10 amazing aerial photos that blow away your out-the-plane-window Instagrams

Most of us struggle to take a decent photo from the right angle (and have to cloak our misgivings in Instagram filters), but that's not a problem for award-winning, Boston-based photographer Alex S. MacLean -- who flies a Cessna 182, and has been taking photos from the sky for years.

MacLean, who's a licensed pilot and fine art aerial photographer, recently had a show at London's Beetles + Huxley gallery, exhibiting his sky-high shots from over the US and Europe; here are some of our favorites.

High Line Bridge
Instagram user Alex MacLean

High Line -- New York City

open pit mine
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Phelps Dodge open pit mine -- Bagdad, Arizona

Boston pool
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Free Swim -- East Boston, MA

Cape Cod
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Tidal flats -- Cape Cod, MA

surfers in hawaii
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Surfers at Sunset Beach -- Oahu, Hawaii

California flower fields
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Flower fields -- Lompoc, California

logs
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Logs floating amid algae -- Longview, Washington

spillway
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Spillway -- Odenten, Maryland

parking lot
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Parking lot -- Lafayette, Indiana

Sand shoals
Instagram user Alex MacLean

Sand shoals -- Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Check out more of MacLean's work in his photography books, as well as on Instagram, Tumblr, and his website.

Chloe Pantazi is an editorial assistant on Thrillist's travel team. Follow her adventures at ground level on Instagram and Twitter at @ChloePantazi.