Slideshow: Winners for SkyPixel's 2020 Aerial Storytelling Contest -

Winners for SkyPixel’s 2020 Aerial Storytelling Contest

Founded in 2014, SkyPixel currently boasts over six million members in its aerial photography and videography community. Partnering with DJI, the platform announced a call for entries this past December for its 6th annual Aerial Storytelling Contest. Earlier this morning, they announced the winners and finalists for their photography and videography categories.

Over 26,000 submissions were received from 136 countries for categories including travel, sports, nature, architecture, and portrait. Ellis Van Jason won the video category for his FPV shots taken on the island of Madiera. 25-year-old Maui-based photographer Karim Iliya won the photography award for his top-down photo of a tail fin whale launching himself out of the water.

‘Humpback whales breach for a variety of reasons including communication, fighting, barnacle and parasite removal, waking up, playing and more,’ said Iliya of his winning photo. ‘For humpback whale calves like this one, playing is an important way to build muscles and prepare for the long journey to Antarctica.’

To view all the winning and finalist submissions, selected by award-winning judges such as Toby Strong and Chris Schmid, visit SkyPixel’s awards site.

Annual Award: ‘Humpback Breach’ by Karim Iliya

Artist Statement: Humpback whales breach for a variety of reasons including communication, fighting, barnacle and parasite removal, waking up, playing and more. For humpback whales calves like this one, playing is an important way to build muscles and prepare for the long journey to Antarctica.

First Prize: ‘Number 9’ by superego

Artist Statement: Not available.

First Prize: ‘Colour Series – Bulls Eye’ by Ilanna Emily

Artist Statement: Skateboarder doing a power slide from above.

First Prize: ‘Where the Muddy River Meets the Ocean’ by Joao Galamba

Artist Statement: The first rains of the year make the rivers start flowing again, bringing to the ocean the mud and trash from the mountains. The water is then clear separated in two: the brownish muddy river water and the deep blue ocean water. The fishes are attracted and get closer to the shore. And where there is fish, there are fishermen.

Second Prize: ‘Crossline’ by Andrii Chuiashenko

Artist Statement: Not available.

Second Prize: ‘Winter Soldiers’ by Rafid007

Artist Statement: Bangladesh is a country with six seasons which are vastly different from the other. Winter is one of such season. During winter, The temperature remains between 10°C to 12°C in many places, especially in the country-side where there is not much urbanization or human population.

Because of this, winter comes in different colors in Bangladesh. The fresh produce markets in rural areas get filled with colorful vegetables. Here you can see farmers holding their harvests.