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Project background
The Earth from Above story
History and facts
The Earth from Above project was born in 1994 from French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s vision to record the state of the planet at the beginning of the new millennium through aerial photographs.
Nature has been a chief concern of Yann’s for many years. He discovered aerial photography while studying the behavior of lions from a hot air balloon in Kenya. Yann was fascinated by this unique way of capturing the beauty and fragility of the earth and thus his commitment to sustainable development began: “I became aware that my photos were useful in allowing the public at large to better comprehend sustainable development and what is at stake.”
Yann soon progressed to using helicopters for his aerial photography and as a ‘witness photographer’, has since dedicated his life to the Earth from Above project.
Initially no-one believed in this enormous undertaking. More than 200 letters sent to potential partners for financial support were largely ignored before Yann received the critical patronage of UNESCO which enabled him to fly over certain countries.
More than 10 years later, Yann has collectively clocked up over 4,000 hours flying above 150 countries to capture some 500,000 aerial shots.
Yann says, “Though it invites us to consider our own responsibilities, this testimony remains resolutely optimistic. Each portrait, be it of the earth or its inhabitants, aims to show the best in order to appeal to what is best in us.”
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