Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Best Drone Pictures Of Last Year Have Been Announced By Dronestagram, And They’re Breathtaking
The fifth annual Dronestagram photo contest has recently taken place, with the winners just announced. Using drones to capture our planet from new and unique perspectives, the competition attracts thousands of cool photos from all over the world, showcasing the very best of aerial photography.
This year's first prize winner was Hungry Hippos by zekedrone, an atmospheric shot taken at a low altitude, showing a bloat of hippos hanging out happily together in some muddy water. With the quality of entries at an all-time high and covering a variety of categories including urban, nature, people and creative, the judges faced some difficult decisions. "We were 6 of us to work out the best photos," Eric from Dronestagram told Bored Panda. "It wasn't easy because we received several thousand of them, so you have to be very organized to choose the best ones."
"A good drone photo must have a strong verticality and also show scenes close up, from a view that can only be taken by a drone. Then it must be artistic in its approach and style and if possible, show life with humans or animals."
If you are thinking of joining in on this flourishing new genre of aerial view photography, make sure to know the local rules and regulations about flying drones in the area, drones have gotten a fair bit of negative media coverage lately after they were used to cause havoc at British airports. Eric has some advice for novices to drone photography. "First learn to fly a drone and master it perfectly before moving on to shooting," he told us. "You can learn and train with a small and robust $50 drone, then once you know how to fly it, invest in a good camera drone. Try to fly in the countryside, and respect the local rules and laws!"
Just like last year, we here at Bored Panda have selected a list of our favorite finalists from the contest, which you can check out yourself below. Which one did you like best? Let us know in the comments!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Second Place Winner. Fishing Boat In Vietnam By Trung Pham
The fishing net in the sea, viewed from aerial
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
Despicable photo, draining the oceans of all the creatures and this just adds to it, you know Vietnam are some of the worst offenders for illegal fishing?. Not cool.
diane a 6 years ago (edited)
People from less developed countries have lived off the land and sea for millenia - as did the developed world until the last century or so. It is the first world with our intensive industrial fishing with miles of net for profit and export which is draining the oceans of life. Not people who fish the waters close to home to eat and make a basic living. How much is a little boat like that going to catch in comparison to a serious Trawler?
Load More Replies...
RELATED:
#2
Fall In Love By Zekedrone
This is my second annual exploration of the beautiful colors in the east coast USA
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
OMG!!! That is so beautiful. I live in Texas, and I've never had the chance to go up north to see this. They almost look like a large collection of different colored flowers. I hope I get to see that in person some day.
#3
Third Place Winner. 2 Dogs, 2 People And 4 Shadows By Qliebin
People, dogs and shadows on Black sea beach
JessG 6 years ago
That is cool! It took me a sec to realize the big images were their shadows !
Claire Armstrong 6 years ago
OMG, I'm so glad you posted that, I thought the big images were the people and dogs and the shadows were the small ones lol!
Load More Replies...
ƒιѕн 6 years ago
The perspective is straight down. All you can see is the peoples heads and top of dogs backs.
Load More Replies...
Herman Cronje 6 years ago
also, the shadows were elongated to make them seem real, but the width was kept in proportion. that can't be. the width would be much narrower. Have a look at the distance between the dog and the human, the real figures are qute close to each other. they are walking the dogs on leashes, so then the shadows of the humans and their dogs would be much closer if tou compare it with the "vertical" spread of the shadows. can't believe they actually came third with a photoshopped photo.
Herman Cronje 6 years ago
fake. shadows don't have shadows. and the actual figures can't each have two shadows.
#4
A Face In The Grain Field, Germany Photographersworld
Aileen 6 years ago
I guess they found that sleeping on your face is quite comfortable. I’ll have to try it sometime.
Load More Replies...
#5
Lion Vs Drone By Bachirm
Catlady6000 6 years ago
Not really, cats a, even big ones, are supposed to have a waistline. It's when you see bone outline that it becomes a concern.
Load More Replies...
danielw 6 years ago
the gods must be crazy... first with wheels that go round and round, and now with wings that do, too?! on second thought... I need to lay off that 'special' herd of gazelle... they're all stoners, and...
Load More Replies...
Just saying 6 years ago
This one in my favorite, so far. What a beautiful shot this was. Majestic!
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
This lion is not too skinny or starving. They are supposed to have a waist, also this is a young male lion and they tend to be a lot lankier until they get full grown. His hips and shoulders are not bony, and he appears to be completely healthy. But, I do believe that the person with the drone should have left him alone because that is unnecessary stress that wild animals do not need.
#6
In The Middle Of The Winter Forest By Photographersworld
Janina Prado 6 years ago
To me it looks like the bigger trees are surrounding this little one in protection.
