46. Lovers On The Field
Possible Drone Used: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Where to Buy: DJI Drones
Cost: $1,449*
Krzysztof Krawcyzk was the photographer behind “Lovers in a Field,” which featured a newlywed couple, lying in the middle of the field, still wearing their tuxedo and white dress. The photographer said that he was “looking for some abstraction.” He and his subjects had a “boat, drone, and a lot of time.”
Lovers On The Field ©Krzysztof Krawczyk/commons.wikimedia.org
Krawcyzk said that the weather conditions included strong winds, and that was able to create the “deer eye/eye of the tiger” effect that is seen in the photo. One of the best wind resistant drones, which you’d need to successfully create a photo like this, is the DJI Mavic Pro 2, which has a wind resistance of 24MPH.
47. Lotus Temple
Possible Drone Used: DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2
Where to Buy: DJI Drones
Cost: $1,599*
Described by one publication as one of the best aerial photographs ever taken, the Lotus Temple Photograph is stunning and nearly ethereal. The photographer’s subject is the Lotus Temple, which is a Baha’i House of Worship located in Delhi, India. Many photographers have traveled far to take a picture of the temple, which is designed in the shape of a lotus blossom.
Lotus Temple @r/Dimension20 / Reddit.com
Though pictures abound, very few aerial drone photos, especially with the unique lighting of this one, exist. The Lotus Temple Photograph might have been taken by a drone like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2, which can reach the high altitudes necessary for this landscape shot.
48. Tree Lion
Possible Drone Used: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Where to Buy: DJI Drones
Cost: $1,449*
Shot on a high-definition embedded drone by researchers in Uganda, this impressive shot documents the rare instance of a local lion finding rest (or possibly protection) high up in a tree. It took photographer Alexander Braczkowski months to get the lions used to the drones before they would reveal their true natural states to the lens.
Tree Lion @Guardian / Twitter.com
This odd behavior – indicative so far only to these African lions – suggests to researchers that these legendary felines have been forced to forage further and further from their normal hunting methods in search of food. Still, this shot is impressive as it reveals the beautiful big cat in all its glory.
49. Rainbow Mountains
Possible Drone Used: Ryze Tech Tello Quadcopter
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $99*
Photographs of the “Rainbow Mountains” in China swept social media in 2016, and people were in awe at the beautiful, otherworldly colors that rippled through Zhangye. M. Scheja took this aerial photo of part of the mountain range. The possible drone used for this photo could have been the Ryze Tech Tello Quadcopter, which is suited for outdoor photography such as this.
Rainbow Mountains ©M. Scheja / Shutterstock
So, what makes these mountains so colorful? The Rainbow Mountains colors are all-natural. The mountains themselves are made of cretaceous siltstones and sandstones. The iron and trace mineral deposits in the stones, deposited before the Mountains even formed, cause the brilliant colors seen in this photo.
50. Crocodiles
Possible Drone Used: PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard
Where to Buy: Amazon
Cost: $1,132*
With five-star ratings across the board, the PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard has gained a lot of fans in the droning world. While some photographers are rightly hesitant to purchase it because of its smaller sensor, it’s still a very capable little machine – especially in good light.
@abstractaerialart/Instagram
This drone has 4K/6pfs UHD, and it also has AI face recognition (though that probably wouldn’t have helped it with the crocodiles). The drone can fly in 20-knot wind resistance, though crocodiles don’t usually live in windy areas. The PowerEgg is one of the most well-liked small drones on the market.
This drone can be purchased on Amazon for around $1,130 dollars. It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s not the most expensive one on the market, either. Use it right and you could be snapping photos of alligators in no time – just make sure they don’t snap back at you first.
51. Football Fans in Greece
Possible Drone Used: DJI Mavic Air
Where to Buy: DJI Drones
Cost: $799*
Ververidis Vasilis took this beautiful, dramatic aerial photograph of soccer fans watching a game in Greece. The smoke circling around the brightly-lit field gives this photo an almost ethereal look. Football (AKA soccer, if you’re American) is one of the most popular sports in Europe.
Football Fans in Greece ©Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock
Now, with the coronavirus pandemic, shots like these, featuring thousands of fans, are a memory that we hope will become a reality again. Though the drone used is not listed, a drone that would have been great to take such a high-altitude, dramatic nighttime photo is the DJI Mavic Air, which will cost about $799—but, if you’re looking to get into professional photography, it’s worth it.
52. Atlantic Road, Norway
Possible Drone Used: DJI Mini 2
Where to Buy: DJI Drones
Cost: $449*
Dmitry Tkachenko took this photo of Atlantic Road in Norway. This aerial shot is a beautiful glimpse at what is just another ordinary day of traveling for so many. Atlantic Road (AKA, the Atlantic Ocean Road) is a 5-mile stretch of County Road 64. It runs through the Averoy and Hustadvika municipalities, including an archipelago in More og Romsdal.
Atlantic Road, Norway ©Dmitry Tkachenko Photo / Shutterstock
Constructed in July 1989, Atlantic Road has held up through some wild weather, including hurricane after hurricane and below-freezing temperatures. A drone that may have been used to capture this panoramic view is the DJI Mini 2, another specialty from DJI Drones that operates well, even in frigid Northern European weather.
53. Shipping Containers
Possible Drone Used: Contixo F18 RC Outdoor Quad Camera
Where to Buy: Amazon
Cost: $169.99*
Avigator Thailand took this photo of shipping containers, waiting to be loaded onto a ship. The aerial photograph makes these containers look like small, colorful blocks, giving an otherwise-dull subject a colorful, bright new look. This photograph was possibly taken by a drone like the Contixo F18 RC Outdoor Quad Camera, which is well-suited to outdoor photography.
