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Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyUp close, the world around us is rich with visual differences, but zoom out and you'll start to see startlingly beautiful patterns in the landscape. <a href="http://www.leidorf.de/" target="_blank">Klaus Leidorf</a> skillfully captures these different perspectives on Earth in a series of stunning overhead photographs that he calls "aerial archaeology." Equipped with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Leidorf flies across <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/germany" target="_blank">Germany</a> in a Cesna 172 to document the different ways people have altered the environment into compositions that resemble abstract art.1
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyGerman photographer Klaus Leidorf has been capturing landscape images across Germany since the late 1980s.2
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyHe's now amassed thousands upon thousands of aerial photographs on diverse landscapes from farms to industrial sites.3
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyPart documentary and part art, these unique snapshots of everyday life elevates viewers to a world above the ground where life takes on new forms.4
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyMost impressively, Leidorf uses his knees to steer his Cessna 172 aircraft.5
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyThe crispness of Leidorf's shots greatly improved as Canon's Optical Image Stabilization advanced.6
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyA shot of agricultural fields over Germany.7
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyFrom far above, normally large vehicles look like well organized toys.8
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyThe patterns of tree farms become more pronounced and take on artistic form from an aerial perspective.9
Klaus Leidorf Aerial Archaeology"I'm glad to have this overview of things on the earth," he said in an interview with Pop Photo. "When I'm flying and see things from above, I don't care anymore about the small things. It gives me peace."10
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyKlaus Leidorf skillfully captures these different perspectives on Earth in a series of stunning overhead photographs that he calls "aerial archaeology."11
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyLeidorf uses a Canon EOS 5D Mark III for his photography.12
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyLeidorf photographs a gigantic heart carved out from the farming landscape.13
Klaus Leidorf Aerial ArchaeologyLeidorf flies across Germany in a Cesna 172 to document the different ways people have altered the environment into compositions that resemble abstract art.14
