A breathtaking aerial photograph of frozen peat pools in Estonia has captured international attention, earning prestigious recognition at this year's GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The image, aptly titled "Golden Treasure," showcases the ethereal beauty of an Estonian bog transformed by winter conditions, creating a landscape that appears almost otherworldly.
Photographer Sven Začek secured second place in the Landscapes category with this stunning drone capture, which brilliantly merges traditional Estonian folklore with cutting-edge aerial photography technology. The frozen peat pools shimmer with a mysterious golden glow that evokes the country's ancient folktales about mystical lights that guard hidden treasures in remote bog lands.
Začek employed the DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone to achieve this remarkable shot, specifically utilizing the aircraft's Hasselblad-branded medium telephoto camera. The technical specifications proved crucial to the image's success: a 70mm equivalent focal length, f/2.8 aperture, and ISO 100 setting. Operating at the camera's base ISO allowed Začek to extract maximum image quality from the 1/1.3-inch sensor, which delivers 48-megapixel files with impressive dynamic range essential for preserving detail in both the golden highlights and darker peat areas.
The choice of the 70mm equivalent focal length was particularly strategic. While the Mavic 3 Pro offers a 24mm equivalent wide-angle lens on its 4/3-inch main sensor and a 166mm equivalent telephoto option, the medium camera provided ideal compression for capturing the abstract patterns of the bog landscape. This focal length perfectly balanced the need to show the intricate details of the frozen pools while maintaining the broader context of the mysterious terrain.
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro represents the pinnacle of DJI's consumer and prosumer drone lineup, weighing just under one kilogram. Despite requiring registration in most jurisdictions due to its weight, the aircraft remains highly portable – a crucial advantage when accessing remote locations like Estonian bogs. The drone's triple-camera system addresses a longstanding challenge in aerial photography by providing multiple focal lengths without adding bulk or complexity to the equipment.
Photographers can seamlessly switch between the three cameras with a single tap, offering unprecedented versatility in the field. The main 24mm camera excels in low-light conditions thanks to its larger sensor and can capture video up to 5.1K at 50fps. The 70mm medium camera that Začek utilized offers 4K 60fps video capability, while the 166mm telephoto extends to 7x optical zoom for distant subjects.
All three cameras feature advanced stabilization systems specifically designed to counteract vibrations at altitude, which proves particularly crucial at longer focal lengths like the 70mm setting used for this award-winning image. The drone's impressive 43-minute battery life provides ample time for scouting locations, composing shots, and capturing multiple frames in unpredictable natural environments like remote bog lands.
Safety features including collision detection and obstacle avoidance offer crucial margins when working in challenging terrain filled with trees, vegetation, and uneven surfaces. These technological advantages allowed Začek to focus on the creative aspects of his photography rather than worrying about equipment limitations or safety concerns.
The resulting image transforms the frozen peat pools into something truly magical and mysterious. The elevated perspective reveals patterns and textures invisible from ground level, with golden light creating beautiful contrast against the organic, irregular shapes dotted with frost-covered trees. The composition successfully captures both the harsh beauty of the Estonian winter landscape and the mystical quality that has inspired local folklore for generations.
Začek's achievement demonstrates not only the creative potential of the Mavic 3 Pro's often-overlooked medium telephoto camera but also serves as a powerful reminder that technical excellence means little without artistic vision. While the Mavic 3 Pro provides professional-grade capabilities, the photographer's ability to recognize the artistic potential in frozen peat pools and execute the vision with precision exemplifies the perfect marriage of technical capability and creative insight that reveals hidden beauty in the world's most overlooked places.
