Home / updates

Breathtaking drone photos reveal the stunning beauty of Earth from above

Amelia Brooks | March 22, 2026

ELEVATED sky-based angles of the world below are showcased in surreal drone pictures in a global aerial photography contest.

SkyPixel, an aerial photo and video-sharing platform, had a tough time picking out the top drone shots from thousands of entries, which show “the world is a storybook of unrivalled diversity”.

Renowned for its gravity-defying medieval monastery, the magical island of Mont-Saint-Michel in France looks even more mesmerising thanks to this shot, by Deryk Baumgartner, which was the grand prize winner. With its picturesque abbey towering above ramparts near the coasts of Normandy and Brittany, it’s no wonder that people said it ‘looks like a Terry Pratchett world’ or ‘Minas Tirith’ from J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle-earth — Renowned for its gravity-defying medieval monastery, the magical island of Mont-Saint-Michel in France looks even more mesmerising thanks to this shot, by Deryk Baumgartner, which was the grand prize winner. With its picturesque abbey towering above ramparts near the coasts of Normandy and Brittany, it’s no wonder that people said it ‘looks like a Terry Pratchett world’ or ‘Minas Tirith’ from J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle-earthCredit: Deryk Baumgärtner / SKYPIXEL

This picture of a red train travelling through snowy mountains won the people's choice category and was snapped at the Landwasserviadukt in Switzerland — This picture of a red train travelling through snowy mountains won the people's choice category and was snapped at the Landwasserviadukt in SwitzerlandCredit: sebastianmzh / SKYPIXEL

Martin Sanchez’s picture, dubbed ‘Hungry Hippos’, won the nature category. He said ‘There’s no party like a hippo party! An incredible visual to see and such a unique perspective. Truly honoured to have this moment in time’ — Martin Sanchez’s picture, dubbed ‘Hungry Hippos’, won the nature category. He said ‘There’s no party like a hippo party! An incredible visual to see and such a unique perspective. Truly honoured to have this moment in time’Credit: Martin Sanchez / SKYPIXEL

The National Library of Kosovo has been described as ‘looking like a giant prison’ because it is covered in a lattice of fence-like metal. But viewers of this aerial shot thought it was ‘mind-blowing’ because of the aerial view – which makes it look an entirely different building. Agon Nimani's entry was nominated for an award — The National Library of Kosovo has been described as ‘looking like a giant prison’ because it is covered in a lattice of fence-like metal. But viewers of this aerial shot thought it was ‘mind-blowing’ because of the aerial view – which makes it look an entirely different building. Agon Nimani's entry was nominated for an awardCredit: Agon Nimani / SKYPIXEL

Summer vs winter is depicted by photographer Michal Sadowski. He says: ‘A perfect mountain road shot twice during summer and winter – same place, different seasons. It took a lot of effort to shoot this photo. Two photos, shot 8 months apart, perfectly aligned.’ It won a people's choice prize — Summer vs winter is depicted by photographer Michal Sadowski. He says: ‘A perfect mountain road shot twice during summer and winter – same place, different seasons. It took a lot of effort to shoot this photo. Two photos, shot 8 months apart, perfectly aligned.’ It won a people's choice prizeCredit: Michal Sadowski / SKYPIXEL

Kyiv’s statue of the Motherland in Ukraine is a Second World War memorial which is 334.6ft (102m) high. The towering figure – holding a sword and a shield aloft – is made of chrome, nickel and steel, and weighs about 450 tons. Photographer Ristenko Segiy said it showed ‘epic light and fog in autumn'. It also won a people's choice prize — Kyiv’s statue of the Motherland in Ukraine is a Second World War memorial which is 334.6ft (102m) high. The towering figure – holding a sword and a shield aloft – is made of chrome, nickel and steel, and weighs about 450 tons. Photographer Ristenko Segiy said it showed ‘epic light and fog in autumn'. It also won a people's choice prizeCredit: Ristenko Segiy / SKYPIXEL

