The 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year has turned the sky into a global gallery, spotlighting how altitude can transform familiar places into striking visual stories. Now in its second year, the contest drew nearly 1,600 submissions from around the world, with 101 images selected as finalists.
Among the standout works is Marcin Zając's drone view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, which reimagines the landmark from an angle rarely seen at ground level. The competition also celebrates a wide range of aerial perspectives, from aircraft and rooftops to drone-captured scenes.
This year's winning image was created by Azim Khan Ronnie of Bangladesh, whose background in journalism shapes his eye for human-centered moments such as fishing and crop harvesting. His work reflects the contest's broad visual scope, where everyday labor and natural patterns share the frame with architecture, geology, and cultural life.
Finalist images span erupting volcanoes, desert formations, flowing rivers, colorful rainbows, and large-scale gatherings, showing how aerial photography can reveal structure, rhythm, and movement in new ways. The contest's selection highlights the growing creative reach of drone technology and elevated viewpoints in contemporary photography.
As aerial imaging continues to evolve, it may reshape how future audiences see landscapes, communities, and the planet itself.