Satellite Photos Explore Earth's Stranger Side

In the new photography book entitled Overview, space enthusiast-turned-photo-blogger, Benjamin Grant, presents a monograph of astounding aerial photographs captured by satellite. The following photographs depict a new ultra-texturized, abstract perspective of our modern landscape, and challenge us to confront our architectural impact on Earth.

Brasilia, Brazil

The 288-page book started out as a blog and Instagram project after Grant stumbled upon DigitalGlobe‘s distant satellite images of Earth. Eventually he worked out a deal with the company for direct access to the images in order to manipulate the raw data in Photoshop. DigitalGlobe uses cameras with 32 times the normal focal length of a regular SLR, which allows for the richness of detail resulting in crisp, clean shots.

The project’s name was taken from Frank White’s coined term “Overview Effect,” which describes the sublime, almost mystical experience astronauts can feel as they view the Earth from space. “From a distant vantage point one has the chance to appreciate our home as a whole, to reflect on its beauty and its fragility all at once,” he told American Photo Magazine in an interview.

Artificial Islands in Durrat al Bahrain – Bahrain

Arc de Triomphe – Paris, France

Rice Terraces – Yuanyang, China

Stelvio Pass – Italy

Tulip Fields – Lisse, The Netherlands

Burning Man – Nevada, USA

Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, USA

Het Loo Palace – Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.