The highly anticipated announcement of the winners of the Siena Photo Awards celebrating some of the world’s best photography took place during a ceremony at the Siena Awards Festival that runs September 28 to November 24 in the romantic city of Siena.

The renowned festival hosts a month of photo-related celebrations that converts the medieval city in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, into the international capital of photography for participating professional photographers, amateurs, emerging talents and enthusiasts.

The festival offers exhibitions of the winners of the Drone Photo Award, the Creative Photo Award and the International Photo Award (SIPA) competitions, among others.

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Tender images of animals, beautiful nature shots, gut-wrenching photos of human despair, fascinating faces and striking sport feats are among the great pictures on display at this year’s Siena Photo Awards.

The Siena photo contests are open to professional, amateur and student photographers worldwide.

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Creative Photo Awards

Lurdes Santander from Asturias, Spain, took the title for the Photograph of the Year at the Creative Photo Awards with her image “Dreaming Above the Universe,” a heartwarming photo depicting a mother bear and her three cubs nestled under the starry Milky Way.

Lurdes’ captivating work, along with the other awarded entries from the Creative Photo Awards, will be showcased in the exhibition “I Wonder if You Can” at the Siena Awards Festival.

The mysterious portrait, apparently carved into the basalt rocks, is reminiscent of the world of “The Lord of the Rings” and the dark land of Mordor. This white Swiss Shepherd symbolizes the white spirit, a white wizard, a protector — and hope that springs eternal.

An orangutan and her infant share a tender kiss, showcasing the deep emotional bond and maternal care characteristic of this species. Their affectionate interaction highlights a unique and touching connection within the animal kingdom.

Holding on to a stick is not an easy task without hands. It appears that these snails have a supportive team on either side to help them maintain balance. Sometimes, it’s astonishing what these small creatures can achieve. The fascinating world of animals never ceases to amaze.

This pure black-and-white image transforms architectural photography into an abstract form, accentuated by the apparently disproportionate presence of a man. The flowing lines and the curved, open spaces combine to create a strikingly surreal, graphic portrayal of a dynamic building.

All the winners and finalists of the Creative Photo Awards can be seen here.

Drone Photo Awards

Israeli photographer Gilad Topaz was awarded the overall winner of the Drone Photo Awards for his ‘Drifting in Space’ image narrating his adventurous experience aboard an icebreaker in the frigid waters of Sweden’s Baltic Sea. As the ship stopped, it formed a makeshift pool where Gilad and his companions donned special suits to dive in, floating like astronauts in the space.

This photograph, chosen from more than 4,000 entries taken by 2,000 participants from 113 countries will be featured along with the winners of the various Drone categories in the exhibition “Above Us Only Sky,” displayed throughout the Siena festival.

The filming took place in Alex Berasategi’s hometown, Azpeitia, Spain, with the aim of capturing an image for the first anniversary poster of the new Skate Park. He focused on the lines and layout of the track to craft a compelling visual.

The World Water Motorbike Race is held on Thi Nai Lagoon in Vietnam. Over 50 riders from around the globe gather for this prestigious competition that took place in March, 2024.

This spinner shark is diving into a school of menhaden fish. The fish quickly react in unison to evade the attack. Thanks to conservation efforts, these schools can now contain tens of thousands of fish, providing a bountiful feast for nearby sharks.

All the winners and finalists of the Drone Photo Award are here.

International Photo Awards

The Palestinian photographer Ali Jadallah earned the title of Photographer of the Year at the Siena International Photo Awards 2024 for his poignant image “Irreplaceable.” Captured in Gaza, this powerful photograph depicts the heart-wrenching reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, showcasing a wounded woman in the Ridwan neighborhood of Gaza City, devastated by the loss of a loved one amid the chaos of Israeli airstrikes.

Fascinating Faces

Actor Ryan Gosling immortalized within a meticulously-crafted laboratory conceived and constructed by the photographer. Dan Winters’ vision for this image was to evoke the ambiance of the “Blade Runner” universe, while avoiding direct references to the film.

Joanna is an Aymara woman born with a man’s body and raised according to the customs of her indigenous Bolivian culture.

She dresses and thinks traditionally, breaking stereotypes while living a life deeply rooted in her culture. In her world, gender identity is not a rupture but harmonizes seamlessly with tradition.

Fifteen-year-old Aymoldir, from Bayan Olgii, Mongolia, made history by winning the 2023 Eagle Hunters Festival, triumphing over male rivals.

The Golden Eagle Festival, an annual tradition, sees Kazakh eagle hunters proudly exhibit their cultural legacy, dressed in traditional hunting attire and riding magnificently adorned horses.

Animals and Nature

At the Mexican El Rosario sanctuary, within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, during the harsh winter months, millions of monarch butterflies gather in a warm embrace, transforming the oyamel fir trees into a vibrant mosaic of colors. The golden rays penetrating the forest create a magical atmosphere.

The rivers of Iceland flow from the glaciers to the oceans, carving paths across volcanic terrain that resemble the veins of the land when viewed from above. Along their journey, they carry essential nutrients for the ecosystem in the form of sediment.

“I’ve seen mating behaviors in the wild, but never have I witnessed a more unique and intimate moment,” says Sethu Raj R. “This shot was taken in the stunning landscapes of Maasai Mara, Kenya, during a morning game drive in December, 2023.”

A King Penguin cradles its newborn chick just moments after hatching. After patiently waiting for two days, from the first crack to the triumphant emergence, this image captures the essence of life’s delicate start. It showcases the profound beauty and resilient spirit of the Southern Hemisphere’s wildlife.

Documentary and Photojournalism

Following the powerful February,2023, earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, a woman walks past a collapsed building as demolition teams work nearby. The 7.8-magnitude quake caused widespread devastation, claiming over 50,000 lives and injuring more than 100,000 people.

A family with a young child makes its way through razor wire along the border wall separating the US and Mexico in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Originating from Venezuela, they are among the multitude of migrants seeking a new beginning in the United States.

Orangutans are forced to perform in shows across Asia, as seen here at Safari World in Bangkok. Afterward, they are exploited for selfie sessions, despite the potential for disease transmission. In the past, orangutans were seized from Safari World after DNA tests confirmed they were being illegally trafficked.

See all the winners and finalists of each category of the SIPA contest here.

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