Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Drone/Aerial
Fireflight

A helicopter glides over a glowing river of lava at night, a thrilling adventure. Taken from a small Cessna plane over the Sundhnúkur eruption in Iceland, this fleeting moment was a challenge, as both the helicopter and the Cessna moved swiftly through the low-light sky, demanding precise timing and coordination to frame this breathtaking scene of nature’s power and human daring.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2024
Photo Location: Iceland
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Alex Visbal