Drones

2016 from above: Some of the year's finest drone photography

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Shot by user Aero Retina Optics using a DJI Phantom 3, this image shows a daring rope access worker tending to a wind turbine in southern Alberta, Canada
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy
Fcatutto
An aerial perspective of the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano, which sits on Réunion island in the Indian Ocean
DroneCopters
French fields of lavender
jcourtial
Shot by user Aero Retina Optics using a DJI Phantom 3, this image shows a daring rope access worker tending to a wind turbine in southern Alberta, Canada
Miedzyzdroje plaża, Poland as seen from a bird's eye view
 Drone Expert
Niagara Falls, as seen by drone
Ryanjones
This rock climbing image took out first prize in the adventure category of the National Geographic contest earlier in the year. Shot in Moab, USA
Max Seigal
A herd of sheep, Romania
Thedon
Camels take a stroll along Australia's Cable Beach
 Todd Kennedy
A bid comes in for a closer look at a drone in French Polynesia
Actua Drone
Romania's Bogata Forest
Deepluero
Copacabana, Rio de janeiro, Brazil 
Ulysees Padihla
Cross-country skiers race across the snow in Asha, Russia
Maksim Tarasov
A snorkeler pursues a Manta Ray in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji
 Captain Salty
Summer Camp in Gran Canaria, Spain
Karolis Janulis
Big Buddha, Ushiku Daibutsuby, Japan
cliechti
Vernazza, cinque terre, italy, as sen from above
jcourtial
A dronie above Huia dam in New Zealand
Brendon Dixon
A farmer tends to his red chilies in Guntur, India
Aurobird
A pair of newlyweds in French Polynesia
Helene Havard
View gallery - 20 images

Such is the captivating nature of drone photography that online communities have quickly formed around this emerging, high-flying art form. SkyPixel, which last month announced the finalists from its 2016 contest, is one such hub, and Dronestagram is another, whose turn it is now to showcase its finest images from the year.

Dronestagram is an online platform where drone photography enthusiasts can share, like and comment on images grabbed by these flying robotic cameras. Midway through each year, Dronestagram teams up with National Geographic to run an annual drone photography competition across four specific categories, and then at the end of each year it rounds up its favorite selections for our viewing pleasure.

This year's collection of 20 features a few photos to take honors in the earlier contest, but a number of fresh images, too. Guillaume Jarret, head of Dronestagram's community, tells us the platform now has 35,000 registered users and the 2016 selections rose above some 20,000 uploads to make the cut. Anyway, that's enough words, here are a few of our favorite photos, and you can click through to the gallery to browse the entire set.

Romania's Bogata Forest
Deepluero

The winding road makes its way through the Romania's Bogata Forest on its way to Transylvania. Shot by user deepbluero using a DJI Phantom 4.

A dronie above Huia dam in New Zealand
Brendon Dixon

This selfie, or "dronie" as they are called, was shot above the Huia Dam in New Zealand by user Brendon Dixon using a DJI Inspire One Pro.

Niagara Falls, as seen by drone
Ryanjones

God knows how many visitors have snapped photos of Niagara falls, but few turn their lens on it from this kind of angle. Shot by user ryanjones using a DJI Phantom 4.

These are just a few of the shots to catch our eye. You can view all of Dronestagram's picks for 2016 in our gallery, or have a poke around its entire catalogue via the source link below.

Source: Dronestagram

View gallery - 20 images
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5 comments
jkn
Those skiers are racing up, not down!
Bruce H. Anderson
Good catch jkn! I have done a little cross-country a while back, and this is a steep uphill, as most gentle grades can be taken head on.
Dan Lewis
Because of the lousy name they've apparently chose - 'Dronestagram' I wouldn't do business with them. Their name suggests they don't have much operating brain power.
CzechsterMarek
That is the most interesting set of photos I have seen in a long time. I have to say I would like to try my hand at this. Thanks for bringing us this.
RalphL.Seifer
This kind of photography may someday become routine and, perhaps, hackneyed. But for the moment, it's astoundingly brilliant and fresh. It's things one's never seen walking around down on the firmament. Please continue to post this kind of story on this site. Many thanks. Ralph L. Seifer, Long Beach, California.