Heartstopping. This action shot of an eagle just a split second before it catches a fish could scarcely be any better. Stunning and awe-inspiring. It’s no wonder eagles are symbols of power throughout the world. Look at the outstretched talons, the focused eyes, the soaring wings. The thrill of the hunt is palpable.
One can almost feel the rush, the sheer speed and power emanating from this majestic bird. And this isn’t even a video. What makes an outstanding photograph? How photographers portray emotional depth in an otherwise still image. Is there anything about this photo that isn’t a work of art?
Boats in a Row
Beauty is what everyone makes of it. But there’s something stunning about symmetry, especially when unintended. Lines, colors, shapes, and angles align beautifully in this drone image. Pretty boats are lined up in a row. Muddy waters on one side and brown cliffs on the other make the perfect backdrop.
It’s serene and still, as if the universe conspired to make this moment happen. And maybe it did. Not many people know that the drone captured this image at a gathering of the First Nations Trust in Canada. The boats serendipitously became a symbol of indigenous pride, unity, and purpose.
The Circle of Life
A drone caught this image of a dead whale that washed up on a rocky beach. Nobody knows how or why the whale died, but we humans have a particular soft spot in our hearts for whales, and it’s always sad to see one go. But more often than not, whales washing up on shore is a sign that humans have mucked things up.
It’s a sign of our apathy and mindless consumption. We dump oil and plastic into their habitats. We treat earth’s resources as if they won’t run out. Dead whales washing ashore should ring alarm bells. What does it say about the world when sights like this are so common we’ve stopped reacting to it altogether?
The City of Homs, Destroyed
The civil war in Syria began in 2011. The opposition forces were headquartered mostly in the city of Homs. This photo shows the extent of the damage: the city is almost entirely abandoned and is largely destroyed. The Syrian civil war has sadly rained death and destruction upon much of that country.
Skeletons of buildings stood standing where there once were thriving businesses and vibrant communities. In a flash, Homs had transformed into a ghost town. No matter one’s political or religious leanings, it is impossible not to feel compassion. A reminder that innocent people trying to lead upstanding lives always pay the highest price in war.
A Farmyard Dance
Cattle corralling is an art form. Yes, we said it. This is no mundane activity. Precision is the name of the game, where every step can be the difference between going home and barreling into another bovine. Not everyone’s cut out for life on the farm; herding and handling livestock especially!
The way cattle come together is a living, breathing masterpiece. You’ve got to have intuition, rhythm, and a strong intuition - almost a farmyard version of moving geometry and symmetry. The aerial drone shot captures a dance of brown shapes and shadows. The dance is functional, so the cows can go home. It’s also theater, for anyone who likes visual spectacles in unexpected places.