EYE IN THE SKY

The winners of this year’s Drone Photo Awards are at the height of their game

THE best pictures make viewers look at things from a different angle and with the help of drones photographers are now able to take their craft to even greater heights.

Now in its fifth year, the annual Drone Photo Awards celebrate this intersection of artistry and technology. This year’s contest drew entries from 2 624 aerial photographers from 116 countries across nine categories.

French photographer Armand Sarlangue’s electrifying shot took top prize. Titled Big Bang, it looks into the heart of a fiery fissure of Iceland’s erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano during a raging storm. “Due to the difficult conditions, a drone capture like this is unique,” he notes.

And for this reason alone, the judges decided his photo deserved top honours.

PERFECT CHAOS By Sara Zanini This breathtaking shot offers an early morning bird’s-eye view of Gangi, an Italian village in the Sicilian countryside. It earned a special commendation in the urban category.