most popular photographs in the National Galleries of Scotland’s collection.

Buckham’s pictures can be viewed on the National Galleries of Scotland website.