It’s easy to lose perspective in our day-to-day. To get stuck in the minutia and forget that we’re part of something much bigger called the Earth, which is part of something much bigger called the solar system, which is part of something MUCH bigger called the Milky Way galaxy… you get the picture.

But while the vastness of the universe is difficult to truly capture in a photograph, the vastness of our little pale blue dot is a bit easier to place in perspective given some help from an airplane, helicopter, or hot air ballon.

Each of the 23 images below from the 500px Prime archives does just that: puts things in perspective. Or, if you prefer a less philosophical approach, they’re very pretty pictures taken from very high up.

But whether you’re trying to communicate vastness, love nature-made geometric patterns, or just want something that’s ideal as a full background image, these 23 gorgeous aerial photographs should do the trick.

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Bales of straw wait for pick up in the setting prairie sun.

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"Aerial view of Sydney cityscape, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"

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Mt Steacie aerial wide angle

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For more info on the collection above, or if you want to use any of them in your next design project, just give your favorite photos a click. And if you’d like to browse through more awe-inspiring aerial photography, click here.