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| August 29, 2008 |
London from above, at night
With the end of the Olympics in Beijing, all eyes turned for a moment to London, site of the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics. While looking for good photographs of London, I was contacted by London photographer Jason Hawkes, who had some wonderful images of London, seen from above at night (from a helicopter, to be exact) - some of which which he's agreed to let me share here. From Jason: "Shooting aerial photography during the daytime had its own difficulties, you are strapped tightly into a harness leaning out of the helicopter, shouting directions through the headsets to the pilot. If shooting in the day can be difficult, night and the lack of light causes its own set of problems, but overcoming them is half the fun and the results can be stunning. I shoot at night using the very latest digital cameras, mounted on either one or two gyro stablazied mounts, depending on the format of the camera and length of lens I'm having to use." (19 photos total)
More links and information
Jason Hawkes - photographer's site
Britain from above - new series from the BBC
London 2012 - official site
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The photographs are spectacular and the comments are insightful. The majority of those who were London born are reflective about the past but show no desire to return. Those who have never been to the City are captivated by the lights but do not see the reality of a now unfriendly place where you never meet a true native. There are the Anglophiles who love the history and the West end shows and there are the environmentalists who decry the waste of resources. I am proud to be a Londoner but I prefer to think of her before 1960 when it was less bright but more welcoming. Tony Ridley, Florida.
I have been to London several Times, about 20 times since 1979. I have seen London changed during these years. London is very facinating and is a world of it's own. It is good for everyone's life.
NUTBUSH!!!
Tina T. If that comment above . . . . was really you? - My wife and I saw you in concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills Michigan last week. Incredible performance. Just like London, you are timeless!! Come back and see us next year.
WOW!! SIMPLEMENTE FANTASTICO!!
Felicidades al fotògrafo!! Excelente vista, es todo un espectàculo!!
Saludos desde Chihuahua, MEXICO!
These are absolutely breathtaking photos! I am moved by them! Exquisite!
I so miss London, actually, all of England. Beautiful photographs!
Samual Johnson had it right.
He who is tired of London is tired of life, for here is in London all that life can afford.
Great pictures!
Proud Canadian member of the Commonwealth.
Loved the beautiful photographs. There will always be an England!!
I met my husband during WW !! while he was stationed at Ascot. I was 17 and he was 19. We now live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Haven't been home in five years but hope to go home next year.
Keep up the good work, excellent photography.
Helena Farlow
I've visited London many times and thought it was lovely, but looking back and reflecting on my view of London, I had not really seen it at all.
Striking, striking...........Excellent
I am from South Africa and 12 years ago we took a young English woman to the game reserve in Zululand. She is now reciprocating by giving us the use of her apartment in London for a week. My 2 sons and grandchildren live there. My 2 favorite cities in the world are London and New York. There is so much of interest to see in London - I can't wait till December!
absolutely absolute
i drove around london at night for two years on security quick response obviously too quick i should have appreciated it more
Most Londoners don't get to view their cities at night. The photos are indeed spectacular, but I think the "cover of darkness" makes it seem much more beautiful than it really is. Any town at night would seem to be attractive and glittery, but when the sun rises, along comes the dirt, trash, pollution and reality with it.
breath taking....thankyou....
Living in London for the past 4 1/2 yrs I never did look at London from this perspective.
As an amiture photographer guys like you Jason really encorouge us to work the camers till distruction.
Well done & keep up the good work.
Absolutely fantastics pics!
Beautiful....................... Stunning.................... Inspiring......................
Absoloutely awesome pictures.
Posted by Fred from Sheffield.
during my younger days I lived in London a couple of times for business reasons , a couple of years in total
but it wasn't until I had the opportunity over many years to visit other major cities in the world that I came to realise that the facilities that London offers , both in quantity and quality , are unsurpassed
I admit I never thought of the old girl as beautiful , but having seen these stunning photographs I seem to have been proved wrong
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely. Great city, lived there for 3 months in 1956 & have traveled there many time during the 70's and 80's.. The city has done nothing but improve.
Long live London.
Ah! Eros' statue. I remember a group of us, in the late 50's & early 60's, going to Picadilly Circus every New Years Eve to celebrate and have a giggle. The statue was completely surrounded by a high, solid board fence to prevent revellers from attempting to climb it. Unseen behind the boards, dozens of coppers lurked and quietly had a 'ciggy' until called into action to quell the trouble-makers and punch-ups! Oh happy days! Toronto, Ontario has been home for the last 44 years but still can't get 'The Smoke' out of my system. Cheers!
