The annual cranberry harvest in Massachusetts was captured by Brad Weiner BRAD WEINER

Lesson plan; nominees for the 2024 Drone Photo Awards

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Swimming, skylines and a dragon in lava — the Drone Photo Awards 2024

Nominees for the 2024 Drone Photo Awards have been announced. More than 2,000 shots were submitted from 113 countries for the prizes, which will be handed out at the Siena Awards in Italy on September 28. Source: The Times.

Look at the photos here and on The Times  with some of the 2000 entries; Swimming, skylines and a dragon in lava — the Drone Photo Awards 2024 (thetimes.com)

There are ten categories: abstract, light and shadow, animals, nature, people, sport, urban, weddings, series, and video.

Objective:

  • Understand the impact of drone technology on photography.
  • Analyze the subjects and composition of award-nominated drone photographs.

Materials:

  • Selected images from the Drone Photo Awards 2024 nominees.
  • Information about the photographers and their techniques

Activities:

  1. Introduction to Drone Photography:
    • Discuss the evolution of drone photography and its significance in modern visual arts.
  2. Photo Analysis:
    • Examine nominated photos, focusing on subjects like landscapes, wildlife, and urban scenes.
  3. Photographer Insights:
    • Study the backgrounds and approaches of photographers like Gilad Topaz and Yuriy Stolypin.
  • Understand the criteria for judging exceptional drone photos
  • Develop skills in critiquing photographic composition and technique

 Discuss the rise of drone photography and its unique perspectives. Ask students what makes a powerful drone photo stand out.

  1. Abstract: Look for intriguing patterns, shapes, lines, and geometry created from the aerial view. Strong use of colors, textures, and artistic framing.
  2. Light & Shadow: Evaluate the skilled use of natural light to create dramatic shadows, highlights, and contrast in the scene.
  3. Animals: Observe how the angle captures animals in their natural habitats/behaviors. Creative framing and timing of the shot.
  4. Nature: Appreciate landscapes, vegetation, and geological features from a new vantage point. Composition portraying the grandeur of nature.
  5. People: Examine shots displaying human interaction or the impact of human activity. Innovative perspectives on communities/cultures.

Students review the photos, analyze them based on category criteria, and select 1-2 favorites per category to present/defend their choices.

Discuss the power of the aerial/drone perspective and how it can redefine photographic art across genres.

Lava from the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland. This lava outbreak depicts a dragon-like image in this photo by Jeroen van NieuwenhoveJEROEN VAN NIEUWENHOVE
Lava from the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland. This lava outbreak depicts a dragon-like image in this photo by Jeroen van Nieuwenhove JEROEN VAN NIEUWENHOVE
A massive sperm whale died four days after being stranded on the shore in Perth, Australia. Toby Nicol captured a tiger shark about to feast on its bodyTOBY NICOL
A massive sperm whale died four days after being stranded on the shore in Perth, Australia. Toby Nicol captured a tiger shark about to feast on its body TOBY NICOL
More than a million lesser flamingos gathered at Lake Logipi in Kenya, to take advantage of the ideal feeding conditions. Paul McKenzie’s picture captured just a few of themPAUL MCKENZIE
More than a million lesser flamingos gathered at Lake Logipi in Kenya, to take advantage of the ideal feeding conditions. Paul McKenzie’s picture captured just a few of them PAUL MCKENZIE
Yuriy Stolypin went through months of planning and waiting for the perfect weather conditions to capture Europe’s tallest building, the Lakhta Centre in St PetersburgYURIY STOLYPIN
Yuriy Stolypin went through months of planning and waiting for the perfect weather conditions to capture Europe’s tallest building, the Lakhta Centre in St Petersburg YURIY STOLYPIN
Gilad Topaz was sailing on an icebreaker through the frozen Baltic Sea when it stopped, giving the passengers the opportunity to swim in the “pool” created by the vessel. “The rubber swimsuits kept us warm – to me, it felt like we were floating in space,” Topaz saidGILAD TOPAZ
Gilad Topaz was sailing on an icebreaker through the frozen Baltic Sea when it stopped, giving the passengers the opportunity to swim in the “pool” created by the vessel. “The rubber swimsuits kept us warm – to me, it felt like we were floating in space,” Topaz said GILAD TOPAZ

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