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The Aerial Photography Awards has announced its winners and best picks of 2020. The Aerial Photography Awards (or simply APA) were attended by photographers from 65 countries, of which Belgium stood out the most (residents of this country were winners in 10 categories), Russia (9 winners), and Great Britain (8 winners). The Jury awarded 106 photos in 23 different categories. The entrants were invited to submit their best images captured using drones, helicopters, kites, balloons, or airplanes, in the hope of taking a share of the US$10,000 prize pool.

The Jury includes Jeffrey Milstein, who has been exhibited in many museums; Daniel Beltrá, a winner of a few photography awards himself; Dirk Dallas, a pioneer in the drone movement; Alex MacLean, author/co-author of thirteen books; Benjamin Grant, creator of the popular Instagram feed Daily Overview; Peter Essick, who's one of the most influential nature photographers in the world; Florian Ledoux, whose work is recognized by international conservation organizations; Hulia Boz, Aussie photographer who has recently held an exhibition in New York; Abstract Aerial Art, two brothers who dedicated themselves to aerial photography; Noura Al Murr Al Neyadi, who started photography at the age of 11; Costas Spathis, a Greek aerial photographer; and, last but not least, Elena Buenrostro, pilot, trainer and leader of the Women Who Drone movement.

The title "Aerial Photographer of the Year 2020" was awarded to photographer Sebastien Nagy (Belgium, photo), thanks to several awarded photos in different categories and a high average score. Residing in Brussels, the photographer began aerial photography on the rooftops of his city. His thoughts after receiving this award: “To be honest, I had never participated in a contest before, but I had heard about this one in a very positive way, so I took part in the game. I didn't think I would win anything and it was mostly for fun. So I was very surprised when I heard the good news. It was a bit hard to believe at first as it was the Grand Prix, but I did feel real joy and pride. To be named first in a contest where the theme is what we love most, our passion, is incredible and very satisfying! This award made me want to test myself in other things and, why not, to be able to judge others in my turn one day."

The Founder of the Aerial Photography Awards, Christophe Martin, said: "For a first edition, the quality and diversity of the awarded photos demonstrates the evolution of aerial photography and the standards it has reached today. Aerial photographers prove their ability to amaze us. New visual writings are being built.

Thanks to the participants and to the Jury, the 22 categories create a panorama of the most exciting aerial photography currently being made. This is a unique source of inspiration for photographers, drone pilots, content creators who seek new perspectives.”

Enjoy the view!

More info: Instagram | aerialphotoawards.com | Facebook

#1

First Place In Landscape Category: Skyggnisvatn

First Place In Landscape Category: Skyggnisvatn

The highlands of Iceland.
Location: Iceland

Sebastian Müller Report

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Alex Selchow
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#2

First Place In Patterns Category: Umbrella Crossing

First Place In Patterns Category: Umbrella Crossing

The crossing of umbrellas brings colors on a gray, rainy canvas.
Location: Japan

Daniel Bonte Report

#3

First Place In Abandoned Places Category: The Wreck

First Place In Abandoned Places Category: The Wreck

The wreck of a British WW1 minesweeper that ran aground the French coast. Buried under the sand for many years, this wreck has only been visible in recent years due to the rapid decline of the coastal line caused by marine erosion.
Location: France

Reginald Van de Velde Report

#4

First Place In Cityscapes Category: Spanish Rainbow

First Place In Cityscapes Category: Spanish Rainbow

Location: Spain

Sebastien Nagy Report

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#5

First Place In Architecture Category: Abstract Greece

First Place In Architecture Category: Abstract Greece

Location: Greece

Sebastien Nagy Report

#6

First Place In World In Lockdown Category: We Are In It Together

First Place In World In Lockdown Category: We Are In It Together

One of the ways to show your support in difficult times. It is a residential apartment near my home. The residents hang the Vietnam national flags in support of those who are fighting against coronavirus in the front lines.
Location: Vietnam

Prabu Mohan Report

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#7

First Place In Abstract Category: Tatacoa Desert

First Place In Abstract Category: Tatacoa Desert

A top-down view of the rock formations of the Tatacoa desert at sunset.
Location: Colombia

Johan Vandenhecke Report

#8

First Place In Waterscapes Category: Arctic Paradise

First Place In Waterscapes Category: Arctic Paradise

This image was taken off the coast of Qeqertarsuaq at -25° Celsius. One of the most beautiful yet abstract places I've ever seen.
Location: Greenland

Kyle Vollaers Report

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#9

First Place In Trees & Forests Category: Forest Path

First Place In Trees & Forests Category: Forest Path

A herd of sheep uses a forest road to return home.
Location: Turkey

Mehmet Aslan Report

#10

First Place In Constructions Category: The Frame

First Place In Constructions Category: The Frame

Location: Lebanon

Bachir Moukarzel Report

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rabbitcarrot avatar
Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s in Dubai. It’s the 492ft tall Dubai Frame. It’s the biggest frame in the world. It’s very controversial and is often called the biggest stolen building in the world because the designer of it wasn’t given credit for his work.

