Surprising Patterns Captured From Dizzying Heights

From colorful beach umbrellas to the manicured greens of soccer fields, Bernhard Lang captures beautiful and unexpected symmetries with his camera from anywhere between 490 to 4920 feet up in the air. A commercial photographer by trade, Lang took up aerial photography four years ago after constantly being inspired by the picturesque landscapes he sees from his window on passenger flights. From selecting the right pilot to having to contend with changing weather patterns, the Munich-based photographer takes on the precarious job of leaning over out of small planes and helicopters to take the perfect shot at dizzying altitudes. With Aerial Views, his ultimate hope is to challenge people’s views of their common surroundings: “In my photos, you see things that are different and sometimes revealing, because you don’t usually see it from this uncommon perspective.”

For another spectacular series of shots taken from the air, try Klaus Leidorf’s Surprising Aerial Photos.