Why aerial photography?

Man has long yearned for a bird’s eye view of the land or sea below. I’m no exception and love getting airborne to help me get the shot I need. Even the most common or mundane subjects take on a new presence from the aerial perspective. To date I have been airborne in countless helicopters as well being tied into small fixed-wing aircraft with doors off, ultralights, a gyrocopter, paramotors and even hot air balloons – whatever it takes. Our most recent book, commissioned by the government of Guyana, was essentially a book of aerial photography in an effort to offer a fresh look to the country. Images, to make an impact, are best taken from a non-human perspective. Our vision of the world is, on average, from 4 to 6 feet above the ground and is one with which we are all very familiar. Shooting from a low angle, or from above can have a dramatic impact and significantly alter our appreciation of the subject.

Antisana volcano in Ecuador rises above the clouds in the distance. Photo by conservation photographer and landscape photographer Pete Oxford.
Sumaco Volcano is in the distance with many valleys and mountains before it. Photo by aerial photographer Pete Oxford.
Tiputini River meanders through the rainforest of Ecuador. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
The shore of the Essequibo River in Guyana with shadows of surrounding trees. Photo by conservation photographer and landscape photographer Pete Oxford.
Bottle Mountain in Guyana is shown with the rainforest leading up to its base. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
A fisherman stops his boat near mangrove trees. Photo by aerial photographer Pete Oxford.
Kaieteur Falls flows strongly over the precipice. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Alluvial gold mining is shown along the entire river bed in the Guyana rainforest. Photo by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Multicolored fishing boats float tied up in the water. Photo by aerial photographer Pete Oxford.
The Essequibo River, the largest in Guyana. Photo by conservation photographer and landscape photographer Pete Oxford.
Tranquilized elephants are shown on a transport truck for relocation. Photo by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Springbacks are shown running alongside their shadows. Photo by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
A black rhinoceros is slung from a helicopter for transportation. Photo by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
A herd of elephants are shown from the cockpit of a helicopter. Photo by aerial photographer Pete Oxford.
Two African elephants are shown swimming in a river. Photo by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Mount Roraima is flanked by clouds as it casts a shadow over the surrounding forest. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
The Essequibo River winds its way through Guyana leaving small islands of forest. Photo by conservation photographer and landscape photographer Pete Oxford.
An aerial view of a seemingly endless rainforest is shown. Photo by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Kaieteur Falls flows strongly over the precipice. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Kaieteur Gorge in Guyana stretches into the distance. Photograph by landscape photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
White rhinoceros are shown being darted for research purposes. Photo by conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
Cayambe volcano in Ecuador is shown in the distance past numerous mountains and valleys. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
A rain storm downpours in the distance of the Essequibo River Region. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.
A spectacled caiman rests on a river bank looking up at the camera. Photograph by aerial photographer and conservation photographer Pete Oxford.