Lived in Hampshire, England from 1959 to 1996.Returned to my home country, Canada. My son in Bromley Kent will enjoy these pics and also my son in Perth, Australia. These pics have been forwarded by my daughter in Vancouver and I live in Nova Scotia. We all love London, England. These pics are brilliant..
After returning from many years living in New Zealand and coming back to live in London I have a love affair with this city that will never cease. It's inspiring, magnificant, vibrant and keeps me young, I wish I had been born a Londoner instead of a Maid of Kent!
Barbara, SW London
Beuatiful pictures! I am going to London for the first time next year and I can't wait to see it myself.
Thanks.
These pictures took my breath away; they are so beautiful! I have never been there (I live in Canada) but after seeing these, I would love to go.
Went to London with my Dad, sister and her husband in '95 and thought it was great. The photos are beautiful! But I think the other reader is right in saying that Paris at night would be even more spectacular, and I would like even more to see Venice, Florence or Rome at night.
I was born in South London 1947 and am a very keen photographer. Your skills are really great and I admire your photography very much. Would love to know how you do it.
When taking various people around London, I've always said never look down in London always look up! I still adhere to this now.
Your photography takes it one step further. Thank you.d
Fantastic pics, but remember, there is more to England than just London. Within an hour or so you can be in the English countryside. I'll be pleased to show anyone around my neighbourhood - The Cotswolds. Tony Burrows
Great pics by a great photographer.
Yep grew up in London during the war years, lived in Hanwell Middx, moved to london during the blitz, I did not care for the London of those days, liked the suburbs better and wished I could live back there.Met my husband came to USA in the late 50's London sure looks great now, especially these pics they are beautiful,England has come along way in modernization. Have been home several times to visit family, always missed them and England,.My parents and two siblings are gone now one sibling left MISS IT THOUGH.CARRY ON LONDON.
Woderful pictures. especially the one of Tower Bridge -- one of my favourite landmarks. I was born and raised in Surrey but a trip to London was always a treat, Thankyou for the memories. there's no place on earth that can quite compare to good old London Town.
The pics. are beautiful !!!!!! I don't care to visit there as my two daughters did 4 yrs..ago....Paris sounds better to me..!!!!!! I love the good ole U.S.A..!!!!!...Beautiful picts. Postrd by OSB Nov.29,08-10:45
I have never been to London, but now it's on my list.
Great pictures. I have to send them to my daughters Debbie, Tonia and Natascha in Essex.
This is very cool i hope that i can go to London some time theese pictures look sweet its freakin awesome
THIS IS GREAT.I LOVET.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.WELL DONE.EXCELLENT!!!!!!!@
I was in London for the first and only time in 1997 and it was fabulous! I was at many of the places pictured and these beautiful pictures brought back wonderful memories and I hope to visit London again sometime soon.Daryl...Pleasanton,Ca.
Absolutely wonderful photography. Also I can't get over how tidy and well maintained London looks. Many buildings I've never seen before in these pictures.
I'm a huge fan of British culture, humor and just generally of all things British. My family is of British ancestry (and German, D'oh!) and I've always wanted to visit England. This just makes me want to visit even more. Well done.
what pictures it brings back memories we are going back in june 2009 my sister lives in kings cross ,thank you
Fabulous pics - reminds me of one of my most wonderful trips to my very favorite city. - Kathy C., Hoboken, N.J.
Incredible pictures. Gives me vivid memories of my visit in 2001. I was only there for a week, but I will always remember and will look forward to my next one soon.
Simply put, nowhere in the world can beat London.t. I was born there, grew up there, met my husband there, then came to the U.S. But my heart will always be in England. Seeing those pictures makes me very homesick.
..Charleston, WV
Stunning pictures, unreal
I think these pictures are great, I was born in Liverpool, and have only been to London once,a lot of years ago. I have a chance to see London this April,on a cruise ship, was not going to bother to take the shore trip to London, after seeing these pictures I will definitely go.Thanks for these pictures!
nice :)
where in london is pic number 5 located? it looks to be next to the thames, but i can't for the life of me figure where.
