Stunning pics of erupting volcano, snow covered forests and hidden cities win big at the International Drone Photography Awards
More than 6,000 images were submitted to the competition by drone photographers from across the globe
NINE incredible aerial photographs win big at the International Drone Photography Contest 2016, with prize-winning entries snapping jaw-dropping shots from the skies.
Snaps of erupting volcanoes, death defying stunts and hidden cities raked in the awards after more than 6,000 drone photographers from across the globe uploaded submissions to the competition.
Once considered a niche novelty, drone images have taken off in the world of professional photography, with amateur pictures finding acclaim from experts.
The quadcopter flying devises allow enthusiasts to send their cameras sky-high, capturing spectacular images from above.
The nine victors were announced by National Geographic and Dronestagram, in the third year of the annual competition.
Judges whittled down the thousands of submissions to pick the winning photos – spanning three categories: Travel; Nature and Wildlife; and Sports and Adventure.
The prize-winning shots included aerial views of rock climbing in Utah and fog rising around the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy.
One dramatic snap caught the moment a volcano exploded with a fiery eruption on the eastern side of Réunion island in the Indian Ocean.
The picture, called Piton de la Fournaise (Peak of the Furnace), was entered by Johnathan Payet, a professional photographer who lives on Seychelles Island – a secluded tropical island north of Madagascar.
Winning the first prize award in the Sports and Adventure category, pro-snapper Max Seigal shot a view of a daredevil climber scaling a cliff face between a crack in a Utah mountain range.
Mr Seigal, of Utah, spoke about the start of his drone photography and how it allowed him to experiment with new heights and angle usually impossible to reach.
He said: “Two years ago I started flying drones, and I quickly realised their potential to capture stunning, never-before-seen views.
“I’ve been hooked ever since!”
In the Travel category, a photographer who goes by the name fcattuto took the winning spot with a picture of a what looks like a floating city in the clouds.
The shot shows misty clouds surrounding the base of the rustic town, in Umbria, Italy.
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