The 14th-century church tower in Italy serves as a reminder of the submerged community of Curon Venosta. The whole community was submerged in 1950 following the construction of a dam, leading to the creation of the artificial basin known as Lake Resia. Today, just the church tower survives.
2. “Must Resist” by Or Adar. Photo of the Year.
Aerial view of demonstrators waving banners during a rally against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's court overhaul proposals in Tel Aviv.
“Beach Bliss” by Simon Heather. 1st Place, People.
Sunbathers bring their brightest towels, swimwear, and umbrellas to the beaches of Cascais, forming a stunning, brilliant wallpaper when viewed from above.
4. “Highline” by David Machet. 1st Place, Sport.
In January 2021, despite the extreme cold, famous tightrope walker Nathan Paulin successfully walked a 200m long and 2.5cm wide "highline" at "Pointe d'Areu" in the Aravis range, at an elevation of 2460 meters. To pull out this astounding feat, a crew of six people worked tirelessly for three days.
5. “The Exhausted Lungs of Earth” by Ignacio Medem. 1st Place, Abstract.
The Colorado River basin, a vital ecosystem, is facing a critical point of collapse due to poor management and prolonged drought, with intricate water patterns depleted and threatening to collapse, resembling the earth's lungs.
6. “Thrown” by Daniel Franc. Highly Commended, Sport.
“We find ourselves thrust into this world, with its inherent frustrations, sufferings, and demands that were not of our own choosing, but also with its joys and goodness… and we navigate its unpredictable waves. The mere fact of our existence is a testament to this sense of being thrown into the world, much like the surfer depicted here.”
7. “Boon to Bane! The 300 acres of dumpyard” by Raj Mohan. Runner-up, Nature.
Pallikaranai, an Indian wetland, is facing severe pollution due to daily dumping of 3500 tonnes of garbage, contaminating around 300 acres. This growing issue is causing the wetland's rapid shrinkage, highlighting the urgent need for urgent action.
8. “Hunting together” by Pham Huy Trung. Highly Commended, Wildlife.
A Bryde's whale mother's migratory journey took her to De Gi Bay in central Vietnam, where she remained for a few weeks. Here, she gave birth in this spot and taught her baby whale how to hunt in the serene oceanic environment rich in tiny fish.
9. "Playground” by Sebastian Piórek. 1st Place, Urban.
A playground full of joy located deep in the south of Poland reveals its splendor with the first glimpse of sunlight from above.
10. “Austfonna Ice Cap” by Thomas Vijayan. 1st Place, Nature.
Austfonna, Norway's third-largest ice cap, is melting rapidly due to global warming, causing rising sea levels. The photographer visited the ice cap and captured a stunning waterfall.
11. “Nowruz Kurdistan” by Omid Heydarifar. Runner-up, People.
The people of Iranian Kurdistan celebrate Nowruz, a cherished tradition of a bonfire and dancing around the new year.
12. “Swim in the stars” by Krzysztof Krawczyk. 1st Place, Wedding.
From this vantage point, hundreds of dried leaves sparkle like stars under the thick clouds, as soft waves ripple below. The bride and groom find themselves on a boat decked with lovely flowers, providing a really romantic setting.
13. “Foodscapes” by George Steinmetz. 1st Place, Series.
“FOODSCAPES is an aerial component of my Feed the Planet project, which aims to comprehensively explore the global food supply and address the increasing challenge of feeding the growing human population, projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, without further encroaching on natural lands. Gaining a deeper understanding of food production and its environmental impacts is crucial for making informed decisions. To accomplish this, I utilize professional drones to capture elevated perspectives, as they offer the most effective means of showcasing the immense scale required to sustain the entire human population.”
14. “Sleeping Giant” by Dhanu Paran. 1st Place, Wildlife.
This elephant rests on its side, its huge body taking up a large section of the frame.