Jenny Schultz 6 years ago
Love the scene, I just get very bothered when images such as this aren't centered more. It feels off aesthetically.
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
You must be a little like me. I have OCD, and it bugs me when things aren't centered or aligned the way they should be.
Load More Replies... Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
It is a very beautiful picture. I love the fact that the rest of the forest seems to be trying to protect this one little tree. Beautiful!!!
#7
Hon Khoi Salt Field, Vietnam By Trung Pham
Linda Christian 6 years ago
Or the idea for the salt mounds (another which came first) ?
Load More Replies...
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
They have been wearing those types of hats for centuries. It has been proven that those types of hats help the farmers and all the other people who go or work outside. They protect their heads, faces and the back of their necks. They are also very popular for other reasons. However, I did not know that they could find and harvest salt in this way.
#8
Harvest Water Lilies By Tuan Nguyen
Water Lilies are picked early in the morning in rivers, lakes and washed. Then the flowers are brought to market. This is the main income occupation of people in Long An, Vietnam in the high season.
#9
Al Qudra Desert, United Arab Emirates By Whosane
Luis Milian 6 years ago
Dubai has so many roads like this where they will go around trees. there aren't that many so they respect them.
Grazina Strolia 6 years ago
I'm intrigued by all the tracks just *off* the side of the road: why? And the footprints going up the crest of the dune and off into the desert.
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
Not yet. Next year for Halloween---I will be Groot!!! One way or another.
Load More Replies...
Simon Carter 6 years ago
The road that goes around the tree is actually the Al Qudra cycle track. It's an 85km bike loop.
#10
On The Nhu Y River By Tuan Nguyen
On the Nhu Y river in Hue City, Vietnam. The girls in Ao Dai dresses (traditional dresses) were releasing the floating candles on the river to pray for peace and happiness. This is the spiritual culture longstanding in Vietnam
Basil 6 years ago
. . . you know, except for the f*****g drone right over there. Ugh.
Load More Replies...
electricblue 6 years ago
This reminds me of that one scene from 'Tangled' with Flynn and Rapunzel on the boat.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
Bad for the marine life releasing those stupid candles.
Jane Cunningham 6 years ago
Too bad it did not work for these people in the late 60's. This is beautiful.
#11
First Place Winner. Bathing Hippos In Tanzania By Zekedrone
This by far was the highlight of my trip to Tanzania. I giant hippo party which was super VIP. But I knew exactly how to get in. Something they couldn’t resist. A game of Hungry Hungry Hippos!
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
Amazing, i saw Hippos on a safari a few years back, they are a thousand times more impressive when you see them up close.
Janina Prado 6 years ago
This is magnificent, yet terrifying. I would hate to see this mob get angry.
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
I thought that when it was time for them to give birth they would move a little ways away from the herd (not too far) to protect the baby from getting squashed.
Load More Replies...
#12
Cote Rocheuse By Dronecopters
Just saying 6 years ago
I love shots of water. This a very good one to have gotten all of the colors.
#13
A Collapsed Truck In Russia By Drone Nest
Saw this truck resting in such way near my house and hurried for my drone to capture this moment
Laugh Fan 6 years ago
I know how it feels! I do also fall over a fair amount.
Load More Replies...
A panda-gineer 6 years ago
Looks to me like the truck is jumping over traffic... while carrying the sun.
#14
Lightning Over Kuala Lumpur By Pete Demarco
ispeak catanese 6 years ago
Must be a nice night out in the city for you!
Load More Replies...
Natters 6 years ago
I myself, a Malaysian, have not been up there yet. Lol.
Load More Replies...
Just saying 6 years ago
I feel that any picture is 10xs better with lightning in it. Also, trying to time it exactly when it strikes, brings in the brightness
#15
Harvesting Grass By Tuan Nguyen
Farmers are harvesting grass in the big water season
Nail Joshep 6 years ago
This kind of grass is very long and it is used to make vietnamese straw mat.
Load More Replies...
Robyn Denton 6 years ago
The only silly question is the one you don't ask, because you don't want to seem foolish. So, WHY would anyone harvest grass? Does anyone know?
S.C. Moratti 6 years ago
could be food for animals or thatching for roofs
Load More Replies...
Grivzyrn Novarn 6 years ago
I see a smiling T-Rex with little straw dolls in his tiny arms.
Load More Replies... 
Anh Hieu Le 6 years ago
No, they are harvesting a special grass to make rattan stuffs.
