Bio
Daniel Franc creates fine art photographs with a drone, offering a new perspective on both external and internal worlds. He acquired his first drone more or less by chance in 2017 and since then has visited places in the most common parts of the world around us, as well as more exotic destinations. He has always been fascinated by the hidden possibilities in the world around him and was an innovator in areas that were new or off the beaten path. He has also always been close to nature, spending some time as an instructor of outdoor experiential activities in South Africa, Australia, and then in the Czech Republic.
He has been published by National Geographic and British Royal Geographical Society, had 2 solo exhibitions and has participated in many group ones, and he is a multiple recipient of various international and Czech awards.

Media, publications
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CzechCrunch, 2025, translated article
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Explorer, 2024, Interview and photos, full text
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Athens's Voice, 2022 (Google translation)
Interviews
Selected Books and Catalogs
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BNW Minimalist Photography Prize Annual Book, 2020, 2021, 2022
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Minimalist Photography 2021 Annual Book
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Czech Nature Photo 2022
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Czech Nature Photo since 2020
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35Wards Top 100 Photographers


Magazines and Journals
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National Geographic Czech, Jan 2024
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Geographical (Royal Geographic Magazine), 2022
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Edge of Humanity, July 2021
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Daily, November 2021
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Expats.cz,November 2021
(and dozens of articles based on releases from exhibitions and competitions in UK, Czech Republic, Greece and globally)
Interview for CEWE Fotolab about drone photography, especially for beginners. (Czech only)
The Creative Statement
With a background in working with complex human systems, I have trained my mind to see patterns where others see noise. I apply this analytical gaze to nature to find visual anchors in a chaotic world.
My aerial photos are about capturing new universes in the world around us as well as exploring our inner worlds. They are expeditions into unknown territories right under our feet, which we can discover just by changing our perspective.
We only know a fraction of the world - especially the world near us. Even in the most familiar environments, a change in perspective can reveal that they offer endless opportunities for explorations of the unknown. While part of my work takes place in rather exotic places, what really fulfills me is revealing the richness of the world where we live here and now; finding new things here by distancing from the usual perception of reality - literally rising above it.
My primary perspective is represented by photos that offer a unique and thought-provoking perspective of the world, creating a play between the image and the viewer and provoking introspection and personal interpretation. They capture the world in a way that transforms familiar landscapes into intriguing visual art challenging traditional perceptions and provoking curiosity to take a closer look. This new interpretation of reality is an offer for liberation from our expectation of the world around us and an inspiration to relax stereotypes about everyday life.

My approach to photo processing: Reality is my foundation, not my limit. While every image is rooted in a genuine moment witnessed from above, I do not aim to document geography- I document energy, rhytms, sources of new meanings. I process my work to match my the experience and I use color, contrast, and perspective blending to reveal the mood and structure I felt in the scene. The result is the world as perceived through my eyes. My red line? While I interpret light and color, I respect the physical reality of the subject. I do not move elements, I do not add objects that weren't there, and I do not create collages from unrelated locations. I don't use AI to generate my photos either.
Awards
Competition placement (selection)
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1st place, ND Awards (Fine Art Landscape), 2023
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1st place, Czech Nature Photo (Landscape), 2022
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1st place, International Photography Awards (Fine Art - Nature), 2022
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1st place and Title "Aerial Photographer of the Year", Minimalist Photography Awards (Aerial Photography), 2022.
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1st place, Earth Photo by Royal Geographic Society UK (category Places), 2022
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1st place, Tokyo International Photo Awards (Nature Aerially), 2021
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2nd place, Minimalist Photography Awards 2022, Abstract
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2nd place, ND Awards (Water Bodies), 2023
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2nd place, Minimalist Photography Awards (Aerial Photography), 2022.
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2nd place, Czech Nature Photo (Landscape), 2023
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2nd place, Czech Nature Photo (Animals), 2024
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2nd place, Czech Nature Photo (Landscape), 2022
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2nd place, Tokyo International Photo Awards (Nature), 2021
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2nd place, ND Awards (Drone), 2021
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3rd place, ND Awards (Trees), 2025
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3rd place, Czech Nature Photo, 2022 (Landscape)
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3rd place, Annual Photography Awards (Drone), 2022
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3rd place, International Photography Awards (Oneshot - Color), 2022
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3rd place, IPA - International Photo Awards (Abstract), 2022
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3rd place, Minimalist Photo Awards (Abstract), 2023
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Top 5 Jury Selection, IPA - International Photography Awards, 2021
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"50 Best BnW Minimalist Photographers", 2021
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Top 5 Jury Selection, Tokyo International Photo Awards, 2021
Honorable mentions and nominations (selection)
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Top 101 International Drone Photographers, 2025
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5 honorable mentions, ND Awards, 2025
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3 honorable mentions, Minimalist Photography Awards, 2025
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2 honorable mentions, ND Awards, 2023
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Highly Commended, Commended, Sienna Drone Awards 2023
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honorable mention, International Photo Awards 2022, Abstract
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honorable mention, Minimalist Photography Awards 2022, Abstract
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5 honorable mentions, Annual Photo Awards, 2022
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Special Jury Award, Vienna Photo Awards, 2022
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3 honorable mentions,Minimalist Photo Awards, 2022
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6 honorable mentions, ND Awards, 2021
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10 honorable mentions, IPA Photography Awards, October 2021
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3 honorable mentions(Abstract&Aerial), Minimalist Photography Awards, 2021
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3 honorable mentions, 5 official selections, Tokyo International Photo Awards, 2021
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9 nominations, Fine Art Photography Awards, 2021
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Honorable mention of the jury, exhibition Color, USA 2021
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Finalist Nature Photographer of the Year, Slovenia, 2021
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Finalist Nature TTL Photographer of the Year, 2021
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Finalist in Van Gogh Photo Award, 2021


Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
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"Invisible Worlds", Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece, September 2022
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"With a Perspective", Třeboň, Czech Republic, 2019
Group exhibitions
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Czech Nature Photo, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, Czech Republic
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Czech Nature, 2025, Prague Airport Gallery
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Glasgow Gallery of Photography, Glasgow, June, UK
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Royal Geographical Society, London, June-Sept, UK
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indoor exhibition at Dalby Forest, Sept 2022-Jan 2023 North Yorkshire, UK
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Outdoor exhibition at Haldon Forest, Oct 2022-Jan 2023, Devon, UK
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Outdoor exhibition at Fineshade Wood, Nov 2022-Mar 2023, UK
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Indoor exhibition at Grizedale Forest, Dec 2022- Apr 2023, Lake District, UK
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" Silence ", Budapest, Hungary, April
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" Quiet Landscape" , Vermont, USA, April
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Chania Int'l Photo Festival, Crete, Greece, June
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"Of the Earth ", Online, April
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"Keep it Green" , Los Angeles., USA, April
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" Purely Abstract ", California, USA, June
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"Czech Nature Photo" , Czech Republic, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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" Color ", Vermont, USA, August, 2021
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" Contrasts ", Rome, Italy, August, 2021
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"Abandoned", Los Angeles, USA, September 2021
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" Van Gogh Photo Award ", Utrecht, Holland, September 2021


