Drones are no longer just for covert military missions or spying on your neighbour, they’re now actively used by artists to create spell-binding views of the world around us. SkyPixel – the online aerial photography community – have just announced the winners of their global competition to find the top drone photographs of 2016.

Grand Prize | © 郑戈 / Sky Pixel

The overall Grand Prize winner went to Ge Zheng for his exquisite shot of fisherman in Fujian Province in China. Here, Zheng transforms a daily activity into a striking moment through skilful use of aerial perspective and considered composition.

Professional – Beauty – 1st – ‘Exploration’ | © 王 汉冰 / Skypixel

The other winners were chosen from six categories subdivided into professional and enthusiast. Here, they interpreted the themes: Beauty, Drones in Use and 360 photos, to spectacular effect, capturing everything from camels trekking across desert dunes to the tips of the Tianshan Mountain range.

Professional – Beauty – 2nd – ‘Spilway Selfie’ | © Dixonltd / Skypixel

Professional – Beauty – 3rd – ‘The Earth’ | © 李珩 / Skypixel

Professional – Drones in Use – 1st – ‘A Happy Morning’ | © Roman Neimann / Skypixel

Professional – Drones in Use – 2nd – ‘Meet the Phantom’ | © HackerSundy / Skypixel

Professional – Drones in Use – 3rd – ‘Drone in use’ | © Norman Nollau / Skypixel

Click the image below to view the interactive 360 image taken by 1st place Professional winner, Jingwen Chen.

Professional – 360 – 1st – ‘The Starry Night’ |© Jingwen Chen / SkyPixel

Enthusiast – Beauty – 1st – ‘Overbridge’ | © 天桥 / Skypixel

Enthusiast – Beauty – 2nd – ‘Green Waves’ | © Mauro pagliai / Skypixel

Enthusiast – Beauty – 3rd – ‘Ice River’ | © 冰之河 / Skypixel

Enthusiast – Drones in Use – 1st – ‘Despectus’ | © Fifa / Skypixel

Enthusiast – Drones in Use – 2nd – ‘Inspire in Use’ | © Lili Cui / Skypixel

Enthusiast – Drones in Use – 3rd – ‘ The Phantom of the Earth’ | © 零 大魔王 / Skypixel

Click the image below to view the interactive 360 image taken by 1st place Enthusiast winner, Wen Li.

Enthusiast – 360 – 1st – ‘Flying Ink of Tianshan Mountain’ | © Wen Li / Skypixel