Aerial photography places familiar places into a completely new perspective. From high above, rivers turn into winding brushstrokes, mountains become textured sculptures, and busy human activity transforms into patterns that would be almost impossible to notice from the ground. The International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest celebrates exactly that kind of perspective. Bringing together images captured from drones, helicopters, airplanes, and other aircraft, the competition highlights photographers who use height not just to document the world, but to reveal its hidden shapes, colors, and stories.
After featuring last year’s contest here on Bored Panda, we’re returning with a new selection from the 2026 edition. This year’s Top 101 collection once again offers a striking look at the planet from above, moving between dramatic natural scenes, abstract landscapes, wildlife encounters, and everyday moments seen from an unexpected angle. For this post, we’ve selected 50 of our favorite images from the collection.
Scroll down to see the best photos, and let us know which view from above caught your eye the most.
More info: internationalaerialphotographer.com | Instagram
#1 “Holding On” By Rhiannon Lawler
Description: “A lone polar bear clings to a drifting iceberg in the icy waters of East Greenland, surrounded by fractured sea ice. The powerful image serves as both a breathtaking wildlife portrait and a reminder of the fragile Arctic environment.”
23points
#2 “Shadow Of Arita” By Daniel Viñé Garcia
Description: “As the sun sets over Argentina's Cono de Arita in the Puna de Atacama, the perfectly shaped volcanic cone casts a striking geometric shadow across the vast salt flat. Warm golden light accentuates the mountain's radial textures, creating a mesmerizing scene of solitude and symmetry.”
20points
#3 “The Eye Of The Apennines” By Valeria Castiello
Description: “Lake Sirente forms a striking eye-like pattern in the heart of Italy's Abruzzo region. Believed by some to have a meteoric origin, this mysterious landscape is made even more captivating from above.”
19points
#4 “Birdie In The Sky” By Vitaly Golovatyuk
Description: “A lone bird rests on the mirror-like surface of a tiny lake, perfectly framed by vivid red vegetation in Dongtai. The aerial perspective transforms the peaceful scene into a stunning reflection of sky and earth.”
17points
#5 “Golden Gate” By Marcin Zając
Description: “Captured at dawn, this remarkable aerial photograph frames the iconic Golden Gate Bridge within its own steel structure and suspension cables. By using the bridge itself as a natural frame, Marcin Zając creates a perfectly balanced composition that highlights both the engineering masterpiece and the breathtaking beauty of San Francisco Bay bathed in the warm light of sunrise.”
15points
#6 “Southern Right Whale” By Neil Vincent
Description: “A rare encounter unfolds in the crystal-clear waters off Budgewoi Beach, where a southern right whale and her calf rest peacefully near the shoreline. Seen from above, the intimate moment highlights the beauty and vulnerability of these magnificent marine giants.”
15points
#7 “Gliding Through Serenity” By Azim Khan Ronnie
Description: “A perfectly synchronized rowing team cuts silently across the mist-covered waters of Lake Zurich, Switzerland. The minimalist aerial composition emphasizes balance, precision, and the peaceful stillness of the lake.”
15points
#8 “Complete Rainbow” By Paolo Lazzarotti
Description: “While photographing the stunning coastline of northeastern Sardinia, Paolo Lazzarotti was unexpectedly caught in a rain shower just as the sun was setting. In that fleeting moment, nature created an extraordinary spectacle: a perfectly circular rainbow surrounding the landscape below. Captured from above, the image transforms a brief weather event into a breathtaking aerial masterpiece, showcasing the beauty that can appear when timing, perspective, and nature align perfectly.”
14points
#9 “Thunder Of Hooves” By Kah-Wai Lin
Description: “As the sun sets over Cappadocia, a magnificent herd of Yılki horses races across the dusty landscape, enveloped in glowing clouds of dust. Raised by local villagers and later released to roam freely, these horses symbolize resilience, freedom, and a centuries-old tradition. Captured from above, the scene resembles a river of fire flowing beneath the fading Anatolian sky, creating a breathtaking blend of movement, light, and timeless beauty.”
14points
#10 “Primordial” By Mark Gray
Description: “This striking abstract aerial photograph captures the vivid colors and unexpected textures of a remote mining landscape in Western Australia's Goldfields region. From above, industrial patterns blend with natural formations, creating a scene that looks more like a painting than a real place on Earth.”
14points
#11 “Harvesting Red Chilies” By Azim Khan Ronnie
Description: “Hundreds of workers spread across a vast field of brilliant red chili peppers under the Bangladeshi sun. The aerial view transforms the harvest into a vibrant tapestry of color, human effort, and agricultural tradition.”
14points
#12 “Lava Cascade” By Gianluca Rubinacci
Description: “Molten lava snakes across Iceland's dark volcanic plains during the final hours of an eruption, glowing brilliantly beneath a fading sunset. The aerial perspective captures the raw power and fleeting beauty of Earth's constantly changing surface.”
13points
#13 “Eye” By Koki Dote
Description: “A circular opening in a frozen lake is surrounded by cracks that radiate outward like veins, creating the uncanny illusion of a giant eye staring from beneath the ice. The minimalist aerial composition is both eerie and beautiful.”
13points
#14 “Rhythm Of The Oars” By Savadmon Avalachamveettil
Description: “Seen from directly above, three traditional snake boats glide across the waters of Punnamada Lake in perfect formation. The synchronized movement of hundreds of rowers transforms teamwork into art, highlighting the precision, tradition, and collective spirit behind one of India's most celebrated boat races.”
12points
#15 “Basking In Divine Light” By Alexandra Moldovan
Description: “Golden rays of sunlight pierce through the morning mist, casting long shadows across the forest canopy. This ethereal aerial photograph transforms an ordinary woodland into a breathtaking scene filled with warmth, symmetry, and tranquility.”
12points
#16 “Tumbling White Horse” By Fabio Pappalettera
Description: “A magnificent white horse rolls joyfully across a dusty field, sending clouds of earth swirling into the air. Seen from directly above, the frozen moment transforms a simple behavior into an elegant work of natural motion.”
12points
#17 “Flame Vein” By Luca Fucci
Description: “Carved by glacial rivers through Iceland's volcanic landscape, this mesmerizing aerial view creates the illusion of glowing lava flowing across the Earth. The striking contrast between dark volcanic sands, vibrant moss, and icy water turns nature into an abstract masterpiece.”
11points
#18 “Steam Eruption” By Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove
Description: “An active Icelandic volcano erupts dramatically as heavy rainfall generates thick clouds of steam around the crater. The fiery lava cutting through the mist creates a breathtaking contrast between the raw power of fire and water.”
11points
#19 “Golden Highlands” By Juan Lopez
Description: “A brilliant turquoise volcanic lake contrasts dramatically with the dark volcanic terrain of Iceland's Highlands. Braided glacial rivers weave intricate paths through the barren landscape, revealing the raw beauty of one of the world's most unique environments.”
11points
#20 “Dead Man Walking” By Jiri Kostal
Description: “What appears at first glance to be an abstract painting is actually a frozen pond seen from above. This creative self-portrait uses ice, cracks, shadows, and natural patterns to transform a simple winter landscape into a surreal work of aerial photography, where a lone figure becomes part of the composition itself.”
10points