"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"

Renowned aerial photographer Jason Hawkes has spent the last year capturing the British capital from 1,000 feet above the ground for his new book, "London At Night"

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

"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," says Jason

The BT Tower, previously known as the Post Office Tower. The rotating restaurant at the top of the tower is due to reopen in time for the 2012 London Olympics

The glass roof of the Great Court at the British Museum, designed by Foster and Partners

The South Bank at night. Prominent features in this image include the National Theatre and Hayward gallery, the Royal Festival Hall, the London Eye and Waterloo station

Trafalgar Square, with Nelson's Column in the foreground and South Africa House behind

Harrod's in Knightsbridge

The Albert Bridge, illuminated with thousands of light bulbs

Buckingham Palace and St James's Park

Oxford Circus, with its new Tokyo-style diagonal pedestrian crossings

Piccadilly Circus illuminated by its giant neon signs

Commuters wait for trains at London Bridge station

Charing Cross station

Looking west over the Houses of Parliament

St Paul's Cathedral and the City of London

Tower Bridge and the City at dusk
London at Night
lists at $46 but is available now for $32.85 from Amazon
London at Night
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