The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) concluded the January edition of the Instagram Photo Contest themed ‘Drone’. Five winners were announced for the competition which received submissions under the hashtag #HIPAContest_Drone. The contest winners hailed from; Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Portugal. January’s ‘People’s Choice Award’ winner received a brand new NIKON D7200 SLR, courtesy of Nikon Middle East & Africa.

HIPA Secretary General, His Excellency Ali bin Thalith said, “With the rapid development of technology and its interplay with photography patterns and schools, the acquisition of new skills has become an imperative necessity for photographers wishing to remain on the scene and in competition circles. ‘Drone’ added a new dimension and a unique perspective. The photographic work captured with this technology has carved its own niche in the photography world. We experienced many distinct stories that were told from above, and we share with you the photos that got the merit of winning. Congratulations as always to our winners, and we look forward to even more of our community getting involved in next month’s competition.”

January’s winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’ was Mark Anthony Agtay @thebrightpixels from Philippines who said, “I took the picture in Botolan, Zambales region in the Philippines and I was on a beachfront stroll with my family. Noting the reflection of the sun’s rays and the visual elements surrounding me, I decided to try to take a picture using my drone. This is not my first win, but winning with HIPA makes me proud and enhances my presence and reputation as a photographer. As a photographer, I am inspired to travel the world and take pictures that document history.”

The Vietnamese winner, Pham Huy Trung @ phtrung0611 said, “The picture was taken on the Hon Yin coast near Tuy Hoa, central Vietnam. Fishermen in the area usually use a huge fishing net for anchovies, which is preferred in the local food scene. The fishing season for this type of anchovy begins in April and lasts for a period of four to five months. This was my first win on social media, and it felt amazing when my name appeared in the list of qualified. Winning has given me more motivation to pursue my passion in photography.

Full list of winners: