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If you’re one of those people who always opt for a window seat while traveling by plane, eager to enjoy the unique view, you might be interested in checking out the images captured by Santiago Borja. For those who don’t know this photographer, you can check out our previous post where we featured his incredible shots of thunderstorms captured from a unique perspective and more… Sound interesting? Well, then you will definitely like to discover more of this aerial photographer’s work.

Bored Panda reached out to Santiago and asked what inspired him to start capturing photos from the unique vantage point of an airplane. The photographer shared with us: “As a pilot, I quickly realized that we have a truly unique perspective of the world and nature all around us. I then began attempting to capture some of the incredible phenomena I had been witnessing on every flight. Eventually, I recognized that storms were a fascinating subject but very challenging to capture. Despite the difficulties, I persisted until I finally developed a technique to capture these extraordinary events.”

More info: Instagram | santiagoborja.com | Facebook | twitter.com | flickr.com

#1

Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

santiagoborja Report

We were wondering what challenges Borja faces when shooting photos from an airplane. We learned that “Shooting a storm from a moving airplane is quite challenging. You are inside a moving object, sometimes very shaky, with extremely low light, and you cannot use any stabilization devices like tripods or gimbals. Additionally, storms are so fleeting that you cannot easily focus on them. These and many other challenges make it very difficult to capture them, and I often find myself missing great opportunities.”

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    #2

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    SCP 4666
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like an iceberg floating in the cloudsea

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    #3

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    crazy gorgeous, and what the heck are we looking at ??

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    Many of Santiago’s images capture fleeting moments and perspectives that are only visible from the air. He told us about some of the most memorable experiences he’s had while photographing from a plane: “At the beginning, many of these phenomena are surprising and often incomprehensible events. St. Elmo’s Fire is like very small lightning happening right on the windshield, just a few inches from the pilot’s face when flying into electrically charged clouds. Sometimes, a similar phenomenon occurs when water droplets appear as little sparks upon hitting the windshield. I remember feeling extremely amused and perplexed when first experiencing these events.”

    #4

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Angela Wollos
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like how it's curved...you know, like the earth 🌎

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    Finally, Borja shared a tip for aspiring photographers who are interested in exploring aerial photography from airplanes, particularly those who may be new to this type of photography: “My advice would be to learn everything you can, but ultimately, you have to develop your own strategy and techniques. Don’t settle into the idea that photographic ‘rules’ are unbreakable. Discover your own limits.”

    #6

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That looks like something Captain Kirk would try to avoid

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    #7

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    A pug with bananas
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the stark contrast in the middle and sides

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    #9

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve been on a ship at sea that was struck by lightning. The SOUND!

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    #10

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Glynna Bowood
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Surreal- I know those are clouds, but there appears to be a ground, horizon and sky in this photo!

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    #11

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We're about to experience some turbulence...

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    #12

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    SCP 4666
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey flatearthers - here`s you curvature!

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    #13

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    TheAnxiousDuck
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ngl it looks like cottage cheese in the best way possible 🤩

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    #14

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is what they mean by a "well organized storm system"-

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    #16

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Glynna Bowood
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who pilot planes are really effing brave! Astronauts are completely off the chart brave!

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    #18

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If my Rohrschach answer is two dark entities fighting in a brightly lit background, what's the diagnosis, Panda docs?

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    #19

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sky seems rather indecisive here.

    #20

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Anton
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine there's a whole world down there.. us!

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    #22

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Anton
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful, wondering how it looks when the sun is fully up

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    #23

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Ma Cheverez
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You need to clean all that dust on your lens.

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    #24

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    just beautiful- and different the next millisecond -

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    #28

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now. See yourself - down there- on foot. With a spear.... Your ancestors did that.

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    #29

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    fabulous image of moisture, winds, and terrain! Some meteorology textbook needs this.

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    #31

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The small clouds look like they are getting an a*s whooping.

    #32

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rohrschach #2 - aliens in the foreground discussing what to do next after leaving their vehicles seen in the background.

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    #33

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Georgia Ireland
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW! Hey Captain, has anyone ever told you that you have quite an eye for stunning photos? Seriously, you should enter some sort of contest for photography!

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    #34

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    #35

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    #36

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The gods are having one heluva party up there.

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    #37

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    Ma Cheverez
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Patriotic stripes, red, white and blue test for the 4th of July.

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    #38

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    #39

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like it was taken on the surface of another world.

    #40

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is a lot going on in this photo.

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    #41

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    #42

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a cross in the middle of the image?

    #43

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The cockpit lights look like teeth about to clamp down.

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    #45

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    #47

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    layer upon layer, whether you can see it or not-

    #48

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These all help us to imagine the hours and hours in the air - watching the storms and world... hours.

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    #49

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woah…there is agriculture that high up in the mountains.

    #50

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    #51

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    #52

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    face and hands reaching up...

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    #54

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Glynna Bowood
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stunning. I do wish the locations were added.

    #55

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    #56

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can FEEL the cold in this photo.

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    #57

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Glynna Bowood
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a unique coastline! I wish I knew the location.

    #58

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cloud on the right looks like a person getting jabbed in the d**k.

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    #59

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    #60

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    #61

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    alaina66
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That red spot/light in the upper left is scary!

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    #62

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

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    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like hollow earth in Godzilla X King Kong

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    #67

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Glynna Bowood
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pretty nice once you get above all the crazy storm clods!

    #68

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many different types of clouds in one shot

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    #69

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a ship cruising on the ocean

    #70

    Flying High: Santiago Borja's Captivating Aerial Photography Above The Clouds (New Pics)

    santiagoborja Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lizard hitching a ride on a cloud, as they do.