Glimpses from above

Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the photographer who has captured the planet's natural and man-made beauty throughout the globe.

   The world's most stunning photo exhibition "Earth from Above: an Aerial Portrait of Our Planet Towards a Sustainable Development" is now on display in Thailand. After eight years from its first launch  in Paris, the very popular open-air exhibition has brought an awesome experience to Thai audiences.

The breathtaking aerial photos are results of renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand's 10 years of dedication. The celebrated photographer has captured the planet's natural and man-made beauty throughout the globe.

The gallery-sized prints are not just a captivating display of photographs, but a photographic journal revealing the Earth at different angles. The goal is to encourage people to live with better understanding to our world and help conserve it.

"I am an activist from the beginning," Arthus-Bertrand said.

Paris-born Arthus-Bertrand moved to Kenya 29 years ago. While his wife studied the life of lions, Arthus-Bertrand started as a wildlife photographer. He then discovered the beauty of the world seen from above while working as a hot-air balloon pilot taking tourists to observe wildlife in safari parks.

Earth seen from a bird's-eye view inspired him to experiment with aerial photography. 

Arthus-Bertrand has had a helicopter as his office for a decade. Flying up to altitudes ranging from 300 metres to 3,000m , he has taken photos from the helicopter, spending about 4,000 flight hours.

Since he initiated the Earth from Above project 14 years ago, Arthus-Bertrand has taken aerial photos in numerous countries including Afghanistan, Canada, Chili, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Venezuela, Dubai, Croatia, India, China, Japan, Madagascar, Nepal, Russia, Yemen, Uruguay and Thailand.

But not to be missed is his home, France, where he took the most remarkable shot - the heart-shaped mangrove swamp in the French Overseas Territories.

The outdoor exhibition will take viewers to see distinctive angles on breathtaking sceneries around the world from a glacier in Argentina and villages in Niger to rice fields in Thailand.

Among the 120 photographs shot in various locations are six shots of the Kingdom.

Arthus-Bertrand said being an aerial lensman was very difficult.

"It's not easy to fly," he said. "There are many factors you need to prepare, such as a good forecast, a helicopter with a good pilot to make sure that he will bring you to a good place. And of course, money."

The 62-year-old photographer said that before flying he needed to scour the map and study the weather and geography.

"Although I always make careful preparations, I have to say that 70 per cent is luck."

The exhibition has travelled to more than 110 cities in 40 countries and brings a message of conservation.

"We are a part of nature. Unfortunately, we forget it completely. I'm so lucky to do this job. However, it comes with responsibility. As a famous photographer, I try to convey the message of conservation."