Key Takeaways:
- SkyPixel, along with DJI and Tourism Australia, successfully hosted the inaugural Australia from Above aerial photography contest, showcasing Australia’s breathtaking landscapes from an aerial perspective.
- Over 6,000 submissions flooded into the contest, highlighting the incredible diversity of Australia’s natural beauty, from serene beaches to rugged outbacks.
- The grand prize was awarded to a stunning photo capturing a serene moment in a rock pool, while additional prizes went to multiple talented photographers for their unique takes on Australia’s scenery.
SkyPixel Aerial Photography Contest Highlights Australia’s Natural Wonders
In an exciting culmination of creativity and skill, SkyPixel, renowned as the world’s largest aerial photography community, recently wrapped up its inaugural Australia from Above contest. Launched in partnership with DJI and Tourism Australia, this two-month competition celebrated the unparalleled beauty of Australia through the lens of aerial photography.
Capturing the Essence of Australia
The contest ignited enthusiasm among photographers from across the globe, yielding over 6,000 entries. Each photograph offered a unique glimpse into Australia’s diverse landscapes—from the soft, inviting sands of its pristine beaches to the formidable allure of the rugged, red outback. This showcase highlighted the nation’s most captivating vistas, viewed from a perspective that only aerial photography can provide.
Winning Moments
The ultimate accolade went to the striking photograph titled Refreshing Places to Float, captured by talented photographer Airloft. This winning image beautifully depicts a moment of tranquility, showing a person enjoying a leisurely float in the crystal-clear waters of Wyadup Spa in Western Australia. In recognition of this stunning capture, Airloft will receive an impressive array of prizes, including a DJI Inspire 2 Premium Combo, a SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO® MicroSD card, a 480GB Extreme® 500 Portable SSD, a one-year Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan, as well as two nights at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and two nights at Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island.
Recognizing Outstanding Talent
Second and third place honors were claimed by skysnaps for an evocative piece titled Sea of Green, capturing a wave at Secret Harbour, and Yantastic for Rigby Island, featuring a unique top-down perspective of a boat navigating through Victoria’s stunning Rigby Island. These talented photographers will also receive an assortment of prizes generously provided by DJI, SanDisk, Adobe, and Epson.
In addition to the top winners, SkyPixel recognized ten other exceptional entries that were shortlisted by community members. These photographers were awarded Osmo Mobile Silver products, along with additional SanDisk MicroSD cards and Portable SSDs.
An Esteemed Judging Panel
The winning photographs were carefully selected by a panel of judges comprised of industry experts, including Lisa Ronson, Chief Marketing Officer of Tourism Australia; acclaimed Australian landscape photographer Kirk Hille; Todd Kennedy, recognized as the “Travel Photographer of the Year” by Australian Photography Magazine; and Tom Rex Jessett, a New Zealand-based photographer known for his world travels.
Lisa Ronson, reflecting on the contest’s outcome, expressed her amazement at the sheer volume and caliber of submissions, remarking, “There are some amazingly talented photographers out there who are using drone technology to capture some breathtaking images of Australia.” She noted how drone photography, along with innovations like virtual reality and 360-degree imaging, is transforming the way stories about Australia’s beauty can be told. This exciting development not only enhances the tourism narrative but also inspires operators to explore new and engaging promotional strategies for their businesses.
Explore the Winning Photographs
Photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike can view all the remarkable winning entries and experience the captivating landscapes of Australia captured from above by visiting this link.
By shedding light on the stunning captures and the talents behind them, SkyPixel has successfully illustrated how technology and artistry can come together to promote awareness of the breathtaking landscapes that Australia has to offer.
