By Crystal Chung @crystalkchung

A PHOTOGRAPHER captures magical aerial images of London - while hanging out of a helicopter

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Timo captures a breathtaking image of Knightsbridge from a helicopter with open doors

Aerial photographer, Timo Lieber, took to the skies of London to photograph some of the city's most iconic sites from a new angle.

The aerial and landscape snapper gets his inspiration from shapes and patterns that are formed by buildings

Lieber’s photos capture the beauty of the capital at night and take viewers on a magical journey around The Big Smoke from the highest heights - with iconic shots of Oxford Circus, London Bridge and the O2 Arena.

Through his photographs, Timo invites the viewer to embark on a visual journey

The 36-year-old, who is originally from Germany, likes simple, striking compositions and he relies on light to be the key ingredient to his images, be it in bright day or at night.

An aerial shot of the O2 Arena lit up during the night-time shows the beauty of one of London's iconic sights

Timo said: “I am always on a look out for strong geometrical elements to photograph and London’s somewhat chaotic street pattern throws in a perfect challenge."

He said: “I took the photographs from a helicopter with open doors. I needed special permission to fly to all the locations above Central London at night and was required to use a fairly large, twin-engine helicopter.

Lieber says he is always on a look out for strong geometrical elements in his photographs and London’s street pattern is the perfect challenge

“Although captured in every finest detail, the subjects of my large-scale photographs are often shrouded in mystery. It is important for me to draw the viewer’s attention and keep them guessing or discovering hidden details and layers of the image.”

Lieber wants viewers to be in awe of London and to showcase it's chaotic busyness

Timo is proud of the city he lives in and wants viewers of his pictures to admire the sights of London just as much as he does.

The photographer said: “I want people to be in awe of London – “my town” and one of the most visited cities in the world.

The German-born photographer said: "You won’t find New York-style, perfect grid patterns throughout London but rather the opposite!"

“It is such a vibrant and exciting place – with very different faces depending on which part of town you go to - that I wanted to show it from a different angle.

Timo's photographs are captured in the finest detail but often 'shrouded in mystery'

“I love London’s chaotic busyness which hopefully comes across in the images as well. You won’t find New York-style, perfect grid patterns throughout the city but rather the opposite!

Hyde Park is transformed by the festive lighting the capital enjoys during the Winter period

“London has grown into what it is today over centuries and that is what is so exciting about it, yet hard to photograph.”

Winter Wonderland looks like a fairy tale town, embedded in darkness of the surrounding Hyde Park

To take a look at more of Timo’s incredible aerial photography visit his website: http://www.timolieber.com/