Dizzying: The Best Photos from the Drone Awards (26 photos)

Judges of the prestigious international Drone Awards 2019 competition reviewed over 4,500 images submitted by professional and amateur photographers from 107 countries to announce the best aerial photographs of the year. Not only images taken with drones were eligible, but also those taken from airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, airships, kites, and parachutes.

Polish photographer Jacek Deneka won the grand prize of the Drone Awards 2019 for his image of skiers at the classic 50-kilometer Piast Run in Jakuszyce. Among the best works of the year were a photograph of Antarctic seals on an ice floe, an ancient settlement in Algeria, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and other remarkable aerial photographs.





The competition has announced the overall winner, who will receive the title of "Aerial Photographer of the Year 2019" and the magnificent crystal sphere "Pangea Prize." The winners and finalists in the following categories were also announced: "Abstract," "Nature," "People," "Sport," "Wildlife," and "City." The awards ceremony will take place in October in Siena, Italy, at the "Sky is the Limit" exhibition at the Teatro dei Rozzi during the photography festival.

The competition was organized by the non-profit association Art Photo Travel. She creates cultural initiatives aimed at disseminating and developing photography, art, and culture. Since 2015, Art Photo Travel has established the Siena International Photo Awards, annually celebrating the best photography in various categories from around the world.

Winners and finalists of the Drone Awards 2019:



"Aerial Photograph of the Year." "A school of colorful fish." Photo by Jacek Deneka.

A photographer from Poland captured skiers racing in the 50 km classic style at the Bieg Piastów (Piast Race) ski marathon in Jakuszyce, Poland.

Winner in the City category. "Beni Isgouen." Photo by George Steinmetz.

This photo captures Beni Isgouen, the most beautifully preserved of the ancient mountain settlements in Ghardaia, Algeria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Residents meticulously maintain their ancient houses, the roofs of which are often enclosed and used for washing and sleeping outdoors on the hot Saharan nights.



Second place in the City category. "In the Age of Aviation." Photo by Yassen Todorov.



Finalist in the City category. "Soldier Field in a Snowstorm." Photo by Jamie Link.

A photo of Soldier Field in Chicago during a snowstorm in November 2018.



Finalist in the City category. "Overpass Waltz." Photo by Ming Li.

Only from the air can one capture the absolute symmetry of the overpass, which blends perfectly with the surrounding flowerbeds. Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.



Winner in the Abstract category. "Endless Eight." Photo by Marc Le Cornu. Shot on the Channel Island of Jersey (USA).



Finalist in the Abstract category. "Cooling Tower." Photo by Reginald Van de Velde.

An abandoned cooling tower in Belgium, seen from the inside. Cooling towers are used to remove excess heat from power plants.



Finalist in the Abstract category. "Irrigation." Photo by Gomei Yang.

A flower garden complex with intricate patterns, located in Jiangsu Province, China.



Winner in the Nature category. "Island of Love." Photo by Jeremias Gedek. Among fields of blooming rapeseed in a picturesque Polish setting.



Second Place in the Nature Category. "Mirror of the Earth." Photo by Shihu Liu.

Aerial photograph of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest geothermal spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. Located in Yellowstone National Park.



Finalist in the Nature Category. "Lonely Boat." Photo by Shihu Liu.

Aerial photograph of a boat cruising among lotus flowers in Gulao Village, Guangdong Province, China.



Winner in the Sports category. "After the Snowstorm." Photo by JoSon.



Second place in the Sports category. "Climbing." Photo by Sebi Skollo.



Finalist in the "Sports" category. Football in the forest. Photo by Yura Borshchev.



Winner in the "Wildlife" category. "Crabeater Seals on Ice." Photo by Florian Ledoux.

Taken in Antarctica in the spring, when large icebergs are fewer in number. Crabeater seals rest on an ice floe during a break from foraging.



Second place in the Wildlife category. "Alone." Photo by Diana Buzoianu.



Finalist in the Wildlife category. "Nomads." Photo by Bashir Moukarzel.



Finalist in the Wildlife category. Humpback Whale Feeding, Antarctica. Photo by Florian Ledoux.



Finalist in the Wildlife category. "Flamingos." Photo by Talal Al Rabah. Dozens of birds captured at dawn in Kuwait.



Winner in the People category. "Flowers on the Water." Photo by Khanh Phan.

Women in Vietnam wash water lilies, which will be gathered into a bunch and taken to the market.



Second place in the People category. Durvey Beach. Photo by Benoit Stichelbaut.



Finalist in the People category. "Govinda Participants." Photo by Mani Sharma.

People at the Dahi Handi festival build a human tower to retrieve a clay pot.



Finalist in the People category. "2 People, 2 Dogs, and 4 Shadows." Photo by Evgeniy Samuchenko.



Finalist in the People category. "A Moment of Peace," Norway. Photo by Atle Sveen.



Finalist in the People category. "Incense Making." Photo by Nong Thanh Toan.