20 of the Most Spectacular Drone Photographs of 2017

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Waterlily' by helios1412. A woman harvests water lilies in a pond in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

As drone photography has skyrocketed in popularity over the past several years, it's only fitting that it should have its own social network. Dronestagram, which also hosts one of our favorite photography contests, is a community for drone photographers and videographers to share their work and discuss tips and tricks of the trade on a forum.

Recently, Dronestagram put together a list of its top 20 drone photos of 2017. The competition was so fierce, they even added a few extra for good measure, as they couldn't limit themselves to just 20 aerial images. Whether exploring the vibrant colors of the Mekong Delta or a hair-raising look at window washers in Moscow, it's fascinating to see how photographers are using drone technology to give a new perspective on the world.

Dronestagram notes that more than ever, the 2017 photographs demonstrate the elevated quality of drone photography, as photographers hone their techniques and prices of equipment fall to allow more people to enter the field. With more rules and regulations put into place, drone photographers are now working within constraints that still allow creativity, while keeping public privacy intact.

These regulations haven't stopped photographers from being more daring with their imagery. Dronestagram notes an uptick in close-up photos in lieu of the pulled-back aerial shots we're used to. There is also an increased focus on the relationship between animals, man, and nature. “With the exception of a single picture, all of them show men, animals, or both, for encounters that are sometimes improbable.”

Dronestagram, the world's largest drone photography social network, has curated its list of the top 20 drone photos of 2017.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Motorbike Bridge Over River in Thailand' by tominspires. Two scooters crossing the bridge in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Marigolds' by Seksan Saowarod. Gardeners pick marigolds in the morning in Sukhothai province of Thailand.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘Tropical Island Beach, Dominican Republic' by Valentin Valkov. The beaches of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

top drone photos

‘Cracked Mud Boating' by Milo Allerton. Family sailing on Burke Lake, which looks like a dry mud scene.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Rising Waters' by Justen Soule. In Alexandria Bay between New York and Canada, when water levels rise and fall colors begin to take root.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘Sveti Stefan Hotel' by smakadron. Un hotel in Montenegro.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘Dawn on Mercury Tower' by Alexey Goncharov. The work of professional stringers on the “Mercury” tower in Moscow City.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Kefalonia Melissani Cave' by Calin Stan. Exploring the Melissani cave on the Greek island of Cephalonia by boat.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘Concrete Jungle' by bachirm. A breathtaking view of Dubai’s buildings.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘Cruising the Route 66' by Raf Willems

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Quad Bikes in the Dunes' by Luke Maximo Bell

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Salt Fields' by helios1412. The salt fields are also the specialty of Bac Lieu. Bac Lieu is the salt basket of the Mekong Delta, with extensive salt fields along the coast. The salt fields of Bac Lieu are divided into squares and rows with lots of sparkling white salt under the sun.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘The Majestic Beast Nanuk' by Florian Ledoux. The large polar bear Nanuk in Inuktitut is an impressive animal. In this photo, we can see him crossing between two pieces of sea glacier, or we can imagine him trying to hold it as it melts.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘Stingray and Girls' by tahitiflyshoot. Friendship.

top drone photos

‘Stairway to Heaven' by jcourtial. The long staircase leading to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, Portugal.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Hippos' by yannick68. Hippopotamus in Serengeti National Park.

top drone photos

‘Swimming with a Whale' by DroneFilmsProject. Aerial view of an incredible experience.

top drone photos

‘Girls at the Beach, Rio de Janeiro' by marihenud. Stays at the beach in the morning and afternoon.

top drone photos

‘Portuguese Surfer' by jcourtial. Portuguese surfer braving the cold of February.

As a bonus, two extra drone photographers were thrown in the mix, as Dronestagram couldn't decide between the finalists.

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photographer

‘The Most Famous Waterfall in Iceland Gullfoss' by Vaidas. Iceland’s most famous waterfall Gullfoss has an impressive double cascade (2 in 1).

Dronestagram - Best Drone Photography 2017

‘Home. Sweet. Home' by yannick68. Home. Sweet. Home.

Dronestagram: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Dronestagram.

Related Articles:

20 of the Most Stunning Photos Captured by Drones in 2016

Best of 2017: Top 40 Photographs From Around the World

Top 20 Photos on Flickr in 2017 Capture the Wondrous Beauty of the World

Amazing Winners of the 2016 International Drone Photography Contest

Photographer Sends a Drone Over NYC to Prove the City is More Stunning From Above

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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