Africa from Above

Africa from Above presents aerial photographs of Africa's landscapes, wildlife, and human settlements captured by photographer Michael Poliza. The photos were taken during multiple flights across the continent, documenting both remote wilderness areas and populated regions. The book organizes images by geographical zones and habitats, from the Sahara Desert to the savannas, rainforests, and coastlines. Poliza's photographs reveal patterns, textures, and compositions that are only visible from an elevated perspective. The collection provides a perspective on Africa's environmental changes, including the impact of human development and climate shifts on natural landscapes. Through this aerial documentation, the book contributes to discussions about conservation, development, and the relationship between humans and nature in modern Africa.

Readers emphasize the stunning aerial photography that captures Africa's landscapes, wildlife, and human settlements from unique perspectives. Many note that the book provides a fresh view of familiar African locations and reveals hidden patterns only visible from above. Likes: - Image quality and printing - Detailed captions explaining photo locations - Mix of natural and human-made subjects - Novel angles on well-known places Dislikes: - High price point ($75-95) - Limited coverage of central African regions - Some photos appear too distant/abstract - Text sections could be more extensive Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (89 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (47 reviews) One reader noted: "The aerial perspective reveals patterns in sand dunes and animal migrations I never knew existed." Another mentioned: "While beautiful, some photos feel disconnected from the ground-level Africa most know." Several reviewers compared it favorably to Poliza's previous works but wished for more narrative context between the photo sections.

Earth from Above by Yann Arthus-Bertrand The collection of aerial photographs captures human impact on landscapes across continents through 15 years of aerial documentation.

Genesis by Sebastião Salgado The photographic journey presents remote landscapes and indigenous communities through black and white imagery of untouched regions.

African Air by George Steinmetz The photographer documents Africa's landscapes and settlements through images taken from his motorized paraglider.

Desert Air by George Steinmetz The aerial photographs reveal patterns and textures of the world's extreme deserts from a low-altitude perspective.

Overview: A New Perspective of Earth by Benjamin Grant The satellite imagery showcases Earth's natural and human-made patterns through high-altitude photography.

🌍 Photographer Michael Poliza captured these aerial images during 100 hours of flying over 17 African countries while piloting a helicopter. 📸 The book features over 185 large-format photographs showcasing Africa's diverse landscapes, from deserts and savannas to rainforests and coastlines. 🐘 Prior to becoming a nature photographer, Poliza was a successful child actor in Germany and later became an IT entrepreneur in the United States. 🎨 The book's unique perspective reveals natural patterns and geometries in the African landscape that are invisible from ground level, such as circular Maasai settlements and meandering river systems. 🌿 Many locations photographed in the book are now protected conservation areas, with Poliza's work helping to raise awareness about preserving Africa's natural heritage.