Shipping Containers © Avigator Fortuner / Shutterstock
This photograph might be uniquely beautiful, but, in reality, it is one of millions. The shipping industry in Thailand consists of millions of workers transporting billions of packages. Last year alone, the shipping industry grossed $8.78 billion in profits. The Thai Laem Chabang port is the twentieth-largest port in the world.
54. Surfer Captured by Drone
Possible Drone Used: Swellpro Spry
Where to Buy: Wellbots
Cost: $899*
Dmitry Pustovalov took this incredible snapshot of a surfer surfing on azure waves. The drone used to take this award-winning photograph is unknown, but it likely was one like the Swellpro Spry. Any of the Swellpro drones could have been used to take this photograph, as the photographer needs a waterproof drone in the event that ocean spray splashes up.
Surfer Captured by Drone ©Dmitry Pustovalov / Shutterstock
Not to mention the clarity necessary to take a photo so sharp that it would reflect even a slight rainbow coloring on the lower left side. The way the sunlight plays off the azure waves makes this photograph a true work of art.
55. Paradise, Lencois Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Possible Drone Used: DJI Mavic 2
Where to Buy: Store.DJI.com
Cost: $799*
Pakawat Thongcharoen is a travel photographer who captured this unique drone view of Lencois Maranhenses National Park in Brazil. The particular area shot by Thongcharoen is part of a nature preserve. The dunes in Lencois Maranhenses (the name means “bedsheets of Maranhao,” the city in which Lencois is located) are very unique.
Paradise, Lencois Maranhenses National Park, Brazil @Pakawat Thongcharoen / Shutterstock
The dune field captured by the drone formed from sediments that built up over time. In certain areas, the Lencois Maranhenses are not part of a preserve, and you can skibunda—go sledding down the sand dunes. The possible drone used to take this photo (in a hot, humid climate) could have been the DJI Mavic 2, which holds up well in the heat.
56. Holi Festival from above
Possible Drone Used: DJI Mini 2
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $499*
Anton Watman was the photographer behind this aerial look at the beautiful Holi Festival, which is an important yearly event for followers of Hinduism. The date follows the Hindu calendar. In March of 2020, the Holi Festival took place on Monday, March 10, whereas in 2021, it’ll take place on March 29.
Holi Festival from above © Anton Watman/Shutterstock
Though Watman’s drone of choice is unknown, the DJI Mini 2 might have been used, as it would be able to capture this “Festival of Colors” in all its glory. The Holi Festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Colored powder is used in the festivals to make it as beautiful and bright as possible, representing love and all of the good in the world.
57. Mada’in Saleh
Possible Drone Used: Mavic Air 2
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $799*
“Mada’in Saleh,” a photo taken by Gab Scanu, is an aerial picture of an ancient Saudi Arabian archaeological site. On Instagram, the photographer called it the “single most incredible sight” that he had “ever witnessed.” The Australian travel photographer also shared that he used the Mavic Air to take the photo.
“Mada’in Saleh” by ©Gab Scanu/ Instagram.com
So, what is Mada’in Saleh? Hegra, as it is also known, is an archaeological site dating back to the Nabatean Kingdom. The site has earned a reputation as a cursed place, as the Quran told a story of the residents there being punished by God for idol worship. The Saudi Government has tried to encourage photographers and tourists to come to the site in an attempt to get rid of its “cursed” reputation.
58. Pilgrimage of Millions
Possible Drone Used: Yuneec Q500 Typhoon 4K
Where to Buy: Shop.Yuneec.com
Cost: $1,199*
Qinghua Shui took this photo, titled “Pilgrimage of Millions.” It won the first prize in the “People Category” of the Drone Awards that year. If you look closely, you’ll see that there are, indeed, millions of people in this high-flying aerial photograph, which depicted the Hajj of 2018. The possible drone used could have been the Yuneec Q500 Typhoon 4K, which is a drone that is good for reaching high altitudes.
“Pilgrimage of Millions” by ©Qinghua Shui/ Instagram.com
The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is the holiest city for followers of Islam. According to Islam, Muslims have to carry out a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Each year, the Hajj draws at two million pilgrims.
59. Assisi Over the Clouds
Possible Drone Used: DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter
Where to Buy: DJI Drones
Cost: $1,350-$1,450*
Francesco Cattuto took “Assisi Over the Clouds,” a high-altitude drone photograph of Assisi, a town in Italy. This hill town is located in the Umbria region in central Italy, and it is famous for being the birthplace of one of the patron saints of Italy: St. Francis. The beautiful town includes the Basilica of St. Francis, which has thirteenth-century frescoes that portray the lives of St. Francis.
“Assisi Over the Clouds” by ©Francesco Cattuto/ Instagram.com
“Assisi Over the Clouds” is a look at the city from a perspective many don’t get to reach. A possible drone used was the DJI Phantom 4, a drone that works well at high altitudes. The DJI Phantom 4 can hit a peak altitude of 19,685 feet.
60. Katskhi Pillar, Georgia
Possible Drone Used: Autel EVO II
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $1,300*
The photographer and drone used are unknown, but there is no denying that this is one of the most beautiful photos on this list. It captures the Katshki Pillar, located in Imerti in Western Georgia. The pillar has recently been restored, thanks to the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.
Katskhi Pillar, Georgia ©Andrei Bortnikau / Shutterstock
The Katshki Pillar is made of limestone, and it has been around for thousands of years. In pre-Christianity times, it was dedicated to the fertility god. The possible drone used to capture this photograph is the Autel Evo II, which was listed by Digital Camera World as one of the best drones from 2020.