African Air

Flying in a motorized paraglider over one of the most diverse continents in the world, George Steinmetz captures the stunning beauty of Africa’s landscapes and people. His pictures show not only the spectacular patterns of the land, but also the potential and hope that the continent encompasses.

Steinmetz made his first trip to Africa while in college, and spent two and a half years hitch-hiking across the continent.

“I didn’t have a goal to change Africa. I just wanted to marinate in it,” he said.

A self-taught photographer, Steinmetz has traveled through more than 30 countries in Africa photographing its diverse wildlife, landscape and culture. For the past decade much of his work has involved flying a ultralight aircraft to photograph remote landscapes. His foot-launched aircraft consists of a backpack motor and paraglider-style wing. It is the world’s lightest and slowest motorized aircraft and allows a unique and more intimate style of aerial photography.

His photographs have appeared numerous times in National Geographic magazine and in the German edition of GEO.

Photography: George Steinmetz
Producers: Bob Sacha, Megan Lange, Tim Matsui, Tim McLaughlin
Executive Producer: Brian Storm
Graphics: Jacky Myint
Production Assistance: Juliette Lynch, Jessica Licciardello, Tim Hussin, Alba Mora-Roca
Aerial Video: Alain Arnoux, François Lagarde