Check out the spectacular winning images of the Drone Photo Awards 2023
Theo Farrant
·4-min read
The winners of the highly esteemed Drone Photo Awards 2023 have been unveiled, marking yet another milestone in the realm of aerial photography.
Amidst fierce competition and an array of breathtaking entries, Or Adar, an Israeli photographer, emerged as the overall victor, claiming the coveted title with their mesmerising masterpiece titled "Must Resist."
The photograph captures the essence of a powerful protest, as thousands of demonstrators find themselves partially concealed by the commanding presence of three colossal billboards.
The Drone Photo Awards, which include nine diverse categories, form an integral part of the illustrious Siena Awards festival of visual arts.
The winning images will be showcased for the first time at the San Galgano Abbey in Siena, Italy, as part of an exhibition entitled "Above Us Only Sky."
Without further ado, here are all the winners for this year's competition.
Photo Of The Year - 'Must Resist' by Or Adar
"An aerial view of protesters holding banners during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plans, in Tel Aviv. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Israeli cities for the ninth straight week, on Saturday 4 March, to fight a government plan to reform the country's court system".
Urban Category - 'Playground' by Sebastian Piórek
"A playground full of joy hidden somewhere deep in the south of Poland shows its beauty in the first flash of sun from above. This region is known for its mines and strongly urban character of architecture, so such a colourful playground is a kind of pearl from the ground and also from the air".
Wildlife Category - 'Sleeping Giant' by Dhanu Paran
"The elephant rests on its side, its massive body occupying a significant portion of the frame. Its wrinkled grey skin appears to harmonise effortlessly with the surrounding foliage, giving the impression that it is an inherent component of the landscape".
Sport Category - 'Highline' by David Machet
"In January 2021, amidst intense cold, the renowned tightrope walker Nathan Paulin successfully crossed a 200m long and 2.5cm wide "highline" at "Pointe d'Areu" in the Aravis range, at an altitude of 2460 meters. This incredible achievement required the dedicated efforts of a team of six individuals over the course of three days to execute this world premiere".
People Category - 'Beach Bliss' by Simon Heather
"Sun lovers bring their brightest towels, swimsuits and umbrellas to the shores of Cascais, creating a wonderful vibrant wallpaper when viewed from above. Life is better at the beach!".
Nature Category - 'Austfonna Ice Cap' by Thomas Vijayan
"I have visited this place several times before, but last year it was disheartening to witness the sea ice melting as early as June. Our ship was able to navigate through the melted ice and reach the ice cap. However, even the ice cap had begun melting earlier than usual last year, which was a concerning observation".
Abstract Category - 'The Exhausted Lungs Of Earth' by Ignacio Medem
"The Colorado River basin has been severely impacted by a combination of poor management and prolonged drought, reaching a critical point of no return. The intricate patterns formed by the water, metaphorically resembling the lungs of the earth, have become depleted and are teetering on the edge of collapse".
Wedding Category - 'Swim in the stars' by Krzysztof Krawczyk
"Under the heavy clouds, thousands of dry leaves glisten like stars from this vantage point, while gentle waves ripple beneath. The bride and groom find themselves in a boat adorned with beautiful flowers, creating a truly romantic scene".
Series Category - 'Foodscapes' by George Steinmetz
"Foodscapes" is an aerial component of my Feed the Planet project, which aims to comprehensively explore the global food supply and address the increasing challenge of feeding the growing human population, projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, without further encroaching on natural lands. Gaining a deeper understanding of food production and its environmental impacts is crucial for making informed decisions. To accomplish this, I utilise professional drones to capture elevated perspectives, as they offer the most effective means of showcasing the immense scale required to sustain the entire human population".
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