If you have spent any of 2023 capturing beautiful drone shots (and if you are reading this I might you have) now is the time to show your photos and videos. They may even be worth something, assuming you garner a spot on the SkyPixel 2024 podium.

The entry window for the SkyPixel 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo and Video Contest is now open. This year offers even more awards and higher-valued prizes than in previous years. SkyPixel and DJI will present a total of 79 awards with a total value of over $200,000.

The 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest is run by SkyPixel, which is an online photo community that was established in 2014 and is closely tied to DJI, the world’s largest drone maker. The SkyPixel 2024 contest began on Nov. 7 and will accept entries through Feb. 2, 2024. 

The SkyPixel 2024 judging panel includes World Press Photo’s Wen Huang, National Geographic’s Anne Farrar, Southern Weekly’s Nan Li, and Michael Fitzmaurice, who was the Aerial Director of Photography of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”. 

SkyPixel’s contest now has a monthly competitions

This year’s SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest adds a new element with three monthly competitions. Each month will focus on a unique category. 

In November, the focus is multi-focal length, probably a nod to the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, which offers three cameras with different focal lengths. The DJI Mavic 3 Pro was released last spring. The drone claimed the title of the world’s first three optical camera drones. 

December spotlights FPV images, probably inspired by DJI’s two FPV drones. The DJI Avata, despite being more geared to FPV flight, provides pretty high-quality video. And the DJI FPV is a unique hybrid of a photography and racing drone. Check out DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV: which is better.

January will highlight handheld photography, certainly inspired by the very recent launch of DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3. The DJI handheld camera added major upgrades to the camera sensor, surely something DJI is hoping contestants make use of. 

Submissions to the monthly competitions can also be entered into the main competition. So, this allows contestants to compete for both monthly and overall awards. 

SkyPixel contest categories and awards 

The 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest is broken out by photo and video submissions. There are four photo categories and five video categories. 

2023 SkyPixel photo categories: 

• Nature 
• Architecture 
• Portrait
• Sports 

2023 SkyPixel video categories: 

• Nature 
• City 
• Travel 
• Sports 
• Creative 

The creative category is a new addition for video creators. The creative category “Break the Mold”, has no restrictions on subject matters. Creators are encouraged to explore novel approaches in terms of creative concepts, narrative styles, and filming techniques. 

All videos must be no less than 30 seconds long. 

The winners of the Best Work accolade will take home the grand prize, a DJI Inspire 3 for the video category and a Hasselblad X2D 100C in the photo category. Each of the prizes is worth $20,000 and $14,000, respectively.  

Also, other top prizes include DJI products, like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, DJI Air 3, DJI Avata, Osmo Pocket 3, Osmo Action 4, and Osmo Mobile 6. 

How to enter the SkyPixel 2024 contest 

The entry period for the 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest is open now till Feb. 2, 2024. And no need to hold back, you can submit as many photos or videos as you want. Entries can be submitted here (where you’ll also find the official rules). 

Winners will be announced on March 19, 2024.

And to see what you’re up against, check out the winners from last year’s contest: the best drone photos of 2023 and the best drone videos of 2023. 

So, best of luck! We can’t wait to see your beautiful photos and videos.

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