In-Flight Vantage

Inspired by his lifelong passion for flight photography, architect and pilot Jeffrey Milstein is known for his aerial shots of cities as well as his photos of aircraft mid-flight. His photographs explore symmetry, technology, and growth from unique perspectives. Sheetal Mann from Chiiz was in talks with him. Here are the excerpts:

- Jeffrey Milstein

You were granted a pilot’s license at the age of 17. What drew you to the skies and how did photography come into picture?

When I was about seven, I read a book about a boy who got a ride in a big plane with a barnstormer. From then on, I dreamed about flying and I still remember that book. Growing up, I built and flew model planes and read airplane magazines. I loved looking at things from the air, and when I turned 17, I got my pilots license and started filming from the air.

Your attraction to design and patterns is evident in your work. What made you achieve such a familiarity with such idiosyncratic patterns and composition?