When I flew into London one night, my mother and sister in tow, I remarked to myself that it looked like diamonds flung across black velvet. These pictures bring back that occasion. I don' t much care for London these days, however, as someone mentioned, it's hard to meet a native. Still, I always find a pub - or several - and order a shandy. I still go to the parks, the antique stores, looking, maybe for that first visit in 1972 when Carnaby Street defined London. Still, all that it has to offer is incredible, in spite of the modern world intruding upon our sensibilities. I stood once in Westminster Abbey, in Poets Corner, perusing the gravestones when I turned and saw Chaucer's tomb. I burst ito tears as all those English voices came down through the ages to speak to me. These pictures capture the magic. Thanks.
lIVING MY LIFE VICARIOUSLY AND THESE SUPERB PHOTOS MADE MY VISIT TO lONDON EXTREMELY ENJOYABLE. mY ONE RECURRING THOUGHT WAS - THEY WOULD MAKE EXCELLENT jIGSAW pUZZLES - AND THAT IS A COMPLIMENT, AS IT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PASTTIMES.
Kathy C., London, Ontario, Canada
Not having been there, we was confused by the descriptions. Could not always figure out which building was being described.
thanks , absolutely amazing
I'll forward this graet images to a friend who lives in London
Been living in London since 2001, and I'm not bored yet. The city is beautiful from any angle, any time of the day...great pictures it makes you love the city even more.
what an amazing set of photos! I am a Canadian born woman, never been to London and this now makes me want to go. The only thing is, seeing London by the ground is not the same as seeing it from the air as the photos show. So we'll have to do a night flight! :)
In response to comment #1408- Why you always bringing up the past?
In response to comment #1413- In these days of conservation, how much energy is expended when you publish a useless comment such as yours?
In response to comment #1505- While your at it, have your friend foward you a "Graet" book on the English language from England, might sharpen up your spelling skills.
These pictures make me want to go back to London! A lovely place to visit with so much culture and history. Truly lovely . . .
I thought the photos were rather incredible since I had no idea what London really looked like, simply amazing in a way, but for me, it would be nice to have them explained with more definition. If you notice the slight hesitancy to going all out in praise, it is because I read the after comments and received some very different slants. The Reality somewhere in between???? But I sure know what it looks like at night!
Great photography - I can't really say much more other than to remind some of the folks (those who have commented on the 'waste' of electricity) that in the winter months it actually gets dark in London at 4pm; lots of people will still be working in their offices - and probably will be for the next two or three hours!
Enjoy the beauty of these photographs, admire the artist's talents - and please, don't always seek the downside because life is far too short!
London will always be my hometown, even though it has grown much since 1971 and you can't drive into it. That's what buses are for.
Ex-pat in Michigan USA
Spectacular photos !!! Born in Egypt, living in the south of France, have been to London (which I love) several times, but have never had a nighttime bird's eye view such as this. Wonderful. Thank you Jason Hawkes.
TOOK MY BREATH AWAY, SUCH BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY.
fantastic pictures !! man's a genius
Marvellous pictures!!!!
Very nice pictures and very nice town I was in London visiting my brother
wonderful pics, makes me so homesick!!!!!!!!
Just fantastic vues.
A fantastically stunning body of work - A real marvel...
Thank you & ell done.
Great pictures! Wish I could be there - hovering over London!
Thank you, Babe Fargas, for sharing them with me.
That's my London....... beautiful, spendour galore, exciting, extraordinary, and welcoming. The people aren't bad either.......always willing to help a lost tourist, and direct them to where they want to go. People say we are either shy or stand-offish.....well I smile a lot, and I always get a smile returned. By anybody and every body. I find my London is one of the friendliest places in the world, and our London policemen just terrific and so helpful. I cannot think of a lot of other places I would rather be, even with our very odd weather pattterns !!!! I like where I am and where I live .LONDON, YOUR GREAT !!!
My Wife and I Visited London 2005 & 2006 Loved every moment And Old Old City That never get old.
JUST ABSOLUTELY AWSOME. VISITING LONDON IS A MUST FOR ME,JUST TOOK MY BREATH AWAY.
THANK-YOU.
I agree with one of the comments:- Life is too short, just enjoy the stunning photos of stunning London and her stunning people.
Best City in the world, and I have been to a lot of places,
I was born in Bognor Regis but always enjoyd a trip to London.
great pics
I lived in London for two years it was amazing time for me! And now seeing these pictures like I never left city! Photos might be rated as AAA! Amazing, Astonishing, Awesome ;)
I arrived in London from Argentina in mid October 1941 at about 10PM, during an air raid, to join the RAF. London was not welcoming. Outside Euston Station was a blackness I had never seen before in a City but thunderous noise and blinding flashes allowed me to find a taxi. What an astounding change is reflected in the magnificent portrayal of this unique, beautiful, inspiring city through the brilliance of your lens. Yes, London is still a resplendent inspiration and your pictures so vividly create this awe!
