South Australia From Above: Views from Then And Now.

This talk will give an insight into Paul's compelling new book which prominently features historical aerial photographs by the pioneering South Australian photographer, Douglas Darian Smith (1900-1984). Smith's initial foray into aerial photography took place as a passenger alongside the legendary aviator Sir Ross Smith in his Vickers Vimy. Douglas Darian Smith continued to document the stunning landscapes of South Australia from the skies well into his mid-seventies, providing a captivating glimpse into the region's history and transformation over almost a century.

South Australia From Above: Views from Then And Now written by Dr. Paul Dare and published by Wakefield Press invites readers on a fascinating journey through time, unfolding the transformation of South Australia from yesteryears to the present day through the lenses of two skilled aerial photographers. From the cityscape to the coastal beauty, and from vineyards to shipyards, the book uniquely captures the essence of South Australia's rich heritage and its evolution in the 21st century.

This talk will describe the life of Darian Smith, his contribution to aerial photography, and the work undertaken by Paul Dare to create this new book. It will provide insights into the collaborative effort to bring Darian Smith's vision to a wider audience and explore the challenges and triumphs encountered during the creation of this enlightening book.

After reading physics at the University of Oxford, Paul completed a PhD in Remote Sensing at University College London, where he developed an interest in satellite, radar and airborne imaging technologies. Equally passionate about aviation, he relocated to Australia in 1999 to pursue a career in his chosen field.

His first role was at the University of Melbourne as a Research Fellow, where he worked with satellite imagery primarily. Google Earth was yet to materialise, and Paul was an early adopter of emerging imaging technologies, marked by his contribution to the front page of Melbourne’s Sunday Age newspaper on 9 April 2000.

In 2003, he relocated to Adelaide with his family and a newly awarded commercial pilot’s licence. In South Australia, he saw an opportunity to apply his academic research to the commercial world and he set up his own airborne imaging company, Spatial Scientific Technologies, in 2005.

A photographer since childhood, Paul soon developed a reputation as one of Australia’s leading airborne imaging experts, applying new technologies to aerial survey in a range of contexts including bushfire mapping, environmental monitoring and primary industries. His client base expanded and, today, his customers extend from Australia to South Africa, Europe, North America and over Antarctica, as his company continues to design airborne imaging systems and deliver imagery.

Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Freeman of the City of London, and a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.