10 examples of beautiful aerial photography

Recently updated on October 4th, 2022 at 09:54 am

The world looks even better from above, and these extraordinary shots prove why. Who needs wings when we have a wealth of drone-wielding photographers on hand to give us a bird’s-eye-view of some of the world’s most spectacular spots? From the powdery shores of Kauai to remote mountain ranges in China, follow us to dizzying heights as we present the best examples of beautiful aerial photography. Let us know in the comments which shot is your favourite.

1) @saltywings

A post shared by SALTY WiNGS (@saltywings) on Oct 2, 2017 at 2:54am PDT

Tree roots? Weathered bark? Were it not for the pristine sands and azure ocean lapping at the shores, you’d be forgiven for wondering exactly what this Kauai cliff face was. The earth’s undulations look almost otherworldly in this shot by Aussie photography duo, Salty Wings.

2) @graymalin 

A post shared by Gray Malin (@graymalin) on Aug 31, 2017 at 11:07am PDT

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Can you find a spot to throw down your beach towel on this full-to-burst Copacabana Beach? It’s shot by Gray Malin; the man who made the aerial photography craze go stratospheric. No drones for him, mind, Malin shoots everything via helicopter.

3) @hym.1

A post shared by Hym (@hym.1) on Oct 13, 2017 at 5:09am PDT

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Snapped by Chinese photographer, Hym, this is the Kamlung Mountain Range in Gansu, Northwest China. You can get a feel for their immense scale from the miniscule river snaking along the foothills of the mountains.

4) @stianmklo

A post shared by Stian Klo (@stianmklo) on Aug 4, 2017 at 1:19am PDT

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A logic-defying, teeny-tiny stretch of road connects Norway’s rugged Lofoten islands in this wonderful shot from Lonely Planet photographer, Stian Klo. The tranquil turquoise waters offset the unforgiving, snow-capped peaks.

5) @rubenvanreckrem

A post shared by R U B E N (@rubenvanvreckem) on Sep 21, 2017 at 11:19am PDT

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Only from such dizzying heights can you fully appreciate the wonder of Germany’s Hohenzollern Castle; the winding roads, the spiky turrets, the carpet of trees that surround it. What a shot from Danish photographer, Ruben van Vreckem.

6) @asilvaf

A post shared by Andrés (@asilvaf) on Oct 2, 2017 at 10:45am PDT

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From above, Chile’s Valparaíso Port transforms from a bustling maritime hub to a graphic piece of digital art thanks to row upon row of colourful shipping containers.

7) @joshua.smith

A post shared by Joshua J.Smith Photography (@joshuaj.smith) on May 23, 2017 at 8:15pm PDT

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Down Under from above, courtesy of Australian snapper, Joshua J Smith. This image captures the parched Anna Creek at Oodnadatta in the Australian outback.

8) @dirka

A post shared by Dirk Dallas (@dirka) on Jul 5, 2017 at 8:36pm PDT

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Random Legos dropped from above or Peter Cooper Village in New York? This puzzling image of Manhattan apartment blocks looks wonderfully surreal. Shot by photographer Dirk Dallas, founder of the @fromwhereidrone Instagram account.

9) @danorst

A post shared by Dan Marker-Moore (@danorst) on Oct 2, 2017 at 9:19pm PDT

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Vertigo sufferers, look away now. This dizzying shot of Hong Kong by LA-based Dan Marker-Moore taken with a fish eye lens gives a crazy perspective to the vibrant city. The height of the skyscrapers is incredible.

10) @laidea

A post shared by CAR☮︎L (@laidea) on Sep 17, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT

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Captured by drone-aficionado Laidea, Santa Monica Pier from above resembles the insides of a complex mechanism, cogs, gears and all. The dusky pink tones make it look especially pretty.

Main image © Stian Klo. All others © photographers own/Instagram.