Witold Ziomek’s picture of a sunrise in Bagan, Myanmar, scooped 2nd prize in the architecture category — Witold Ziomek’s picture of a sunrise in Bagan, Myanmar, scooped 2nd prize in the architecture categoryCredit: Witold Ziomek / SKYPIXEL

Li Zhenglin Dawood’s people's choice prizewinning drone picture of ‘various birds and trees in Huanglongtan’ was praised as ‘soulful’ as people enjoyed the ‘lovely contrasts’ and ‘beautiful colour palette’ — Li Zhenglin Dawood’s people's choice prizewinning drone picture of ‘various birds and trees in Huanglongtan’ was praised as ‘soulful’ as people enjoyed the ‘lovely contrasts’ and ‘beautiful colour palette’Credit: Dawood/ SKYPIXEL

Third prize winner in the fun category: This unique shot, capturing geese during feeding time is simply described as ‘goose field petals’ by snapper Qiu Huining — Third prize winner in the fun category: This unique shot, capturing geese during feeding time is simply described as ‘goose field petals’ by snapper Qiu HuiningCredit: 邱会宁 / SKYPIXEL

Women are washing gorgeous flowers, and gathering them into a bundle to bring to market. Shot from above, Khanh Phan's fun category prizewinning photo ‘captures the beautiful simplicity of a serene river scene’, says SkyPixel — Women are washing gorgeous flowers, and gathering them into a bundle to bring to market. Shot from above, Khanh Phan's fun category prizewinning photo ‘captures the beautiful simplicity of a serene river scene’, says SkyPixelCredit: Khánh Phan / SKYPIXEL

The People's choice prize was snapped by Mauro Pagliai, who said it showed the 'Coliseum, the moon, Sirio and Rome — The People's choice prize was snapped by Mauro Pagliai, who said it showed the 'Coliseum, the moon, Sirio and RomeCredit: Mauro Pagliai / SKYPIXEL

First prize winner in the sport category was this 'running through the sand dunes' shot, by Trung Pham. One person commented that it 'almost looks like skin'. The photographer said, 'the kids were doing exercise by running through the sand dunes nearby their home in Phan Rang, Vietnam, early in the morning' — First prize winner in the sport category was this 'running through the sand dunes' shot, by Trung Pham. One person commented that it 'almost looks like skin'. The photographer said, 'the kids were doing exercise by running through the sand dunes nearby their home in Phan Rang, Vietnam, early in the morning'Credit: Trung Pham / SKYPIXEL

'Throwing it to the Moon' won third prize in the sport category for Taavi Purtsak. The image shows Estonian hammer throw champion Kati Ojaloo 'throwing it to the moon' — 'Throwing it to the Moon' won third prize in the sport category for Taavi Purtsak. The image shows Estonian hammer throw champion Kati Ojaloo 'throwing it to the moon'Credit: Taavi Purtsak / SKYPIXEL

Nominated entry, 'Wake Up' was taken by Petra Leary, who explained it was taken during sunrise at a harbour in Auckland, New Zealand — Nominated entry, 'Wake Up' was taken by Petra Leary, who explained it was taken during sunrise at a harbour in Auckland, New ZealandCredit: Petra Leary / SKYPIXEL

Zhen Zhen's picture of Macau's iconic Grand Lisboa Hotel was called 'impressive - better than a [plain] concrete skyscraper' and 'the beginning of Gotham City'. It collected 3rd prize in the architecture category — Zhen Zhen's picture of Macau's iconic Grand Lisboa Hotel was called 'impressive - better than a [plain] concrete skyscraper' and 'the beginning of Gotham City'. It collected 3rd prize in the architecture categoryCredit: 吖震 / SKYPIXEL

