Whether it’s lava carving through frozen terrain or sharks gliding through shimmering shoals in turquoise seas, seeing nature from above reveals a stunning new perspective on our planet’s landscapes and wildlife.
The first winner was announced as professional drone pilot and artist Joanna Steidle – her stunning drone views of marine life from above wowed the judges with their drama and beauty. You can see this stunning image below, alongside our favourite images from the competition.
The plane! The plane! - David Mierowsky
The shadow of a plane appears over the vivid colours of Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia. Photo by David Mierowsky/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Flamingos and Pelicans - David Swindler
Pelicans wading through a sea of flamingoes. Photo by David Swindler/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Smoking skull - Daniel Viñé Garcia
Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano is photographed as it cools. The cracking pattern of the lava formed a skull, creating an eerie natural illusion for a few moments. Photo by Daniel Viñé Garcia/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Elephants of the Flo - Murray Evans
A herd of elephants on the Busanga plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Photo by Murray Evans/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Austfonna Ice Cap - Thomas Vijayan
An aerial view of the Bråsvellbreen glacier, part of the Austfonna Ice Cap in Svalbard, Norway. Photo by Thomas Vijayan/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Laguna Hedionda - Ignacio Palacios
The Laguna Hedionda, Bolivia, is notable for its various species of flamingoes, like those that can just be made out in this aerial image. Photo by Ignacio Palacios/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Salt Works IV The Eye - Daniela Tommasi
A drone view of a salt extraction operation, Coral Coast region of Western Australia. Daniela Tommasi/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
On 19 September 2021, the Tajogaite volcano (Montaña Rajada) erupted on La Palma, Spain. Intense volcanic activity buried thousands of homes. Photo by Javier Garcia/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
An aerial view of alumina mine tailings dam near Collie, Western Australia. Photo by Colin Leonhardt/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Tidal Flora - Peter Harrison
The Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Marine Park in the Northern Territory, Australia, is shaped by huge tides ebbing and flooding across shallow, muddy tidal flats. Photo by Peter Harrison/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Reclaim - Ael Kermare
An aerial image showing the power of volcanoes, as lava envelops an icy road in Iceland. This was taken as Iceland experienced its 6th volcanic eruption in less than 3 years. The speed of the lava flows shows the brutal way this powerful act of nature claims its rights. Photo by Ael Kermare/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
The hot springs, geysers and bubbling mud pots of Yellowstone National Park, USA, fascinate with their variety of colours. Photo by Daniel Reiter/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Eternal Harmony - Rositsa Dimitrova
The beauty of the rugged landscape and the rivers of Iceland are very much evident in this stunning aerial view. Photo by Rositsa Dimitrova/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Martian Sunrise - Taylor Duncan
This image of the Bentonite hills of Utah, USA, reveals a Martian-like landscape sculpted by time and water. Photo by Taylor Duncan/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
International Aerial Photograph of the Year - Ignacio Palacios
Anti crepuscular rays at Cono de Arita, La Puna, Argentina. These rays are an atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as beams of light converging towards a point opposite the sun in the sky. Photo by Ignacio Palacios/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
International Aerial Photographer of the Year Winner - Joanna Steidle
An aerial drone photo of a spinner shark creating a gateway into a school of menhaden fish in the Atlantic Ocean, Southampton, New York, USA. Photo by Joanna Steidle/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the YearA humpback whale dives back under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean after taking a breath of air. This image was taken off the coast in Southampton, New York, USA. Photo by Joanna Steidle/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the YearA drone image of a small fever of cownose rays stirring up some sand along their travels. Southampton, New York, USA. Photo by Joanna Steidle/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Lily is the picture researcher across BBC Science Focus, BBC Countryfile and BBC Wildlife. She holds a degree in Photojournalism, where she specialised in social documentary reportage. Her photographic work has been shortlisted for the BarTur Photo Award’s Unity in Diversity category and exhibited internationally as part of the Urban Photo Awards. Before joining the team she worked as a fully trained product specialist in major camera brands whilst working on freelance projects.
James Cutmore is the picture editor of BBC Science Focus Magazine. He has worked on the magazine and website for over a decade, telling compelling science stories through the use of striking imagery. He holds a degree in Fine Art, and has been nominated for the British Society of Magazine Editors Talent Awards, being highly commended in 2020. His main areas of interest include photography that highlights positive technology and the natural world. For many years he was a judge for the Wellcome Trust's image competition, as well as judging for the Royal Photographic Society.
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