SkyPixel Photo Contest Celebrates 10th Year Highlighting Ten Years of Creative Aerial Photography
Title: Ten Years of Aerial Magic: Inside the 2025 SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest
For the last decade, DJI, a pioneer in drone technology, has celebrated the craft of aerial visual storytelling through its yearly SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest. Established to honor the boundless creative possibilities of drones and handheld gadgets, this competition has transformed into one of the most eagerly awaited occasions in the worldwide photography and videography scene.
As the 2025 iteration wraps up, the SkyPixel platform once again functioned as a digital exhibition space for countless visual artists to showcase their most compelling works. The entries not only reflected technical proficiency but also conveyed rich emotional narratives and sharp artistic insight. From dreamlike sceneries to poignant cultural snapshots, the contest illustrates how drones are revolutionizing the visual media landscape.
🏆 Best Photo Award: An Enigmatic Landscape
This year’s prestigious Best Photo Award went to photographer Gangerqia for an otherworldly, mysterious aerial shot titled “Mysterious Realm.” The judges lauded the image for its artistic mystique and compositional finesse, enthralled by its visual allure.
“This aerial photograph captivates beautifully as it nearly deceives you at first glance—making you feel like you’re viewing a drawing rather than an actual scene,” stated Luke Stackpoole, an experienced travel photographer and this year’s contest judge. “The frozen pond shaped like an eye instantly captivates, while the tidy line of bird footprints adds a whimsical sense of movement. It’s elegant, straightforward, and holds a hint of mystery.”
The pared-down color scheme, paired with imaginative use of shapes and negative space, elevates Gangerqia’s work into a piece of art, blurring the lines between photography and illustration.
🎥 Best Video Honorees
SkyPixel’s video segment honored two exceptional filmmakers for their remarkable skills:
– Aerial Category: Bashir Abu Shakra took the 2025 Annual Best Video Award (Aerial) with his moving film, The War — My Transformation Journey. This project employs expansive vistas and symbolic visuals to explore themes of isolation, introspection, and personal growth, earning praise from the judging panel for its narrative richness and cinematic artistry.
– Handheld Category: Henry Yue garnered recognition for Japan Travel Cinematic, an incredibly immersive travel documentary. Fusing adept camera techniques, fluidity, and a vibrant cultural perspective, Yue guides viewers through Japan’s varied splendor. “The sound design and movement in this film were unparalleled,” remarked travel filmmaker and contest judge Sam Newton. “I felt completely drawn in from the moment I pressed play.”
📸 Top 10 Photos: A Display of Aerial Creativity
In addition to the top award, 10 other photographers were celebrated for their outstanding images that highlighted the creativity and variety within drone photography. The selected works encompass natural marvels, human narratives, and abstract attractiveness:
1. “Sailing Through the Ice” by Fadah — A frozen seascape featuring a vessel navigating through ice islands.
2. “Mud Bath Bliss” by AB Gusai — A cheerful portrayal of elephants enjoying earthy play.
3. “Bulgurcu” by Hanifi — A captivating agricultural image showcasing repetitive visual patterns.
4. “对话” by 王 汉冰 — Meaning “Dialogue,” this photograph offers an invitation for quiet reflection.
5. “Guardian of the Ice” by Alexander Valchev — An awe-inspiring shot capturing wildlife amidst a snowy backdrop.
6. “乘浪起舞” by tkaquest — Loosely interpreted as “Dancing with the Waves,” this image radiates kinetic enthusiasm and joy.
7. “畅享 (组图)” by 张波 — A collection called “Enjoyment,” presenting life from a fresh perspective.
8. “Another World” by Joanna Steidle — A landscape with an alien appearance that feels almost extraterrestrial.
9. “Alien Made Symbol” by QB.Pixels — An intriguing pattern in the terrain that appears to be designed by intellect.
10. “水色涟漪，牧歌悠扬” by YUnQqi苏运启 — “Water Ripples and Pastoral Songs” encapsulates serene poetry.
Each of these photographs illustrates how drone photography presents a novel viewpoint—often quite literally—on our understanding of the world.
🌍 An Evolving Creative Space
Hosted on SkyPixel, DJI’s online hub for drone enthusiasts and creative professionals, the SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest has motivated countless artists to explore fresh perspectives. As technology becomes more available, an increasing number of photographers and filmmakers are redefining the boundaries of what aerial imagery can represent.
This year marked ten years of creative achievements for DJI and its users worldwide. With UAVs, stabilizers, and new software innovations progressing, SkyPixel remains a symbol of innovation, urging storytellers to aim higher—both in a figurative and literal sense.
To view all of this year’s winners and discover