Drones have their detractors, and we should certainly keep these flying machines in check. But there’s no denying that they have improved the field of aerial photography — and archeology, conservation, and science — immensely. Not everyone can afford to fly around in a helicopter to get stunning shots from the sky, but just about anyone with some savings can invest in a drone and do the very same thing.
Above the Polar Bear by Florian Ledoux
The Amazing Images That Won the 2018 Drone Awards
The Drone Awards allows those who have honed their skills at drone photography to submit their best shots and showcase their talent. In 2018, the Drone Awards received more than 4,400 submissions in six categories — abstract, nature, people, sport, wildlife, and urban — from amateur and professional photographers from around the world. Here are the winning photos of this year’s contest. 
Abstract
Winner
Weather Snake by Ovi D. Pop
Runner up
Ice Magic by Martin Mecnarowski
Nature
Winner
Mada’in Saleh by Gabriel Scanu
Runner up
Entrance to Hell by Xiaoxiao Liu
People
Winner
Pilgrimage of Millions of People by Qinghua Shui
Runner up
Honors Day by Xiaoxiao Liu
Sport
Winner
Skating Shadows by Vincent Riemersma
Runner up
El Angel by Luis Alonso Jimenez Silva
Wildlife
Winner
Blacktip Shark by Adam Barker
First runner up
Big Shadow by Thomas Vijayan
Second runner up
Responsible Dady the Gharial with Babies by Dhritiman Mukherjee
Urban
Winner
Assisi Over the Clouds by Francesco Cattuto
First runner up
Warehouse Fire by Byron du Bois
Second runner up
Ameneties by Gary Cummins
Photo of the year
Above the Polar Bear by Florian Ledoux