Georg Gerster is a pioneer of aerial photography. For over 40 years he has taken breathtaking pictures of mountains and deserts, coasts and lakes, spectacular archaeological sites and ancient monuments, agrarian and industrial landscapes in 111 countries on all continents, covering all types of territory from the Amazon to Antarctica. Based near Zurich, Switzerland, he also works as a journalist, and is a regular contributor to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung and National Geographic.

Maryam Sachs (b.1962) was born in Iran, and educated at the Sorbonne in Paris. She has a Masters in Economic Development from Columbia University, New York, and her books include the anthologies The Kiss and The Moon, The Wild Emperor (with her husband, designer Rolf Sachs) and the novel Sans te dire adieu. She lives in London.