By Mark McConville
STUNNING aerial photographs included in a new book have revealed a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles and New York City.
The incredible images show the 9/11 Memorial and tower, Times Square and JFK International Terminal from above in New York.
Other spectacular shots show Disneyland, LA beach and the port at Long Beach as the photographer took in Los Angeles.
The striking pictures are showcased in renowned aerial photographer Jeffrey Milstein’s new book, LANY, published by Thames and Hudson.
“My two cities are Los Angeles and New York,” he said.
“LA is where I grew up and learned to fly as a teenager. NY is where I moved after university, to start my professional career as an architect and artist. This book combines two of my life passions: flying and art.
“The photographs are organised in four sections: neighbourhoods; commercial; parks and recreation; transportation and industry. Within each section, LA and NY are juxtaposed; comparing and contrasting. One can read a lot about our culture from the visuals.
“The book begins with images of housing in LA. The first is a blue collar neighborhood in an industrial area. The overall colour is brownish. The houses are tightly spaced and there is not a lot of greenery.
“The next photo which has more green is in an area of pricy bungalows with bigger yards and more trees. As affluence increases the colour of the photos become greener and bluer from pools and tennis courts, and the roads become curved. This is a stark visual contrast to the Trailer Park with only one pool and small tennis court.”
Using the highest-resolution cameras available mounted to a stabilizing gyro, Milstein leans out of helicopters and does steep circles in small airplanes over Los Angeles where he grew up and over New York where he now lives, looking for shapes and patterns of culture from above, continually awed by the difference between the aerial view and the view on the ground.
These two most distinct and distinguished cities are revealed in astonishing detail, as photographer Jeffrey Milstein explores residential and commercial neighborhoods, parks and recreation sites, as well as industrial districts and the infrastructure of transportation.
Iconic buildings and landmarks appear, but also the compelling geometries of suburban housing developments, apartment complexes, commercial hubs, entertainment and financial centres, as well as airports and shipping terminals.
LA NY: Aerial Photographs of Los Angeles and New York, by Jeffrey Milstein, and published by Thames and Hudson is available now at £19.95 RRP.
