These pictures may look like miniature models of Bristol in intricate detail, but they are real photographs that were taken from a helicopter hovering 1,500ft above the city with a technique known as tilt-shift.

It is the first time that photographer Andy Clifford has used such a technique, which was developed in the 1960s but has gained in popularity in recent years. Tilt-shift photography refers to the use of tilt and a large aperture to achieve a very shallow depth of field.

Andy's photographs of Bristol locations such as the Floating Harbour, Ashton Gate and the Wills Memorial Building are currently on show at the Nails Gallery in St Nicholas Market.

Andy, 38, from Sea Mills, an IT technician at Southmead Hospital when not engaging his passion for photography, said that his first use of tilt-shift has been a great success. Last month, he spent an hour in a helicopter that took off from Wraxall, taking more than 500 photographs with his Nikon D200, from which he then chose the best examples.

"It's just not what you expect to see," Andy said. "Ordinarily, if you see a photo that's been taken from a height, you expect everything in the frame to be in focus. When it's not, you do a double take.

"Being in the helicopter was so intense. It was like a rollercoaster ride. I came off and thought, 'what just happened?'

"But it was great to be up there, seeing Bristol from the air. The city has got a lot of really lovely urban landscapes, perfect for someone like me who has an interest in architectural photography."

Andy carefully planned what areas of the city he would photograph, but had no idea what the final result would look like. His personal favourite view is of the Royal Crescent in Clifton.

"There's just lots of things I find interesting about that one. The Royal Crescent looks straighter and longer than you would expect, I thought it would have much more of a curve than it does and I'm really pleased with how the photo looks."

Andy's photographs are part of The Bristol Show at the Nails Gallery in St Nicholas Market. The exhibition features photographs and paintings of a huge variety of scenes from the city by local artists.

The exhibition runs until May 10 and is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 5pm. For more information, telephone 929 2083.