Celebrating Aerial Excellence: SkyPixel 7th Anniversary Contest Highlights
Over 30,000 entries poured in for the SkyPixel 7th Anniversary Aerial Photo & Video Contest, co-organized with DJI, showcasing remarkable talent from around the world. Participants from 124 countries contributed their breathtaking imagery and videography, illustrating the vast creativity within the aerial photography community. This influx of submissions reflects the increasing interest and passion for aerial visuals, making it a celebration of innovation and artistry in the field.
This year’s contest concluded with distinguished winners honored in both photo and video categories. Wenrui Ye clinched the Grand Prize in the Video Category for his enchanting portrayal of urban villages through the lens of a dancer. He described his work as a reflection of the unique tapestry of urban inclusion present in these villages, stating, “I revisited Guangzhou, a city where I have lived for nearly thirty years, and explored it with my interpretations, memories, and a brand-new perspective.” Yann Arthus-Bertrand, a respected judge, was captivated by the narrative quality of the video, describing it as a “short movie nicely done” that intertwines compelling storytelling with exceptional visual technique.
Photo Category Champion
Zhu Jianxin took home the Grand Prize in the Photo category with a stunning capture of a frozen lake amidst the Taklamakan Desert. His artistic perspective transforms seemingly random cracks in the ice into a delicate portrait reminiscent of an orchid. Jianxin expressed his fascination with how drones can reveal the hidden beauty of our natural world, affirming that photography stems from life and nature. Commenting on his artwork, Stephen Foster remarked, “The real art in photography is to capture a photograph that invites viewers to analyze it longer than a few seconds to understand its true essence.”
Celebrating Diverse Talent
Alongside the Grand Prize winners, DJI and SkyPixel also recognized the recipients of the Mavic 3 Limited Award, as well as the top three entries in all ten competition categories. The celebration included diverse artistic expressions from capturing the beauty of nature to urban settings, providing a fantastic showcase of what aerial photography can offer. For those interested in exploring all submissions, a comprehensive gallery is available on the SkyPixel contest website at https://www.skypixel.com/contests/2021.
Expert Panel Judging
All entries were carefully evaluated by an esteemed judging panel comprised of industry professionals, including Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Alex Mellis, Pieter de Vries, Stefan Foster, Karim Iliya, and Yuntian Yu. DJI and SkyPixel extend their gratitude to all participants for sharing their extraordinary work, contributing to a vibrant community of aerial creatives, and inspiring others through their art.
For further inquiries, please reach out via email at skypixel.campaign@dji.com.
*Permits were obtained, where applicable, for all locations depicted in the awarded videos and photos.
About SkyPixel
Since its inception in 2014, the SkyPixel online community has attracted over 37 million aerial photographers, videographers, and content creators from more than 140 nations. Now celebrating its seventh year, SkyPixel continues to evolve, connecting photographic communities globally. The platform showcases a vast collection of visual masterpieces that capture themes ranging from breathtaking landscapes to intricate cultural expressions, further establishing itself as a pivotal player in the world of aerial photography.
