Key Takeaways from SkyPixel’s 2015 Aerial Photography Awards
- The esteemed title of “SkyPixel Photo of the Year” was awarded to Kirk Hille for his captivating image, “Surge,” featuring a solitary swimmer.
- The competition attracted over 10,000 submissions from 146 countries, showcasing the global appeal of drone photography.
- Winners received impressive prizes including a DJI Inspire 1 RAW and a one-year subscription to Adobe Cloud, with an overall value of approximately $10,000.
- SkyPixel also recognized popular entries based on community engagement through “likes,” highlighting the growing community involvement in aerial imagery.
Las Vegas, USA (January 6, 2016) – SkyPixel, the leading aerial photography platform created in collaboration with DJI, unveiled the winners of its 2015 global competition on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the world of aerial imaging during a two-month contest.
Kirk Hille’s mesmerizing photograph titled “Surge,” which features a lone swimmer in an ethereal setting, was named the SkyPixel Photo of the Year. A panel of elite judges including Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Ken Geiger evaluated over 10,000 submissions from across 146 nations to select the winning entry, alongside other category champions.
Reflecting on Hille’s impressive work, Ken Geiger commented that “Surge” provided “a unique viewpoint, lovely color and composition” and emotionally resonated with him, igniting a desire to immerse himself in the scene.
For his outstanding achievement, Hille was awarded an array of prestigious prizes, including a DJI Inspire 1 RAW, a DJI Osmo, a one-year Adobe Cloud subscription, and a Zeiss VR One, collectively valued at nearly $10,000.
In addition to the grand prize, SkyPixel recognized first, second, and third place entries across three categories: “beauty,” “unique dronies,” and “drones in use.” Professional photographers and enthusiasts were judged separately, promoting a diverse range of talent and creativity. All the winning entries are showcased on the SkyPixel website, accessible here.
SkyPixel also celebrated photos acknowledged as “most-popular,” determined by the number of “likes” they garnered within the community, further demonstrating the growing engagement and interest in drone photography.
“The significant number of entries is a clear sign of the rising popularity of drone photography and the unique perspective they offer creators and viewers,” stated Sheldon Schwartz, Executive Creative Director.
The 2015 SkyPixel competition partnered with renowned organizations including Conde Nast Traveler, Sony, Adobe, Zeiss, Huawei, and Lowepro.
The judging panel featured distinguished experts, including Ken Geiger and fellow Pulitzer Prize recipient Jahangir Razmi of Iran, alongside notable nature, wildlife, and landscape photographers such as Manish Mamtani, Sudhir Shivaram, Wang Jianjun, and Matt Waite, a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and founder of the Drone Journalism Lab.
SkyPixel has solidified its place as the largest online community for aerial enthusiasts and simultaneously announced the launch of its revamped website. The new version 2.0 features a modernized user interface, a streamlined design, and various enhanced functions, including photography tips. The platform is set to incorporate 360-degree photography with virtual reality capabilities later this year.
Experience the new SkyPixel through an introductory video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-2U7KxarR0
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