{"id":130095,"date":"2025-10-18T11:54:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T11:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/130095\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T11:54:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T11:54:20","slug":"a-birds-eye-top-down-view-of-hong-kong-by-photographer-derry-ainsworth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/130095\/","title":{"rendered":"A bird’s-eye, top-down view of Hong Kong, by photographer Derry Ainsworth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hong Kong-based photographer Derry Ainsworth\u2019s debut photobook, Highs & Lows, documents top-down views of the city over a span of more than a decade.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of North Point, taken in 2018. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Richland Gardens, Kowloon Bay, taken in 2019. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Kowloon Bay, taken in 2019. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

The aerial pictures capture not only mundane urban elements like housing blocks and freeways but also beaches and small islands from an unusual bird\u2019s-eye perspective.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Hong Kong probably has some of the world\u2019s best and most interesting top-down views. I think these views are so unique to Hong Kong, due to the sheer density of the city, mixed in with [the] close proximity of natural landscape,\u201d says Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Stonecutters Bridge, taken in 2019. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

Since moving to Hong Kong from the UK in 2014, Ainsworth has had to further train his eye for composition. \u201cTo find something visually appealing, you have to look past the density and really look for interesting shapes, repetition or contrasts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Kennedy Town, taken in 2020. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think with aerial photos, it\u2019s very easy to just shoot any view and rely on the general outlook for a nice photo. But to make something remarkable, you need to focus on your composition and subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Mei Foo, taken in 2021. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Whampoa Garden, taken in 2025. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial view of a Hong Kong night market. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

In his 11 years in the city, Ainsworth has seen additions to the skyline, new housing estates<\/a>, and some new infrastructure builds<\/a>. \u201cBut the older neighbourhoods have visually remained the same, and actually make for some of the most interesting subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Shek O, taken in 2023. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Mei Foo, taken in 2025. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

Sham Shui Po and the Yau Tsim Mong district are among his favourites. <\/p>\n

\u201cI do a lot of street photography and I can walk those neighbourhoods week after week and keep discovering something new and interesting to photograph,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something about the everyday scenes of life in Hong Kong that I\u2019m so drawn to capturing,\u201d Ainsworth added. \u201cI really enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, taken in 2019. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

The photographer also credited his architecture training with helping him develop a keen eye for what he called \u201curban perspectives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHong Kong also presents a striking contrast between modern and old urban areas, and the city\u2019s raw patterns and textures truly come to life from above,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Aberdeen, taken in 2024. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Wong Chuk Hang, taken in 2024. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve spent a big part of my life documenting this city in my own unique way, and I can\u2019t wait to share it with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Fairview Park, Yuen Long, taken in 2025. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial photograph of Central, taken in 2020. Photo: Derry Ainsworth.<\/p>\n

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