British photographer Derry Ainsworth has released his debut photobook "Highs & Lows," showcasing more than a decade of breathtaking aerial photography that captures Hong Kong from a unique bird's-eye perspective. The collection documents the city's dramatic urban landscape through top-down views that reveal the intricate patterns and textures of one of the world's most densely populated metropolises.

The aerial photographs in Ainsworth's collection span from 2018 to 2025, featuring diverse locations across Hong Kong including North Point, Richland Gardens in Kowloon Bay, Stonecutters Bridge, Kennedy Town, Mei Foo, Whampoa Garden, Shek O, Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang, Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, and Fairview Park in Yuen Long. The images capture not only everyday urban elements like housing blocks and highways but also beaches, small islands, and night markets from an extraordinary overhead perspective.

"I think Hong Kong probably has some of the world's best and most interesting top-down views," Ainsworth explained. "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." This distinctive combination of dense urban development alongside pristine natural areas creates visual compositions that are virtually unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Since relocating to Hong Kong from the United Kingdom in 2014, Ainsworth has had to develop and refine his compositional skills to work with the city's overwhelming density. "To find something visually appealing, you have to look past the density and really look for interesting shapes, repetition or contrasts," he noted. The photographer emphasized that successful aerial photography requires more than just capturing any elevated view.

"I think with aerial photos, it's very easy to just shoot any view and rely on the general outlook for a nice photo," Ainsworth observed. "But to make something remarkable, you need to focus on your composition and subjects." This approach has helped him create images that transform Hong Kong's urban chaos into compelling geometric patterns and abstract compositions when viewed from above.

During his 11 years in Hong Kong, Ainsworth has witnessed significant changes to the city's skyline, including new additions to high-rise developments, fresh housing estates, and major infrastructure projects. However, he finds that the older neighborhoods have remained visually consistent and often provide the most captivating photographic subjects for his aerial work.

Among his favorite areas to photograph are Sham Shui Po and the Yau Tsim Mong district, neighborhoods known for their authentic local character and historic architecture. "I do a lot of street photography and I can walk those neighborhoods week after week and keep discovering something new and interesting to photograph," Ainsworth said. These areas offer a rich tapestry of everyday Hong Kong life that translates beautifully when captured from aerial perspectives.

"There's something about the everyday scenes of life in Hong Kong that I'm so drawn to capturing," Ainsworth added with enthusiasm. "I really enjoy it." His passion for documenting the ordinary moments and spaces of Hong Kong life shines through in his aerial work, which reveals hidden patterns and beauty in the most mundane urban elements.

Ainsworth credits his background in architecture with helping him develop what he calls a "keen eye for urban perspectives." This training has been invaluable in recognizing the compositional potential in Hong Kong's complex urban environment. "Hong Kong also presents a striking contrast between modern and old urban areas, and the city's raw patterns and textures truly come to life from above," he explained.

Reflecting on his extensive documentation of the city, Ainsworth expressed his excitement about sharing his unique perspective with a broader audience. "I've spent a big part of my life documenting this city in my own unique way, and I can't wait to share it with everyone," he concluded. The "Highs & Lows" photobook represents more than a decade of dedicated work capturing Hong Kong's urban landscape from angles that reveal the hidden beauty and geometric complexity of this remarkable city.