Helicopter Association International (HAI) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 ROTOR Magazine Photo Contest. The popular contest attracts hundreds of entries annually from photographers around the world.
This year’s Grand Prize went to Dianne Bond of Pensacola, Florida, USA, who says that as a photographer, she sees the world a little differently from others. Her winning image features an Air Center Helicopters Airbus H225 Super Puma working under contract to the US Air Force. With the helicopter hovering just above the ocean, Bond captures the moment when an Air Force pararescueman, or “PJ,” leaps into the rotorwash-whipped water.
“Our judges selected this image for the Grand Prize for its captivating drama, composition, and technique,” says Gina Kvitkovich, director of publications and media for HAI. “Our judges spend quite a bit of time discussing each photo that makes it to the final round. They noted the different elements that Dianne skillfully brought together to create this striking image. We offer our sincere congratulations to Dianne.”
Photographers submitted entries in five categories, each focusing on an aspect of vertical aviation. For the first time, one helicopter operator appears in two of the winning photographs. For the second year in a row, and just the second time in the history of the contest, entries from one photographer were selected as the top image in two categories.
The complete list of winning photographers in the 2023 ROTOR Magazine Photo Contest follows:
- Grand Prize: Dianne Bond, Pensacola, Florida, USA
- Helicopter/Drones at Work: Gabe Yancey, Burleson, Texas, USA
- Helicopter/Drones in the Military: Brandon Roberson, Vacaville, California, USA
- People and Their Helicopter/Drones: Eric Canning, San Diego, California, USA
- Helicopter/Drone Digitally Enhanced Photos: Sean Slebrich, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Wrench Turners: Sean Slebrich, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Bond received $500 for her winning entry, and each category winner received $100. The winning entries will be displayed at HAI HELI-EXPO 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia, in March and will also be featured in the March 2023 issue of ROTOR magazine.
Please visit photo.rotor.org to see all of this year’s entries. That website is where you can also upload your photos when the annual contest opens again on Aug. 1, 2023. Membership in HAI is not required for entry, and HAI does not charge an entry fee.
