Why am I passionate about this?

When I was young, my passions were flying and art. I became a pilot at age 17. Later, I became an architect, and much later, in 2000, I decided to become a fine art photographer. After ten years of shooting from the ground, I decided to take to the air again and began shooting aerial photographs, primarily of cities. I now have three aerial books published: LA NY, Thames & Hudson, Paris From the Air, Rizzoli, and London From the Air, Rizzoli. My aerial photographs are exhibited and collected throughout the world.


I wrote

London from the Air

By Jeffrey Milstein,

Book cover of London from the Air

What is my book about?

As a pilot, architect, and photographer, I bring together three of my passions to create a book featuring aerial photography…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of From Above: The Story of Aerial Photography

Jeffrey Milstein Why did I love this book?

I like this book because it is a large format, beautifully printed book illustrating the history of aerial photography.

It begins with the earliest Nadar photos taken in France from hot air balloons and chronologically goes through all the different kinds of aerial photography, including satellite images and iconic photographers who shot aerials. It explains the various techniques and ends with photographers who use more recent drone technology.

It exposed me to much history I did not know. 

By Gemma Padley, Eamonn McCabe (photographer),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked From Above as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Since the birth of photography, photographers have been taking images of the earth from the air - with spectacular visual results. Celebrating over 150 years of these incredible images, this book tells the fascinating story of how these pictures were created and the photographers that have propelled image-taking to bold new heights.

Taking advantage of the amazing sense of perspective that aerial photography offers, this incredible collection of images also offers a unique overview of the events, challenges, and changes of the past 150 years of human history.


Book cover of Earth from Above

Jeffrey Milstein Why did I love this book?

If you could only have one book featuring the world from above this would be it.

It’s oversize and gorgeous. Yann is the photographer who pioneered this kind of socially conscious photography. If you only looked at the pictures it would be satisfying enough, but Yann is an environmentalist, and the chapters highlight the beauty and fragility and danger of the planet we all share.

The photos are amazing! 

By Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Lester Russell Brown, David Baker (translator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Earth from Above as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Both low- and high-level aerial photographs document places around the world and form the starting point for discussions of ecology, sustainable development, and the current state of the world.


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Book cover of The Atrahasis Epic

A Sumerian tale of irrigation, floods, and the creation of man By Ken Goudsward,

Contrary to popular belief, the Atrahasis Epic is not merely a flood myth. In some ways it can be called a creation myth. However, it does not concern itself with the creation of the universe or even of the earth. Rather, the created work in question is one of culture…

Book cover of Pools From Above

Jeffrey Milstein Why did I love this book?

I think that Brad has an amazing photographer's eye.

Using drones, he has created a unique book of photographs of swimming pools from above. This could have been a mundane subject, but in Brad’s hands, each photo is perfectly framed, sized, and cropped to reveal geometry you would not expect, reminiscent of a colorful abstract painting. What I like about his work is how he can look at a pool and find the perfect abstract detail: a sinuous curve, geometric lines, and rectangles, little bits of pool furniture, blue sparkling water combined in a way that no one else would have seen. 

By Brad Walls,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pools From Above as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In Pools From Above, aerial photographer Brad Walls captures the unexpected beauty, curves, hues and textures of unique aquatic architecture from around the world.

Produced over a span of three years in four countries, this photo collection is the culmination of Walls' long journey to discover the beauty in commonplace landscapes seen from unexpected vantages.


Book cover of The Human Planet: Earth at the Dawn of the Anthropocene

Jeffrey Milstein Why did I love this book?

George Steinmetz is a pioneer in a risky type of aerial photography.

He uses a motorized paraglider that uses a small gas engine driving a propellor strapped to his back, while a parachute-like fabric wing provides the lift. I am in awe of how he has traveled the world with this setup, getting photographs from low altitudes that are truly amazing. He has traveled to every continent, going to seemingly impossible places. The book features incredible photos of the natural landscape as well as the man-made landscape. Some of my favorites are the pyramids of Egypt, the indigenous architecture and animal migrations in Africa, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, the camel salt caravans, and the amazing Brazil dune-scape.

I cannot overstate the value of this book if you want to see the world in a way you have never seen. I am amazed by the photos. These were taken before the age of drones, where Steinmetz is hand-holding the camera and seeing and experiencing the landscape below in a way that drones can’t.

By George Steinmetz, Andrew Revkin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Human Planet as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A dynamic aerial exploration of our changing planet, published on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day

The Human Planet is a sweeping visual chronicle of the Earth today from a photographer who has circled the globe to report on such urgent issues as climate change, sustainable agriculture, and the ever-expanding human footprint. George Steinmetz is at home on every continent, documenting both untrammeled nature and the human project that relentlessly redesigns the planet in its quest to build shelter, grow food, generate energy, and create beauty through art and architecture. In his images, accompanied by authoritative text by renowned science…


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Book cover of Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure

Tap Dancing on Everest By Mimi Zieman,

Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.

The team attempts a new route up…

Book cover of New York from the Air

Jeffrey Milstein Why did I love this book?

I love the huge size (12.5”x17”) and gorgeous printing of this book.

Of course, the photos are amazing. This book was published by Abrams during the years when they were known for their exquisite art books. There are not many publishers who would put out a book like this today, including Abrams. The photos of New York City in this book are the work of a photo genius.

I get immense pleasure holding this book and going through the pages which show all of New York in beautiful late sun and night light, and so large you can feel like you are right there.

By Yann Arthus-Bertrand, John Tauranac,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked New York from the Air as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Aerial photographs of the famous landmarks, historic buildings, and local neighborhoods of New York provide a birds-eye-view of one of America's major cities


Explore my book 😀

London from the Air

By Jeffrey Milstein,

Book cover of London from the Air

What is my book about?

As a pilot, architect, and photographer, I bring together three of my passions to create a book featuring aerial photography of London. Shot over seven years from helicopters while leaning out with the door open, the book includes London’s monuments, parks, museums, palaces, squares, famous classical buildings, new skyscrapers, airports, and more. Many images are shot straight down, a style I am known for, like an architect’s plan view. Special permissions were granted by NATS.

228 pages with photographs on every spread and with a foreword written by the acclaimed architect Sir Norman Foster.

Book cover of From Above: The Story of Aerial Photography
Book cover of Earth from Above
Book cover of Pools From Above

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