For a structure that was completed nearly 90 years ago, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge possesses a kind of timeless modernity. It’s been the subject of countless photographs, often seen in the background from Baker Beach or from the overlook in Marin County. Its towers rise 500 feet from the roadway, but we typically can only see the structures from that level. For photographer Marcin Zając, a drone’s-eye view revealed a unique perspective of this iconic landmark.

Zając’s image is one of 101 finalists in the 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year, marking the second year of the competition. Photographers around the world submitted nearly 1,600 entries, with the top honor awarded to Azim Khan Ronnie, who draws on his background in journalism to capture human activities like fishing and harvesting crops.

an aerial photograph of agricultural workers harvesting red chiliAzim Khan Ronnie (Bangladesh), “Harvesting Red Chili”

Photographs considered for the competition range from drone views to shots taken from airplanes or the tops of buildings. Subject matter ranges from erupting volcanoes and geological phenomena to architecture and cultural events. See the top 101 photos on the contest’s website.

an aerial photograph of a bird standing in the center of a round pond surrounded by red foliageVitaly Golovatyuk (Russia)

an aerial photograph of an island landscape with a full-circle rainbow framing the viewPaolo Lazzarotti (Italy), “Complete Rainbow”

an aerial photograph of myriad ridges of a desert landscapePaweł Jagiełło (Poland), “The Valley of Forgotten Rivers”

an aerial photograph of the annual pilgrimage of Wari in India, where hundreds of people lay down on the ground around a shrineSanghamitra Sarkar (India), “Wari”

an aerial photograph of a turquoise river floweing beneath a bridgeAvishek Patra (India), “Confluence”

an aerial photograph of a horse rolling around on the ground and rustling up dustFabio Pappalettera (Italy), “Tumbling White Horse”

an aerial photograph of stampeding horses in a dusty landscapeKah-Wai Lin (U.S.), “Thunder of Hooves”

an aerial photograph of serrated ridges of a dry, desert landscapeA.J. Rich (U.S.), “Serration”

an aerial photograph of an erupting volcanoClément Coudeyre (Iceland), “The Floor Is Lava”

an aerial photograph of a nearly abstracted pattern of water flowing in a brown hueCédric Tamani (Switzerland), “Downstream”

an aerial photograph of a river and streams flowing through a verdant landscape with dramatic shadowsLuca Fucci (Italy), “Flame Vein”

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