“Above The Polar Bear” by Florian Ledoux. Photographer of the Year
Celebrating the art of drone photography, the inaugural Drone Awards attracted the attention of photographers from 101 different countries. And with over 4,400 submissions, the expert jury had their hands full in deciding who would win the grand prize. In the end, it was French photographer Florian Ledoux who took home the title of Photographer of the Year for his award-winning photo of a polar bear swimming through the freezing waters of northern Canada.
International photographers submitted their work to six different categories capturing the variety of possibilities that drone photography allows. Top entries in the Sport category demonstrate how overhead shadows can be used to great effect, while photographers in the Abstract category use perspective and distance to create new forms.
The contest, which was created by the organizers of the prestigious Siena International Photography Awards, aims to remind the public of drone photography's artistic value. “In this growing debate, regarding surveillance and privacy issues in the midst of ever-advancing technology, the role of the artists seems seminal,” the organization writes. “Contemporary aerial artists continue to use photography to create images of extraordinary reach and power, deepening our understanding of the world beyond its surface appearance and the way we relate to it.”
The winning photographs will be part of a group exhibition, Sky's the Limit, in Siena, Italy from October 26, 2018 to December 2, 2018.
The winners of the first annual Drone Awards demonstrate the artistry of drone photography.
“Weather Snake” by Ovi D. Pop. Winner, Abstract
“Assisi Over the Clouds” by Francesco Cattuto. Winner, Urban
“El Angel” by Luis Alonso Jimenez Silva. Runner Up, Sport
“Mada’in Saleh” by Gabriel Scanu. Winner, Nature
“Pilgrimage of Millions of People” by Qinghua Shui. Winner, People
“Entrance to Hell” by Xiaoxiao Liu. Runner Up, Nature
“Skating Shadows” by Vincent Riemersma. Winner, Sport
“Ameneties” by Gary Cummins. Runner Up, Urban
“Warehouse Fire” by Byron du Bois. Runner Up, Urban
“Whale Sharks” by Bachir Moukarzel. Highly Commended, Wildlife
“Dendrites” by Branko Markovic. Highly Commended, Abstract
“Big Shadow” by Thomas Vijayan. Runner Up, Wildlife
“Blacktip Shark” by Adam Barker. Winner, Wildlife
“Vertical Racing” by Shoayb Khattab. Highly Commended, Sport
“Ice Magic” by Martin Mecnarowski. Runner Up, Abstract
Drone Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by the Drone Awards.
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