Glacial melt meets a lake in Fjaerland, Norway.

PURPOSE
Images taken as part of an ongoing personal project consisting of unique places throughout the world.

EQUIPMENT / TECHNIQUE
DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone

Judges Choice Award - 2025
"Aerial imaging is unique in its ability to show our world from new angles and a scale that is endlessly exciting. This photograph is an excellent example of creating visual intrigue: there is plenty of detail to establish a sense of place and understanding, yet it's ambiguous enough that it could be something else entirely. This view of a coastline where melting glacial ice meets lush tree growth and eventually a lake: stepping back, it could also be moss or lichen at a macro scale; the flattening perspective of the tributaries also mimics the structure and flow of veins or muscle tissue, reminiscent of the iris images we see from the ophthalmic imaging practice. The composition highlights texture, color, space and movement that simultaneously showcases the beauty of the natural world and our mind's ability to abstract and daydream when presented with an uncommon scene. Landscape photography is baked into the DNA of photography and this image is worthy of inclusion in a showcase of modern scientific imaging."

- Josh Shagam

Camera Image Quality Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area
California, USA