Key Takeaways:
- The 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest is officially launched by DJI and SkyPixel.
- The contest runs from November 7, 2023, to February 2, 2024, and offers over $200,000 in prizes.
- This year’s contest features new categories and monthly competitions, encouraging participants to explore their creative potential.
- A distinguished panel of judges from the photography and film industry will evaluate submissions.
November 7, 2023 – In an exciting announcement, DJI and SkyPixel have unveiled the 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest, a highly anticipated event in the aerial photography community. Set to run from November 7, 2023, until February 2, 2024, the contest encourages photographers and videographers to delve deeper into their creativity and showcase their unique perspectives from the skies. With an impressive total prize pool exceeding $200,000, this contest promises to celebrate the artistry and innovation inherent in aerial imagery.
In comments about the contest, Nan Li, the Photo Director of Southern Weekly, stated, “The art of visual expression revolves around pushing the boundaries of the mind and nurturing creative thought.” This sentiment reflects the ethos of the SkyPixel Annual Contest, which has consistently showcased breathtaking moments captured from ther horizons. As it embarks on its ninth year, the contest aims not only to ignite curiosity among creators but also to immerse audiences in the captivating world of aerial photography.
A Competition Shaped by the Community
The SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest serves as a celebration of diverse stories told from both the earth and sky. Over the past nine years, SkyPixel has fostered a vibrant community, encouraging submissions that embody the adventurous spirit of its participants. This inclusive initiative has amassed over 260,000 submissions and achieved over a billion global views, underscoring its success in recognizing and celebrating outstanding talent within the aerial photography realm.
This year brings fresh excitement as the contest introduces additional opportunities for participants. In addition to the main competition, three monthly categories have been added, each highlighting a distinct focal area: Multi-Focal Length in November, FPV (First-Person View) images in December, and Handheld photography in January. Notably, entries in these monthly competitions can also be submitted to the overall contest, allowing creators to vie for both monthly and overarching awards. A new creative category for video content has also been introduced, further diversifying the opportunities available to participants.
Expert Judges on Board
This year’s contest features an impressive lineup of industry-leading judges, ensuring that submissions are evaluated by some of the best in the field. The photography panel includes esteemed figures such as Wen Huang, a World Press Photo judge and Senior Editor, Anne Farrar, Assistant Photography Chief Editor at National Geographic, alongside Nan Li and renowned photographer Daniel Kordan. In the video category, judges feature talents like Michael Fitzmaurice, the Aerial Director of Photography for “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” and Xiaoshi Zhao, celebrated for his award-winning film “Forever Enthralled.” Joining them are Bing Xi, a key player in the Chinese TV commercial sector, and distinguished filmmaker Brandon Li.
Exciting Prize Packages
Excitement heightens with the announcement of a total of 79 awards valued at over $200,000. Winners will be honored with exceptional prizes, including the DJI Inspire 3 for video and the Hasselblad X2D 100C for photography, each valued at $20,000 and $14,000 respectively. Awardees will also be recognized as official SkyPixel Creators, along with receiving a prestigious trophy and certificate. Additional prizes include top-tier equipment such as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, DJI Air 3, DJI Avata, Osmo Pocket 3, Osmo Action 4, and Osmo Mobile 6, allowing exceptional talents to further sharpen their craft.
Categories of Competition
The competition spans various categories, with the photography contest comprising the following:
The Nature Category – A Force of Nature
Participants are encouraged to capture the awe-inspiring beauty and power of nature.
The Architecture Category – Beauty in Design
This category invites entries that highlight traditional and innovative architectural feats.
The Portrait Category – Portrait in the Sky
Entrants can eternalize the essence of their subjects through captivating aerial portraits.
The Sports Category – More Than a Game
Photographers are encouraged to encapsulate the excitement and significance of sports in people’s lives.
All aerial images must be shot with drones, with a minimum size of 3 MB and a resolution of 300 dpi, along with retained EXIF data. The video competition includes a similar variety of categories, highlighting the multifaceted nature of aerial videography.
For detailed guidelines, interested participants can visit the SkyPixel contest website and prepare their submissions, which can be submitted until February 2, 2024.
About SkyPixel and DJI
Established in 2014, SkyPixel remains a prominent global community for aerial creators, hosting millions of registered users and thousands of daily uploads. DJI, since its inception in 2006, has led innovations in the civilian drone industry, empowering creators across various fields while promoting advancements that benefit lives globally. Discover more about both entities by visiting SkyPixel or DJI’s website.
