![A long exposure photo of downtown Vancouver.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/downtown-vancouver.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
Thanks to ever-improving camera technology, even low-cost drones can take some pretty stunning images. To help show off some of the best drone imagery out there, drone company DJI this year created SkyPixel, “a dedicated platform for aerial photographers and filmmakers from around the world.”
To celebrate SkyPixel’s first year running, the site is holding what it bills as the world’s biggest aerial photography contest. The grand prize includes a cutting edge drone setup, including one of DJI’s drones and cameras as well as editing software and a Zeiss virtual reality headset to see through the eyes of the drone in-flight. Submissions will close on Dec. 27; winners will be announced Jan. 1.
Above, see some of the most beautiful drone images on SkyPixel, as curated by TIME.
![Sunset over Venice Pier in Los Angeles.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest17.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![An overhead view of a pool in China.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest15.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A long exposure photo of downtown Vancouver.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/downtown-vancouver.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![An overhead view of Sakrisøya, Norway.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest13.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Volcanic stones and autumn forest in Germany.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest09.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Barona Speedway in Lakeside, Calif.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/colinsmith-racetrack.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Farming in Germany.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Shipping containers at a port in Germany.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest10.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field Fare Thee Well Tour Aerial Photo The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field Fare Thee Well Tour Aerial Photo](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest14.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Algae and geo-thermal landscape at the Volcanic Valley near Rororua, New Zealand.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![In this alternative approach, Piotr attacked lights to a drone during a long exposure photograph.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A maple tree during autumn in Illinois.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Fog rolling through Hamilton, Ontario.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Woods during autumn in Germany.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![An overhead view of a pool in China.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/skypixel-drone-contest16.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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