Such Great Heights

We first came across Andi’s work on his neat-ass Instagram page (@xxiamandixx).  Shanghai, of course, has got to have one of the most photographed skylines in the world, but there’s something extra about Andi’s photos that are just a little bit more arresting than the usual postcard images of Lujiazui.  Working with drones, Andi’s photos depict dizzying and exhilarating perspectives of Shanghai's architecture with swirling mists and deep colors.  

And yeah… you can scroll through for yourself. 

Here’s Andi introducing himself and his photography. 

The Artist: Andi

Andi: "Hey there. My name is Andi and I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. Back in 2011, my partner wanted to return to China, so I packed my stuff and got on a plane. 10 years later and I’m still here."

'Autumn Forest'

Andi: "This shot was captured during a trip with a couple of friends. Took us about three hours to drive to this location from Shanghai center, but it was well worth it. This is an example of a shot I did not plan for. I was moving my drone to shoot another composition when I saw all the trees lining the stream.

That’s why I always make time to explore. You never know what you’ll find."

'Wujiaochang'

Andi: "I’d seen other photographers capture this a few times and wanted to capture it for myself. I generally always look at satellite maps before I reach the location to try and get an idea of what I will capture. For this shot, I went against my usual composition and tried an asymmetrical shot."

Early Fascination

Andi: "I’ve always loved photography since I was young, but never really took it serious until about 3 years ago when I got my first drone. Since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated by aviation. With a drone, I could further expand my options for compositions." 

Influences

Andi: "I’ve never had any training in photography. For me, photography is something which gives me lots of satisfaction. When I first started out, I would look at photos I like, and try to deconstruct them to understand better the process to get the desired results. 

As for influences, there are many photographers to mention! @abeastinside, @roaminglarry, @visualspassport, @jsrpixel, @aereonwong, @borsch, @johan_drone_adventures..." 

'Statues'

Andi: "One of my favorite shots. Although the weather was not as I had hoped, I was happy with the outcome on the end. Getting this shot was not so easy. It was a slow and painful task of getting the drone in the right spot to get the composition I wanted."

Style and Evolution

Andi: "How would i describe my style... This is a question I’ve asked myself many times. It’s always evolving. My photos in the past were very harsh and bold, but more recently I’ve adopted a softer tone to my photos. It really depends on the mood when I’m capturing/editing a shot. I guess my style will continue to evolve as a photographer and as I improve my editing skills."

On Equipment

Andi: "Usually I will always have my drone with me, and depending on what I’m shooting, I will bring just one camera. But generally these three are the cameras I use the most. When I travel, I usually bring all of them: DJI Mavic 2pro (currently lost on a mountain), Leica M, Canon 5D3."

Favorite Spots in Shanghai

Andi: "Without a doubt, the Bund and Lujiazui. Both are full of character and have interesting architecture. But Shanghai is also home to many great parks and historic locations to shoot. Chongming Island and Qingpu have so much to discover and are especially beautiful in autumn." 

Professional Concerns

Andi: "For me, I have avoided commercial work. I like the freedom of capturing what and I would hate to disappoint a client. I haven’t done any galleries, but I’m in the process of getting a print shop together." 

What's Next?

Andi: "It’s Christmas so I’m having a break from photography, but currently my photography plans for 2022 are; Shanghai intersections;Explore Qingpu; More cityscapes; Get my print shop online; And a photography trip sometime in the year...

Further Links

You can check out more of Andi's stuff and follow him on Intagram here: @xxiamandixx.