The Gherkin © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
Shimmering bright in the dark of night, this amazing photographic set of London landmarks highlights the sheer size, scale and variety of the nations capital city.
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Photographed from 1000 feet above the ground these spectacular aerial images of teeming London are a sight to behold.
Specialist aerial photographer Jason Hawkes has spent the last year capturing these images for his new book,”London At Night”.
Picadilly Circus © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
Snaking down the Thames from the London Eye to The City, Jason’s work includes huge broad landscapes and detailed images of Buckingham Palace and Harrods.
“All my work is done from a twin engine helicopter flying between 800 to 1500 feet above the ground,” said the 42-year-old from London.
“The door is opened and I am strapped into a harness and I begin taking my pictures.
“The key to the strength of the pictures is the increase in quality of digital cameras and the upgrades available in stabilising mounts for the camera, which allows me to balance my shots.
“I use the very latest Nikon cameras. For my normal aerial work I shoot using the D3x and the D3, but have just updated to the D3S for my night work.
“You also have to use specially adapted gyro stabilising mounts to take away the vibration caused by the helicopter.”
The British Museum © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
View over East London © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
The London Eye © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
Taking aerial photographs since his graduation from photographic college in 1991, Jason was bit by the bug flying around in a small microlite aircraft.
“I try and make an abstract pattern out of the buildings or try and show huge broad landscapes, showing how one part of the city meets another,” said Jason.
“It is fascinating to see the world from that sort of vantage point.
“We have all seen these sights fleetingly from an aeroplane window and I am able to get closer and for longer.
“At night especially the light given off by the buildings contrasts spectacularly with the nights sky,” says Jason.
Charing Cross Station © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
City Hall © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
Integral to the planning and execution of the BBC series, ‘Britain from Above’, hosted by Andrew Marr, Jason says that these kind of photographs require a lot of forward planning.
“The heights you are legally able to go are from 800 feet to 150 feet.
“You can get special dispensation from the Airports Authority to go lower or higher, but the majority of these pictures were taken at around 1000 feet.
“The only restrictions would be incoming and outgoing air traffic, which sometimes causes difficulties around the west of London and London City Airport,” explains Jason.
Aside from the aesthetic qualities of Jason’s pictures, the practical applications are quite varied.
“Architects and virtual planners value night photographs above day in their visualisation of sky-scrapers at the early design stage,” says Jason.
Canary Wharf © Jason Hawkes / Barcroft Media
Clearly in love with his job, Jason explains that it is the sheer scope that London has to offer that enthrals him.
“Shooting icons like the London Eye at night is really great and it’s lit up beautifully so you can create some really interesting patterns that you are not quite aware of when you are on the ground,” says Jason.
“I’m looking to do other cities at night, and still hoping to get over to Dubai at some point, as there are so many amazing structures to photograph there.
Set for general release next week, “London At Night”, published by Merrell Publishers, will be available at £24.95.
Words by Jack Fletcher
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