In july, the international aerial photographer of the year 2026 competition announced 101 outstanding works, selected by judges from 1,587 entries submitted from around the world.

Bangladeshi photographer Azim Khan Ronnie, currently residing in France, was awarded the title of aerial photographer of the year for his collection of four works. These ranged from serene boating scenes in Switzerland to a vibrant "red chili carpet" drying in Bogura, Bangladesh, showcasing the diverse landscapes and daily life captured from an aerial perspective.

A rowing team on lake Zurich, Switzerland, one of the four works that earned Azim Khan Ronnie the title of aerial photographer of the year.

Another work by Azim Khan Ronnie captures the Rakher Upobash ceremony of the Hindu community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Devotees fast, pray, and light incense to honor the renowned guru Baba Lokenath.

Thousands of Siberian seagulls feeding at Yamuna Ghat, Delhi, India, during their annual migration, viewed from above. This work is part of Azim Khan Ronnie's collection.

The judges lauded the winning entries for their impactful composition, noting the patience required by photographers to await the perfect moment of light and scene arrangement.

"It is these fleeting moments that create the allure of aerial photography", the organizers stated.

The "aerial photo of the year" title was awarded to Russian photographer Vitaly Golovatyuk for his image of a solitary bird on a lake in Dongtai, China, captured in 11/2025. The still lake surface reflects the sky, creating the illusion that the bird is suspended in mid-air.

Wari pilgrims form a circle around a palanquin (palkhi) during the annual pilgrimage in Maharashtra state, India. This work by photographer Sanghamitra Sarkar secured second place in the "aerial photo of the year 2026" category.

Photographer Kah-Wai Lin captured a herd of Yılkı wild horses galloping across the Cappadocia plateau, Turkey, at sunset. This piece won third place in the "aerial photo of the year 2026" category.

Australian photographer Barbara Brown earned third place in the "aerial photographer of the year" category for her series of images highlighting the shapes and colors of landscapes from above. One of Brown's notable works, "Pendant", depicts a salt field in Walvis Bay, Namibia. To create this, she flew in a doorless helicopter at an altitude of approximately 600 meters for 4 hours, documenting sand dunes, salt fields, and residential areas from an aerial perspective.

The international aerial photography awards recognize works captured from above using drones, airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, and other flying vehicles. The competition, founded by two Australian photographers, Peter Eastway and David Evans, was first held in 2025 to celebrate the art of storytelling and unique perspectives from the sky.

Mai Phuong (according to SMH, Internationalaerialphotographer)