Captured by a drone camera, this kayaker's death-defying plunge off a glacier will have your heart in your mouth
Gonzalo Robert Parraguez's photograph makes a single kayaker look tiny against Svalbard's blue ice
A kayaker, Aniol Serrasolses, experienced a death-defying plunge off a glacier captured by Chilean photographer Gonzalo Robert Parraguez. The breathtaking photograph, taken in Svalbard, Norway, earned Parraguez first place in the Adventure Category at The Illume Awards 2026. The image was taken from a DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone, set to 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO100 and a 24mm focal length, allowing for a sharp capture of the fast-moving subject and preserving the fine texture of the ice.
Parraguez positioned his subject off-center to provide a sense of the vast landscape, and dedicated the photo to Serrasolses, highlighting his commitment to the project. The judging panel, including Chris Burkard and Tim Kemple, praised the harmony between the icy landscape, lighting, and athlete's dedication.
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