A groundbreaking new photography book is offering residents and visitors an entirely fresh perspective of Birmingham through stunning drone imagery that captures the city as never before seen. "Birmingham: A Drone's Eye View," created by photographer and author Jonathan Berg, takes readers on an aerial journey that begins in the bustling city center before soaring across the diverse suburbs to reveal hidden aspects of England's second-largest city.
Berg, who has been documenting Birmingham since the 1990s, explained that drone technology has revolutionized his ability to capture the city from above. "Since the 1990s I have often been frustrated by not being able to get high-level views of the city," he said. "In the 1990s I even chartered planes from Birmingham Airport to try and get the shots I wanted for my books. The drone has changed all that." The book features remarkable images of iconic locations including Victoria Square, which serves as one of the centerpiece photographs in the collection.
The aerial photography showcases both famous landmarks and everyday scenes that take on new meaning when viewed from above. Among the featured images are crowds enjoying a day of test cricket at Edgbaston Stadium, the bustling atmosphere around the Hare & Hounds pub on High Street in Kings Heath—described as a lively music venue—and the city's central mosque, which Berg noted was particularly challenging to photograph. Other notable locations captured include the Minworth sewage treatment works that serves Birmingham's population, Old Turn Junction in the city center, and the former Typhoo tea factory in Digbeth.
This latest work represents the culmination of Berg's three-decade commitment to showcasing Birmingham's transformation and character. His photography journey began with his first book, "Positively Birmingham," published in 1994, which emerged from his frustration at the lack of contemporary visual documentation of the city. "There was no book of the modern city that you could buy, so I took off with my camera to take pictures," he explained. When he approached a London publisher, he was told, "there's a reason there is no coffee table book about Birmingham—it wouldn't sell."
Undeterred by the rejection, Berg and his wife made a significant financial commitment to bring their vision to life. "My wife and I literally remortgaged our house, in order to publish it," he added. "We saved up and borrowed £20,000 and the city got behind me, the Lord Mayor gave me a civic reception at the council house and we sold out 5,000 copies in nine months." The success of that initial venture validated their belief in Birmingham's visual appeal and photogenic qualities.
Beyond artistic achievement, the project serves a charitable purpose that reflects Berg's commitment to the community he documents. A portion of proceeds from book sales is donated to Sifa Fireside, a Birmingham homelessness charity, with the books having raised £42,000 to date for the organization. Berg emphasized that the timing of this aerial perspective is particularly significant given current media coverage of the city. "At a time when media coverage of our city has been rather mixed, it is a privilege to show the true nature of Birmingham—an inclusive and vibrant city with a surprise around every corner," he said.
"Birmingham: A Drone's Eye View" is published by Positively Birmingham, continuing Berg's mission to present the city in a positive light through the power of photography. The book demonstrates how new technology can reveal familiar places in extraordinary ways, offering both residents and outsiders a chance to see Birmingham's urban landscape, architectural diversity, and community spaces from a completely new vantage point.