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#11

First Place In Wildlife Category: Flying Flamingos

First Place In Wildlife Category: Flying Flamingos

Location: Kenya

Hua Shang Report

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postboredom
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Deserves the prize. Actually all of these pictures do. Wonder how the 2nd and the 3rd places looked like.

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#12

First Place In Travel Category: Shanghigh

First Place In Travel Category: Shanghigh

Location: China

Yiran Ding Report

#13

First Place In Daily Life Category: The Lady Of The Sea

First Place In Daily Life Category: The Lady Of The Sea

A fishing boat is dropping a net and, accidentally, the waves pull the edges of the net into a lady on the blue sea. An accident of creation.
Location: Vietnam

Duy Sinh Report

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#14

First Place In Transportation Category: Fairway Of The Gulf Of Finland

First Place In Transportation Category: Fairway Of The Gulf Of Finland

Location: Finland

Alexander Sukharev Report

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Shelby P
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm always amazed at how these ships make those truck boxes look so small. Like Legos. Each box is the size of a semi-truck... javascript:void(0);

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#15

First Place In Other Category: On The Edge

First Place In Other Category: On The Edge

A child reaches for a plastic bag that has fallen into the Amstel River.
Location: Netherlands

Ryan Koopmans Report

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#16

First Place In Hotels Category: Chromata

First Place In Hotels Category: Chromata

Location: Greece

Sebastien Nagy Report

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rahsoft avatar
Rah Soft
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks the same subject as #9 and its by the same person I would have thought you could only enter one photo

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#17

First Place In Digitally Enhanced Category: Airplanes

First Place In Digitally Enhanced Category: Airplanes

These aerial images are all constructed from many different photos that I took flying by helicopter. All images presented here are taken after 2015, but it is impossible to determine just one date of shooting since I sometimes use hundreds of photos.
Location: Brazil

Casio Vasconcellos Report

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But it's missing the little numbers for each aircraft corresponding to a key of their types :) Context is important for encouraging curiosity.

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be great as a fabric or a wallpaper pattern, or as carpeting in an airport lounge.

andreianghel_1 avatar
Andrei Anghel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"it is impossible to determine just one date of shooting" Assuming the author did not use a film role (i.e. used a digital camera) there should be a date tag somewhere

carolinapiazzarollo avatar
Carolina Piazzarollo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he meant he can pin down one specific date, since those were taken along some years.

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#18

First Place In Sports Category: Ball-Up

First Place In Sports Category: Ball-Up

The physical motions of a tennis player against the clean, abstract lineage of the court created a harmonious effect on the eye.
Location: Australia

Brad Walls Report

#19

First Place In World Culture Category: Eid Congregation

First Place In World Culture Category: Eid Congregation

South Asia's largest Eid-ul-Fitr Congregation was held in Gor-e-Shahid Boro Math, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. According to the organizers’ claim, over 600,000 devotees participated in this Eid congregation. The prayers began at 8:30 am with devotees coming from different parts of the region. Eid-ul-Fitr is a Muslim festival of happiness celebrated all over the world.
Location: Bangladesh

Azim Khan Ronnie Report

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#20

First Place In Documentary Category: Fire Attack

First Place In Documentary Category: Fire Attack

Firefighters from the Jersey Airport Rescue & Firefighting Service work as a team to attack a simulated aircraft fire. These live fire scenarios are designed to ensure the crews are fully skilled and ready should a real incident occur!
Location: Jersey, UK

Marc Le Cornu Report

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A B C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an aerospace engineer specializing in planes, I'd love to see this in action.

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#21

First Place In Industrial Category: Energy Storage

First Place In Industrial Category: Energy Storage

Location: Germany

Joel Jachum Report

#22

First Place In Environment Category: Flood Water Has Damaged Crops

First Place In Environment Category: Flood Water Has Damaged Crops

In Bogura, Bangladesh, flood water has damaged crops worth around Tk83 crore (£8 million) in the current season. The amount of damage in Sariakandi Upazila is around Tk68 crore (£6.4 million), while the combined amount of damage is Tk15 crore (£1.4 million) in Sonatala and Dhunat. The district agricultural extension officials and other agriculture officials provided the information after discussion with local farmers who were affected by the flood. In this season, at least 50,000 people have been waterlogged in Sariakandi Upazila alone. According to the Upazila agriculture office, 7,535 hectares of land have been submerged in Sariakandi.
Location: Bangladesh

Azim Khan Ronnie Report

#23

First Place In Accommodations Category: Colors Of Dubai

First Place In Accommodations Category: Colors Of Dubai

Real estate shooting for accommodations in the Burj Khalifa.
Location: UAE

Kevin Krautgartner Report

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