3 min readNew DelhiNov 25, 2025 06:10 PM IST
First published on: Nov 25, 2025 at 06:10 PM IST
Captain Navtej Singh, a former Indian Navy officer, has captivated the internet with a video that he captured in challenging conditions during an aerial photography session at altitudes between 10,000 and 20,000 feet.
In the viral video, Singh opens up about the physical strain, violent winds, and technical precision required to take a single shot mid-air. He explains that the aircraft was intentionally depressurised—a standard practice on military platforms like the C-130. The moment the door opened, he told the Free Press Journal, the wind slammed into him with such intensity that even keeping his eyes fixed and his muscles steady became a challenge.
At an airspeed of 300 knots, Singh said the sensation felt like “sticking your head out of a bullet train multiplied several times”. To ensure safety, he was attached to a full-body harness using steel carabiners and a heavy-duty tether built to withstand extreme pressure, the newspaper reported.
Singh also noted that working at such high altitudes requires oxygen support due to the thin air, freezing temperatures, and the risk of impaired decision-making. The aircraft’s movement, the deafening roar of the wind, and the biting cold made even basic camera adjustments difficult.
Describing the effort as “fighting gravity, velocity and pure elemental violence”, Singh called the experience a form of “combat art”.
Sharing the video, Singh wrote, “At 300 knots and around 10,000 – 20,000 ft in a depressurised aircraft, with the aircraft cutting through the sky like a missile, the door swings open….. and suddenly you’re not a photographer anymore.”
“You feel like a small speck fighting a storm. The wind doesn’t just touch you, it slams into your face, making your skin ripple, your muscles twist, and your eyes stretch and blur. Breathing becomes hard, thinking becomes harder, and every part of your body wants to pull away….. but your finger has to stay steady,” he added.
Watch here:
The video quickly gained traction, drawing a range of reactions. “Bravo..Bravo…no wonder u get the most unique pitch perfect priceless shots,” an Instagram user wrote. “Hahaha I know this feeling. But it’s rips my contacts out lol,” another user commented.
“That is 1000-1500 feet altitude, not 15,000-20,000,” a third user reacted.
To ensure safety, he was attached to a full-body harness using steel carabiners and a heavy-duty tether built to withstand extreme pressure (Image source: @nattysingh/Instagram) 
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