Load More Replies... #16
Reynisdrangar By Balazs3
Iceland’s South Coast
Laugh Fan 6 years ago
Stunning! Reminds me of some cliffs where I saw a beautiful house for sale in Norfolk, UK. Too near the cliff so the price was massively reduced - they expect it to end up in the sea within 20 years. Such a shame.
diane a 6 years ago
I lived near a place called Belle Tout Lighthouse in East Sussex - it was in danger from cliff erosion so they dragged the whole building about 100m further inland
Load More Replies... Kaisu Rei 6 years ago
Amazing, I love how the land suddenly ends and there's a direct drop into the sea
Jessica Bertram 6 years ago
that would be Vik in the valley back there....i love the different perspective of these famous stacks.
#17
Fish shaped island in Croatia By Milan Photo
Fish shaped island is the inspiration for the logo of Brijuni National park, which was formerly Tito’s holyday playground. Gaz island, Brijuni NP, Adriatic Sea, Croatia
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
It still looks very nice. Though it might need more sand. But the ocean around it is beautiful.
#18
The Red Umbrella By Caesarpmr
#19
Between Two Worlds By Thedon
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
This is so amazing. It's not just a picture, this is art. So beautiful.
Carol Stapleton 6 years ago
Cloud formation at 12 o’clock = Chemtrails containing ‘dumbing down’ chemicals ....
#20
Shot Over The Infamous Half Desert Road In Dubai By Whosane
Neb 6 years ago
Sand - yes, but not sure about the sea. It is not the beach, it is desert - sea are tens of km away.
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 6 years ago
Those areas really aren't quite suitable for human habitation imo. Wonder who has to shovel sand there every day...
Tammy Chapman 6 years ago
Half Desert Road, huh? It looks like the desert wants way more than half.
#21
Brighton Pier By Lukemaximobell
Laugh Fan 6 years ago
I love Brighton pier! Feel very lucky to live near here (at the moment!).
Roger Haywood 6 years ago
I've never been to Brighton. Every time I go to the seaside it's either Skegness or Blackpool.
#22
A New Bridge In Ukraine By Maxwebb
Amazon QT 6 years ago
It’s also a different photo that BP used. If you click on name-link in lower left corner you can see the actuyphoto by Maxvvvebb
Load More Replies... #23
Les 3 Volcans By Dronecopters
Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
We are just tiny, insignificant, short-lived travelers on a giant ball of molten rock. Live like there is no tomorrow, and at the same time as though your life will never ever end. And plant an olive tree, if the climate where you are living allows you to. Cheers!
Jean Kalote 6 years ago
haha but this picture taken in a helicopter not by a drone lol
Load More Replies... #24
Sheep Herding By Photographersworld
#25
Laguna De Cotacotani By Alex Mimo
Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes in the coming sunset light. Vertical drone pano. Lauca National Park, Chile
#26
Black Sand Beach By Balazs3
Waves crashing at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
GB1997 6 years ago
can anyone explain the perspective on this one? Looks like an oil painting!
Kaisu Rei 6 years ago
The sand is black and those are waves hitting the shore! It's a bird's eye view of the shoreline
Load More Replies...
#27
Winter Ice By Photographersworld
#28
The Outskirts Of A Town Called Dorothy In Alberta, Canada By Justen Soule
Nelson Sturdivant 6 years ago
Same place on street view...much better from the air! Dorothy-5c...89-png.jpg 
Full Name 6 years ago
This is more like what post would've looked like in real life, which is why I'm not a fan of it at all: fixt-5c402...c7868b.jpg 
#29
Sai Gon By Night By Tuan Nguyen
A corner of Saigon at night. This is the largest and most dynamic city in Vietnam
Laugh Fan 6 years ago
It's funny that all that concrete, steel and glass can actually be so beautiful.
Lu 6 years ago
True during the day I’m sure it’s very chaotic and not as pretty.
Load More Replies... Bob Collins 6 years ago
Never could have imagined this 50 years ago! It looked a LOT different in the 1960s
engineer_nope.avi 6 years ago
If I'm not mistaken, this photo is taken probably near District 2 in Saigon. (I live here)
Slune 6 years ago
It's funny I was thinking the same.Currently visiting HCMC for the 3.time a and also living in District 2.
Load More Replies...
#30
Harvesting Tea Leaves By Tuan Nguyen
Harvesting tea leaves in Bao Loc, Vietnam. The leaves are harvested early in the morning when the dew still remains on the leaves. It is then put into the factory for processing into tea
Neurotic_Octopus 6 years ago
I was going to say the same thing! They look like super detailed miniatures.
Load More Replies...
