Yann Arthus-Bertrand is the world’s best-known aerial photographer, and for good reason. His stunning pictures depict the planet’s surface as near-abstract patterns of colour, shape and texture – a technique that highlights the variety and beauty of life on earth. 

 

Now, “Biodiversity,” an exhibition from the French photographer, journalist, filmmaker and environmentalist is coming to Hanoi’s French Cultural Center from June 20 to 30. 

 

 

Arthus-Bertrand didn’t begin photographing seriously until his early thirties, but quickly made up for lost time. In the 1990s, he undertook an ambitious project: to create a record of the world for future generations. He visited 80 countries, taking portraits of the surface of our planet from helicopters, hot air balloons, or anything else that flies.  The resulting work, The Earth from Above, became one of the best-selling illustrated books ever, with more than 3 million copies sold worldwide. 

 

 

Arthus-Bertrand uses his work to highlight not only the beauty of the planet, but also mankind’s hand in destroying that beauty. Geological coordinates for every shot he takes will allow later generations photographers and scientists to revisit the same sites to documents their evolution.  He also created a foundation called GoodPlanet.org to try to help slow our destruction of the environment.