SkyPixel 10th Annual Photo and Video Contest Enters Final Week, Offering Over $170,000 in Prizes

The clock is ticking for drone enthusiasts and visual storytellers worldwide as the DJI SkyPixel 10th Annual Photo and Video Contest approaches its final submission deadline of February 10, 2025. According to the official press release from DJI SkyPixel, this year’s event offers more categories, a fresh focus on creative storytelling, and prizes valued at more than $170,000.

A Showcase of Creative Excellence

Submissions have been pouring in since November 7, 2024, aligning with the contest’s theme, “Explore Without Limits.” The contest’s judges have noted a surge in artistic storytelling, with dramatic landscapes, cultural scenes, and even sports-focused films illustrating how drone imaging and handheld videography are evolving. Winners will be revealed on March 27, 2025.

Contestants are not just capturing images from above; they are infusing them with emotional depth and narrative flourishes. One notable entry, “Tree of Life,” by photographer Wang Hanbing, features a solitary poplar tree against cloudy skies. Judge Luke Stackpoole praised the work’s symbolic portrayal of resilience, pointing out how the tree’s vibrant color contrasts with the starkness of the cracked earth.

Hanbing’s second piece, “Dialogue,” uses the same tree to create a completely different visual effect. The snow-covered setting and minimal shadow lines invite interpretation. Stackpoole called it a “blend of art and photography,” highlighting its “mysterious and open-ended” composition.

Another attention-grabbing piece is “Icy Circle” by Julia Pylak, photographed in an Icelandic ice cave. The image envelops viewers in a tunnel of ice. Judge Chu Weimin, a 2023 World Press Photo Award winner, underscored the way Pylak’s composition makes viewers feel as if they’ve entered another realm. He pointed to the captivating textures, contrasting color of the subject’s jacket, and the sheer scale of Iceland’s glacial landscapes.

In “Scenes of a Fishing Village,” contributor “Xing She Cong Cong” demonstrates a more experimental technique, stacking thirty continuous shots to simulate long exposure, capturing the tranquil moment when the rising tide submerges fishing nets near Nantangao Village in Fujian. Judge Daniel Kolder praised the resulting dreamlike atmosphere, an effect achieved by the smooth rendering of water.

Several video submissions have also commanded attention. Photographer Kevin Miao’s “Mysterious Altay” overlays subtle color grading with tranquil pacing, conveying the morning mist at Kanas River in Xinjiang. For those blending aerial and ground perspectives, “The City on the Ruins of Angkor Wat” by “KM-DC” offers a rich tapestry of Siem Reap life. Advertising Photography Director Pan Tianhong appreciated how the color tones and animated transitions brought out a “vibrant small-town scenery and profound human history.” Meanwhile, “Flight Mode” by filmmaker David Karg used DJI Ronin ground-based shots for 80% of the footage, capturing fast-paced mountain biking in forest trails. Judge Jin Chenyu called the final product “highly difficult and well-executed.”

From Capturing to Creating: A Decade of Aerial Progress

SkyPixel, launched by DJI in 2015, has spent ten years showcasing how drone photography has shifted from simple vantage-point shots to full-fledged creative expressions. Early aerial shooters were eager to exploit the new high-angle perspective, once limited to towering climbs or helicopter charters. Over time, artists experimented with composition, light, and technique, extending beyond scenic postcards to produce artful, story-driven visuals.

Today, “creative aerial photography” integrates color theory, textures, and narrative concepts far more deeply than before. Photographers and cinematographers intentionally craft layered imagery, referencing everything from traditional painting to hyper-modern editing styles. This evolution has also made the storytelling approach more cinematic, as many participants pair their drone footage with ground-based sequences that fill in the narrative gaps.

Handheld Video Category Highlights Expanding Horizons

For this 10th anniversary, DJI expanded the contest beyond strictly aerial footage. While aerial categories remain pivotal—drone shots must constitute at least 50% of any piece in the Aerial Video category—new ground-based content is now recognized under the Handheld Video category. Entrants in the Handheld Video competition must feature at least 30 seconds of DJI-produced footage, but they’re free to incorporate as much creative ground perspective as they wish, providing an entirely new dimension to the event.

Judges, including cinematographer Jin Chenyu, see this addition as a natural evolution. Technological refinements in stabilizers, such as the DJI Ronin lineup, have enabled ground shots to match the production quality of aerial footage. This broadens the scope for creative storytelling and encourages drone pilots and camera operators to think holistically about their visual narratives.

Contest Details and Submissions

Organized by SkyPixel, DJI’s aerial photography and imaging social platform, the contest offers 83 awards, reflecting the broad range of technical and artistic talent expected each year. The top honors—Annual Best Photo, Annual Best Aerial Video, and Annual Best Handheld Video—carry substantial prize packages. The highest-performing photographer can earn a Hasselblad X2D 100C kit valued at over $14,000, while the winner for Aerial Video will claim a DJI Inspire 3 kit worth more than $20,000. Handheld Video’s top creator will receive a DJI Ronin 4D-8K kit, valued above $15,000.

Submissions remain open until February 10, 2025 (23:59 UTC+8). Even those who don’t land the top spots can benefit from smaller prizes—ranging from DJI credit to new gear like the Mavic 3 Pro and Osmo Pocket 3. All entrants also receive DJI credits redeemable at store.dji.com. Full guidelines and entry instructions can be found on the SkyPixel 10th Anniversary Photo and Video Contest official site.

DroneXL’s Take

The SkyPixel 10th Annual Photo and Video Contest exemplifies how drone technology and creative storytelling have developed in tandem. Submissions indicate that participants are pushing the boundaries of perspective and visual technique. Including a specialized Handheld Video category underscores a future where aerial footage and ground shots coexist fluidly in professional-grade productions.

For drone professionals, competitions like SkyPixel foster technology growth and spark new trends in cinematography. They not only inspire pilots to innovate with framing and post-processing but also encourage synergy between aerial platforms and handheld solutions. As contest organizers wrap up entries this week, the imaginative submissions seen so far offer a preview of the next decade of drone-based imaging.

Winners and finalists will be announced on March 27, providing a closer look at how the drone world is shaping contemporary visual culture. Whether you’re a seasoned aerial cinematographer or a newcomer discovering new ways to express your creativity, this annual event confirms that drones are more than flying cameras—they’re catalysts for innovation, artistry, and storytelling on a global scale.