Protests, Nature and A World in Lockdown Are Captured from Above in Drone Photo Awards 2020

‘Sunrise Surfing’ by Jim Picôt was commended in the sport category.

Jim Picôt/Drone Photo Awards

Animals, landscapes, protests and empty streets, all caught by photographers from hundreds of feet above, have been highlighted by judges of the 2020 Drone Photo Awards. The annual competition dedicated an entire category to pictures that showed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with several haunting images of empty cities honored by the judges.

But shots of roads packed with protesters also featured, along with scenes from nature as seen by an eye in the sky.

More: Drone Photo Awards

This beach volleyball shot by Kenny Beele was also highlighted.

Kenny Beele/Drone Photo Awards

‘Hot Attack’ by Marc Le Cornu was commended by judges.

Marc Le Cornu/Drone Photo Awards

A photo of thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong was the runner-up in the People category.

Tugo Cheng/Drone Photo Awards

‘Colored Watermix’ by Ignacio Medem, highlighted in the nature category.

Ignacio Medem/Drone Photo Awards

Greece’s Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium was captured in flames by Dimitris Tosidis.

Dimitris Tosidis/Drone Photo Awards

Indian rhinos look for new grazing grounds, captured by Rajarshi Banerji.

Rajarshi Banerji/Drone Photo Awards

Images showing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, like this one by Ingrid Hendriksen, were given their own category.

Ingrid Hendriksen/Drone Photo Awards

A photo from South India by Rakesh Pulapa shows how densely-packed human communities co-exist with natural landscapes.

Rakesh Pulapa/Drone Photo Awards

Stefan Emanuel’s “Time is the only witness” shows a slow pace to life in the Italian countryside.

Stefan Emanuel/Drone Photo Awards

Fabio Muzzi caught pictures of an empty Italy during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fabio Muzzi/Drone Photo Awards

Carmine Chiriacò’s image of a marina in Dubai caught the judges’ eyes.

Carmine Chiriacò/Drone Photo Awards

“Boats Of Buriganga” by Md Ali Asraf Bhuiyan was honored in the urban category.

Md Ali Asraf Bhuiyan/Drone Photo Awards

Thomas Vijayan’s shot of hundreds of flamingos was also picked.

Thomas Vijayan/Drone Photo Awards

An image by Azim Khan Ronnie shows Eid prayers.

Azim Khan Ronnie/Drone Photo Awards

A picture of a Shangai skyscraper in the early morning light.

Rex Zou/Drone Photo Awards

A buffalo herd moves to shelter, in this picture by Mehmet Aslan.

Mehmet Aslan/Drone Photo Awards

“Forest Path” by Mehmet Aslan.

Mehmet Aslan/Drone Photo Awards

Dubai in lockdown, captured by Bachir Moukarzel.

Bachir Moukarzel/Drone Photo Awards

Sheep shelter from the sun, in a shot by Marek Biegalski.

Marek Biegalski/Drone Photo Awards

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

Winners & Finalists of The LensCulture B&W Photography Awards 2020

These Photos Of Children Fighting Monsters From Their Nightmares Are Adorable

Meet Colombia's FARC Rebels Preparing For Peace After More Than Half-Century Of Conflict With Government

Wonderful Sunny Pics Document A Spring Break In United States In The 1980s

"New York, By The Way": Urban Pastel Color Photography By Ludwig Favre

Artists Recreate Iconic Posters of Movie Classics with Black Models

Fascinating Satellite Photos of Seaweed Farms in South Korea

This Man Took A Photo Every Year With His Son For 30 Years

Spectacular Winning Images of The Black and White Minimalist Photography Prize 2021

The Best Winning Photos From The iPhone Macro Photography Challenge

20 Rare And Beautiful Examples Of Black Women In Fantasy Photoshoots

A Human Science Teacher Who Is Passionate About Capturing The Human Condition In The Streets

Pretty Power Plants

Winning Images of The Architectural Category from The International Photography Awards 2020

Surreal & Wild Creatures Emerge From Thrown Sand In Photographs By Claire Droppert

This Woman Has Dedicated Her Life To Taking Pictures Of The Oldest Trees On The Planet

Newly Married Couple Are Photobombed By A Raging Bull As They Pose For Their Wedding Photos

March 31, 1889: The Eiffel Tower Is Opened

Living Sculpture Mari Katayama

Spectacular Award-Winning Images From The 2024 Minimalist Photography Awards

Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2017 - Unforgettable Animal Behaviour

"Poetic Dance in Nature": The Pastel and Romantic Universe of The Photographer Alexandre Delamadeleine

Photographer John Hinde And His Fabulous Colourful Postcards From The Past

Enchanting Photographs Of A Misty English Wood By Neil Burnell

Street Photos Taken At The Absolute Perfect Time

The Taser Photoshoot: Portraits Of People's Faces When Hit With A Stun Gun

Winners & Finalists of The 'Indian Photo Festival' Portrait Prize 2020

2016 Washington Post Travel Photo Contest

Dreamy Sky Edits, Fading Light, and the Soft Emotional Aesthetic of sethuhh’s Visual World

When Photos Looked Like Paintings: Dreamy Landscape Photographs Taken By Leonard Misonne