I was born in London in 1930 and was raised there until I married and came to the U.S. three years later. These pictures have made me so very homesick, although I am fortunate to come "home" fairly frequently. Of course London has grown (up and out) but it's just as beautiful and the history is more than most other places can boast. Thank you for these wonderful photos but where is Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London? Please take more for us who cry for something of home and who wish they could come back to live.
Gratefully,
Pat Wiggins
I lived in London until 1960 when I emigrated to Australia. I was back in London this year for a months holiday, I saw the sights during the day and now I wished I had seen it by night. The photos are incredible. Thanks to Jason for taking these I will keep them for ever.
really wonderful,what beautiful scenes,never mind the electricity waste much worse is being squandered in the country! We need to see something uplifting now and again.
Thank you
Irene Anderson
Somerset
What brilliant pictures of our fine city. Ok very different during the day but still one of the most beautiful cities in the world. "Coz i love London town"
this picture,s are very awsom and they have helped me alot in school because we had to research some stuff about london and this picture,s and what you,ve written is very good.good work and you,ll even get more better stuff.love cindy>3
They were very nice photo's,nothing like the London I remember.I live in Israel now
talk about lovely sights now thats something to see.
Type your comment here...
Great (quality) Pictures of a great city. Well done
Fantastic shots ! Only disappointment is not seeing St. Paul's Cathedral.
I worked in the Central Telegraph Office a block away right after the war ended and lived in S.E. London throughout the war. Loved London then. Played cricket in Hyde Park. Congratulations on such an excellent presentation.
Fantastic views of a great city
Beautiful,
shame about the ozone layer though!
everything come's at a price.
Visited London many time, this pictures brought great memory, great job.
I am a born and bred eastender and I thought I had seen London. Obviously not.
Fantastic pictures and thank you for sharing them with us.
Looks great from above; zoom in and you will see chavs and rubbish scattered about and probably someone getting shot!
This is the London I know. Love it!
Wouldn't it be better If it was all L.E.D. lighting...
London Booya! Check that view out! x
whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
what amazing scenes
give me more of them.
We are headed over to England for Christmas to be with our son and his family who live about 30 miles from London. We've been to London on two other visits and it is a fascinating city. I love history and that's abundant. Thank you for the lovely photos!
Well. I haven't seen so many lovely pictures. It is so beautyful town.
I know London from the ground level during the late evening and night only.
Amazing.
These look better than the real thing!
I have visited London many times and always get a buzz when I am on the MI travelling down south from Yorkshire. It is an amazing city with wonderful historical buildings to wander round, beautiful parks to sit in and the fantastic shops in which to to spend your money. Most of all I love the theatres and over the years have seen many top stars appearing in the top quality shows. We have met many friendly Londoners and have always had a laugh with the taxi drivers. Long live London. ps The photos are excellent showing London from a totally different view.
I cried when my daughter moved to London 3 years ago from australia but since then I go to London every year and loved it. yes even more than Paris. Hey! and I am french!!! Of of the nicer cities of the world. Stunning photos.
My husband and I visited London for just 3 days in Sept 2006 with our daughter and son-in-law who live in Scotland. We had been travelling for 6 weeks around Scotland, Ireland and some of England and by then were both really weary. At the time I certainly did not appreciate the amazing sights, sounds and atmosphere of London, and look forward to the time when I can return and spend time at a more leisurely pace looking around. I did 'revisit' though when scrapbooking our trip and it was then that I longed to return. These photos are truely amazing. Thank you for sharing them and your incredible photographic abilities. Well done.
I was there in the mid eighties with a bunch of Boy Scouts form the U.S. It is truly a great city with great people I will never forget the experience.
Lovely pictures and great photography. I am really impressed at how clean London appears. I saw no sign of trash or graffiti in any of the pictures. I was surprised at how large London is. The variety of architechture was very interesting, too. I would love to see it up close and inperson one day.
When I first arrived in London in '65 with three girl friends, the cabbie said "Ah, four more girls for the wicked city!" I've loved it ever since!
It makes you want to go there again to the wicked city, eh?
But what a photographer...even though he had to use 1 oe 2 gyros.