SkyPixel and DJI now seeking the best drone photos of 2018

Think you took the best aerial photo of 2018?

DJI and SkyPixel, an aerial photography community associated with DJI, have launched the 2018-2019 iteration of their annual 2018 SkyPixel Aerial Photo & Video Contest.

The contest is actually two separate contests — one for photography and one for videos. And even if you don’t use DJI gear, you can still enter; there is no restriction on the type or brand of aerial equipment, and participants can submit as many photos or videos as they wish.

The video contest consists of five categories: nature, city, sport, travel and creative. The photo contest consists of four categories: nature, architecture, fun and sport.

But expect the competition to be fierce. Last year’s contest garnered entries from 44,000 drone photographers across 141 different countries. Here’s a complete list of last year’s winners.

So what’s up for grabs if you’re a winner? It’s primarily DJI gear, including a Hasselblad X1D-50c camera, DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone and the new Osmo Pocket three-axis stabilized gimbal. DJI says there will be 49 awards total, valued at $120,000.

In addition, SkyPixel will organize a series of exhibitions at different DJI Flagship Stores in 2019 to showcase the winning pieces.

This year’s judging panel includes Toby Strong, a documentary photographer who has won many Emmy and BAFTA awards, and Ben Nott, one of Australia’s most prestigious directors of photography and an ACS member.

The contest is accepting entries between now and Feb. 18, 2019. Enter here.

And while you’re at it, you may as well enter another drone video contest going on right now: the second annual AirVuz video contest. There’s $10,000 up for grabs, and this is the final weekend to enter; the entry deadline is Dec. 31, 2018.