In the nature category, 'Nature Engraving' picked up 3rd prize for photographer Wang Hanbing, who said, 'Snow in the Taklimakan Desert in winter forms a rare ice and snow texture on the desert lake. From a height of 400m, the ice pattern is like a huge footprint, like the footprints of aliens visiting the earth' — In the nature category, 'Nature Engraving' picked up 3rd prize for photographer Wang Hanbing, who said, 'Snow in the Taklimakan Desert in winter forms a rare ice and snow texture on the desert lake. From a height of 400m, the ice pattern is like a huge footprint, like the footprints of aliens visiting the earth'Credit: 王汉冰 / SKYPIXEL

Nominated entry 'There is a precise point up there in the sky where the mountains almost seem to pose' was snapped by Andrea Giumelli during sunrise on the Nuvolau group in the Dolomites, Italy — Nominated entry 'There is a precise point up there in the sky where the mountains almost seem to pose' was snapped by Andrea Giumelli during sunrise on the Nuvolau group in the Dolomites, ItalyCredit: Andrea Giumelli / SKYPIXEL

Second prize winner in the fun category is Tuan Nguyen's image of 'Burden Salt Harvest', showing workers carrying salt to the warehouse. They work from 3am to 7am, then return from 1pm to 6pm each day. The Hon Khoi salt field is the largest salt field in Vietnam — Second prize winner in the fun category is Tuan Nguyen's image of 'Burden Salt Harvest', showing workers carrying salt to the warehouse. They work from 3am to 7am, then return from 1pm to 6pm each day. The Hon Khoi salt field is the largest salt field in VietnamCredit: TuấnNguyễn / SKYPIXEL

Nominated entry, 'Two', is a stunning wedding picture taken by Baltskars - the location of which hasn't been mentioned — Nominated entry, 'Two', is a stunning wedding picture taken by Baltskars - the location of which hasn't been mentionedCredit: Baltskars / SKYPIXEL

'Not a small Hong Kong island' picked up first prize in the architecture category for Panvelvet. But some commented they found it 'trippy' and 'mind-bending' — 'Not a small Hong Kong island' picked up first prize in the architecture category for Panvelvet. But some commented they found it 'trippy' and 'mind-bending'Credit: Panvelvet / SKYPIXEL

Mathis Dumas's 'Summit for the team, Mont Blanc' was a nominated entry. He said 'some of the most famous skiers in the world were all together on the summit' — Mathis Dumas's 'Summit for the team, Mont Blanc' was a nominated entry. He said 'some of the most famous skiers in the world were all together on the summit'Credit: Mathis Dumas / SKYPIXEL

People's choice prize, 'Lofoten', above, was taken to depict changeable weather on Lofoten Island. The snapper said, 'the photograph was taken in one of the archipelago's villages called Henningsville, which has a population of only 500. The villagers basically rely on fishing for a living. But in such a harsh environment, such a remote village and town can still have such a beautiful and beautiful football field, enough to see the villagers' love for football and the local government's support for the football sport' — People's choice prize, 'Lofoten', above, was taken to depict changeable weather on Lofoten Island. The snapper said, 'the photograph was taken in one of the archipelago's villages called Henningsville, which has a population of only 500. The villagers basically rely on fishing for a living. But in such a harsh environment, such a remote village and town can still have such a beautiful and beautiful football field, enough to see the villagers' love for football and the local government's support for the football sport'Credit: 圆猪笔 / SKYPIXEL

Another people's choice prize went to this shot here, by Li Wei, titled 'Until Unknown' as it shows a 'bridge in the clouds' — Another people's choice prize went to this shot here, by Li Wei, titled 'Until Unknown' as it shows a 'bridge in the clouds'Credit: 李珩 / SKYPIXEL

You Might Also Like

Jon Eicholtz

Gwen Stefani Age, Height, Marriage, Blake Shelton, Net worth, Instagram

Clix: Girlfriend, Family, Setup, Prize Money & Net Worth

This Is How Much “Naked and Afraid” Participants Get Paid