#31
Harvesting Shrimp On The Sea By Tuan Nguyen
Harvesting shrimp on the sea in Phu Yen, Vietnam. These shrimp are mainly used in processing shrimp paste. A delicious and traditional Vietnamese food
#32
Fairy Forest By Thedon
Carol Stapleton 6 years ago (edited)
Whilst I think this is wonderful I’m still perplexed about what the whitish candy flossish coating on the treetops is?
#33
Horseshoe Bay Beach By Arnaud
somewhere along the most beautiful beach in Bermuda
#34
Immaculate Landscape By Balazs3
Iceland is a land of beauty as portrayed by this drone shot
#35
Rural Ice Hockey In Russia By Maksim Tarasov
diane a 6 years ago
Doesnt look like there is alot else to do sport-wise in winter.
Load More Replies...
#36
A Football Pitch In The Middle Of The Jabal Mountains In Oman By Kolibik-Foto
Laugh Fan 6 years ago
True - though ouch to playing football on astroturf! Although maybe it discourages the players from taking dives!
Load More Replies...
rakuninaru 6 years ago
This is how corrupt governments spend money in small countries. Seems that making these fields is good business
Dick van Mersbergen 6 years ago
this is a really really small pitch. about 4 cars wide and 8 long so about 16x32.
#37
Three Figures In The Jordan Desert Near Wadi Rum By Kolibik-Foto
engineer_nope.avi 6 years ago
Are they looking for the star that leads to the Son of God?
Load More Replies...
Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
Is there a single spot of this desert in the photo that is not covered with tire tracks or footsteps? (Haha. That stupid ever-interfering spelling program insists on changing it into "dessert"!)
#38
Leme Beach, Close To Copacabana Beach, Rio De Janeiro By Americo Vermelho
diane a 6 years ago (edited)
That paving effect is visually disturbing from this angle. Looks 3D and almost as if it is moving.
Carson Lujan 6 years ago
This isn’t close to the beach it’s literally right next to it (I was there a while ago)
Julie Lynn 6 years ago
I don't really get the pictures. Sorry for my naivety but are the lines also groomed sand? I'm confused. None-the-less, it is a breath-taking picture! :)
Sally Gillies 6 years ago
Spent some time in Rio many years ago. The mosaic sidewalks are famous around the world. Neat photo!
Brandi Gates 6 years ago
It still makes for a great photo though!!! Even though is may be a tad visually awkward....
#39
The Projects In Brooklyn By Sanllacer
Rebekah 6 years ago
Funny. I've walked the projects in Brooklyn. Never thought of how pretty they would be from above.
diane a 6 years ago
Doesnt look bad compared to the equivalent in Eastern Europe
Load More Replies...
#40
The Green Island Of Karadag By Alex Mimo
Drone pano. Koktebel, Crimea
#41
One Morning Peacefully By Tuan Nguyen
A family in the ancient imperial city of Hue catch fish in the Ru Cha mangrove forest. This is the picture close, happy common in villages
#42
Blue Lagoon By Balazs3
On the way to the Blue Lagoon we stopped, flew the drone, and were rewarded with this unreal view.
Jenný Samúelsdóttir Herlufsen 6 years ago
If that white car is yours, you are an idiot and you caused a threat to the coming traffic. This is part of the reason tourists have so many accidents in Iceland. "Hey that's beautiful, let's stop right here and fly the drone and take pictures. Looks like a nice place to kill someone"
Aahzmandus Pervect 6 years ago
I'm sure you're right about the fact that a lot of tourists have accidents in Iceland, but I think you're a bit harsh in this case. The car is not parked in the middle of the road, and the visibility is good, the road is pretty straight. I really don't think this was reckless.
Load More Replies... #43
A Routine Day In Dubai On Sheikh Zayed Road By Bachirm
Laugh Fan 6 years ago
YES! Me too. My stomach flipped... had to scroll quickly past.
Load More Replies...
#44
The Color Changes As A Farmer Prepares A Berry Farm In Early Spring Outside Of Peterborough, Ontario By Justen Soule
Carson Lujan 6 years ago
The tractor is a time machine the field is before TVs has color that once it crosses it it’s modern
Joseph Barnett 6 years ago
Lots of places have red soil/sand. The Outback in Western Australia (was stationed there, the whole base in Western Australia) Florida has red sand under the grass in most places.
Load More Replies...
