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International Aerial POTY 2025 — Top 101

My photograph "The Long Shadow" reached the Top 101 of the inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year in 2025.

Published 15 June 2025
A solitary small group of trees casts a long dark shadow across a fog-covered arable field on the slopes of Brightwell Barrow, near the Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire, as low winter sunrise strikes horizontally through the mist. The aerial perspective reduces the scene to near-pure geometry: a diagonal line of darkness dividing cold blue shadow from warm amber light. The tree reads as both subject and instrument, the agent producing the image's central tension.
A solitary small group of trees casts a long dark shadow across a fog-covered arable field on the slopes of Brightwell Barrow, near the Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire, as low winter sunrise strikes horizontally through the mist. The aerial perspective reduces the scene to near-pure geometry: a diagonal line of darkness dividing cold blue shadow from warm amber light. The tree reads as both subject and instrument, the agent producing the image's central tension. Buy this print →
The Long Shadow, Oxfordshire, England — awarded in the Top 101 of the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025.

I'm beyond excited to announce that I've reached the Top 101 in the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025 competition, the first year of this prestigious event. The same team that runs the annual International Landscape Photographer of the Year competition is behind this event, so to be among the top photographers is a real privilege.

The story behind "The Long Shadow"

My awarded photograph, "The Long Shadow", was captured on March 1st, 2025, in Oxfordshire, using my trusty DJI Air 2S drone. The weather conditions on that day were nothing short of spectacular — mist sat low to the ground, with clear skies above. As the sun rose, the mist lit up, casting a long shadow through a small clump of trees on a Bronze Age burial mound. What I love about this scene is its simplicity, with the trees as the focal point and the furrows in the farmed fields aligning perfectly with the path of the light.

What this means to me

I'm thrilled that the judges enjoyed my photograph, and I hope it inspires others to explore their local areas with their cameras. I believe that you don't need to travel to epic locations to produce outstanding photography — sometimes, the most extraordinary shots are right in front of us. I'd like to congratulate all the other awarded photographers who made it to the Top 101, and I'm truly honoured to be part of this community.

The book and other entries

If you're interested in seeing more of my work and the other awarded photographers, you can find further information and purchase the book on the International Aerial Photographer website. I'm excited to share this achievement with you, and I look forward to continuing to capture more from above. Follow along my journey on my Instagram account.