The 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition has unveiled its winners, presenting a collection of breathtaking images that offer unique perspectives from around the world. This prestigious event, now in its second year, attracted nearly 1,600 entries from photographers eager to capture the beauty and complexity of our planet from above.
The Ronnie’s winning portfolio includes four striking images that showcase his ability to transform familiar scenes into something entirely new. His work spans diverse locations, from the serene waters of Lake Zurich to the vibrant chaos of Yamuna Ghat in Delhi, the geometric patterns of chili fields in Bogura, and the sacred rituals of Rakher Upobash in Dhaka.
Azim Khan Ronnie: A Journalist’s Eye from the Sky
Azim Khan Ronnie brings a wealth of experience to his aerial photography, with nearly two decades as a working journalist and 11 years behind the camera. His documentary and travel photography background shines through in his ability to capture the essence of human activities and natural landscapes from a bird’s-eye view.
Ronnie’s preferred equipment includes the DJI Mavic 4 Pro and the DJI Mavic 3 Classic which he uses to reveal scale, patterns, and perspectives that are impossible to capture from the ground. He shoots exclusively in RAW to preserve the maximum amount of image data, allowing for greater flexibility during post-processing while maintaining image quality.
When it comes to post-processing, Ronnie’s philosophy is one of enhancement rather than manipulation. He uses Adobe Photoshop for all his post-production work, focusing on RAW processing, exposure adjustments, color refinement, and selective local adjustments. His goal is to accurately reflect the atmosphere, light, and emotion he experienced when capturing the image.
The Single Image Prize: Vitaly Golovatyuk’s Stunning Capture
The Photograph of the Year, awarded to the best single image, went to Vitaly Golovatyuk from Russia. Golovatyuk, a cinematographer and photographer with over 15 years of experience, captured his winning shot at Elk Park near Dongtai City in China in November 2026. The image features a bird on a small lake surrounded by red grass, with the sky’s reflection creating the illusion that the bird is floating in mid-air.
Golovatyuk’s approach to photography prioritizes capturing the ‘money shot’ in-camera, treating editing as a supplementary step rather than a crutch. His work exemplifies the power of aerial photography to reveal the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Special Subject Awards: Diverse Perspectives from Around the Globe
In addition to the main prizes, four special subject awards were presented to photographers who captured exceptional images in specific categories. Chengming Liu from the USA won the Above Mountain award, while Aleksandra Wilk from Germany took home the Above Snow prize. Savadmon Avalachamveettil from Ireland was recognized for his Above Water image, and A.J. Rich from the USA received the Chairman’s Choice Award.
These categories rotate each year to keep the competition fresh and engaging for entrants, judges, and the audience. The diversity of subjects and perspectives showcased in these awards highlights the incredible range of possibilities that aerial photography offers.
The 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition was founded by Peter Eastway and David Evans, who also established the International Landscape Photographer of the Year. This year’s 1,587 entries were narrowed down to a Top 101, from which the winners were selected. The entire gallery of Top 101 images is available as a free eBook on the contest website, offering a stunning visual journey around the world.