#45
Cast A Net By Tuan Nguyen
I saw some fishermen casting their net into a river. This is a profession in longstanding Hue, Vietnam. In the afternoon, if we stroll on the Vy Da bridge, we will see fishermen casting their net on the Nhu Y river
#46
Creta’s Beach By Matayo
Long exposure done during the sun set
#47
The Best Camping Spot By Balazs3
An aerial perspective of camping in the winter
#48
An Abandoned Water Park In Dubai By Dxbdrone
Andrzej Kamiński 6 years ago
I was there. It's not Dubai, but Sharjah Al Montazah Waterpark. It's not abandoned, but almost. ;) 1048124_10...d2e59c.jpg 
Brian Barringer 6 years ago
was thinking same thing, Dubai they build more & faster than any other city in the world,
Load More Replies...
Sharon Doucet 6 years ago
As Andrzej says, it's not abandoned at all. Very much alive! But yes, from this photo it looks it. It might be how the slides look like they should end in pools, but they look empty. However, these slides are the kind that slow you down to a halt, so, no need for pools.
#49
Canoes In The Singapore Reservoirs By John Wong
#50
Marine Langevin By Dronecopters
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Marianne Iske 6 years ago
Truly wonder how much different these pictures would be if we had drones 100 years ago?
osm huzi 6 years ago
I think It's Great! This drone has an amazing flight time. That’s especially true if we compare to its direct competitors in the selfie drones niche. You see, drones such as XIRO Xplorer Mini, Zerotech Dobby and so on, have approximately 10 minutes of flight time on average. That’s understandable since people don’t need more than that for taking a couple of selfies here and there. But, it’s not a surprise that DJI took thins one level further. Believe it or not, DJI Mavic Pro has enormous 27 minutes of flight time which is absolutely amazing. It surpasses all of its competitors by a mile. With such a huge flight time, it allows the drone to be used not only for recording selfies but also for exploring and doing many more things, making it the perfect all around compact drone. https://amzn.to/2J6dDgM Flight range is yet another specification that DJI loves to outplay their competition with. With their new technology, which they implemented into their new series of drones,
osm huzi 6 years ago
This drone has an amazing flight time. That’s especially true if we compare to its direct competitors in the selfie drones niche. You see, drones such as XIRO Xplorer Mini, Zerotech Dobby and so on, have approximately 10 minutes of flight time on average. That’s understandable since people don’t need more than that for taking a couple of selfies here and there. But, it’s not a surprise that DJI took thins one level further. Believe it or not, DJI Mavic Pro has enormous 27 minutes of flight time which is absolutely amazing. It surpasses all of its competitors by a mile. With such a huge flight time, it allows the drone to be used not only for recording selfies but also for exploring and doing many more things, making it the perfect all around compact drone. https://amzn.to/2J6dDgM Flight range is yet another specification that DJI loves to outplay their competition with. With their new technology, which they implemented into their new series of drones, it’s safe to say they are simply s
Marianne Iske 6 years ago
Truly wonder how much different these pictures would be if we had drones 100 years ago?
osm huzi 6 years ago
I think It's Great! This drone has an amazing flight time. That’s especially true if we compare to its direct competitors in the selfie drones niche. You see, drones such as XIRO Xplorer Mini, Zerotech Dobby and so on, have approximately 10 minutes of flight time on average. That’s understandable since people don’t need more than that for taking a couple of selfies here and there. But, it’s not a surprise that DJI took thins one level further. Believe it or not, DJI Mavic Pro has enormous 27 minutes of flight time which is absolutely amazing. It surpasses all of its competitors by a mile. With such a huge flight time, it allows the drone to be used not only for recording selfies but also for exploring and doing many more things, making it the perfect all around compact drone. https://amzn.to/2J6dDgM Flight range is yet another specification that DJI loves to outplay their competition with. With their new technology, which they implemented into their new series of drones,
osm huzi 6 years ago
This drone has an amazing flight time. That’s especially true if we compare to its direct competitors in the selfie drones niche. You see, drones such as XIRO Xplorer Mini, Zerotech Dobby and so on, have approximately 10 minutes of flight time on average. That’s understandable since people don’t need more than that for taking a couple of selfies here and there. But, it’s not a surprise that DJI took thins one level further. Believe it or not, DJI Mavic Pro has enormous 27 minutes of flight time which is absolutely amazing. It surpasses all of its competitors by a mile. With such a huge flight time, it allows the drone to be used not only for recording selfies but also for exploring and doing many more things, making it the perfect all around compact drone. https://amzn.to/2J6dDgM Flight range is yet another specification that DJI loves to outplay their competition with. With their new technology, which they implemented into their new series of drones, it’s safe to say they are simply s
You May Like 86 Photography Hacks To Take Your Photos To The Next Level 50 People Arranged Things In The Most Satisfying Way, Then Shared It On This Group (New Pics) 30 Animal Panorama Fails That Are So Bad They're Good
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Gabija Palšytė
Akvile Petraityte 🇺🇦
Related on Bored Panda
