Powerful Photography: 11 Winning Photos Of 2023 Siena International Photo Awards

Today, we would like to share with you the list of the best images of 2023, as announced by the Siena International Photo Awards. If you're curious about past editions of this contest, we encourage you to check our previous posts featuring the other stunning photographs selected by the SIPA's jury.

The works submitted by photographers from around the world this year don't disappoint. Many of them are thought-provoking and extremely powerful. Scroll down to explore the list of images that made it to the finals of the contest, spanning various categories such as Journeys & Adventures, Fascinating Faces and Characters, The Beauty of Nature, Animals in their Environment, Underwater Life, Sports in Action, Documentary & Photojournalism, and Street Photography.

More info: sipacontest

11 PHOTOS

#1 Photo Of The Year: Georgy By Salwan Georges

Georgy Keburia says goodbye to his wife Maya and children at a train station in Odesa, Ukraine, as they board a train to Lviv on March 5, 2022. The situation in Eastern Ukraine has become extremely critical as the fighting intensifies. Hundreds of women and children who escaped cities like Mariupol, Kherson, and Mykolaiv, are trying desperately to catch a train and leave for a safe place before the violence of the war reaches the city. Meanwhile, men like Georgy must stay to fight to defend their own country and families.

#2 The Beauty Of Nature, 2nd Classified: The Awakening Of A Giant By Francisco Negroni

#3 Animals In Their Environment, 1st Classified: Lions In Lines By Torie Hilley

In the African savanna, as the dry season approaches and the grass turns yellow, lions become even more elusive, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. As Torie was tracking their footprints on the ground, she was suddenly presented with a stroke of luck: a pride of lions appeared in front of her, walking in a line and following the tire tracks.

#4 Animals In Their Environment, 2nd Classified: Blooming Dreams By Martin Gregus

A large male polar bear recharges his energy by resting in a bed he specifically made among the fireweed. The drone’s use offers an up-close glimpse of how he meticulously arranged the flowers to ensure a comfortable rest.

#5 Journeys & Adventures, 3rd Classified: Roman By Chiara Felmini

The Nenets’ way of life during winter mainly involves staying inside their traditional tent, the Chum. The tent is constructed using a conical frame made of long poles and is covered with a double layer of reindeer skins. To preserve the internal heat, the opening of the tent is kept as small as possible and should only be opened when necessary. However, children’s curiosity goes beyond all rules and habits.

#6 Animals In Their Environment, 3rd Classified: Indian Wolf Pack By Siddhartha Ghosh

The Indian wolf, a subspecies of the gray wolf, is known for its playful and noisy behavior. However, their playful moments in the wild are becoming increasingly rare as their population is declining throughout the Indian subcontinent, to the point of being considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

#7 Animals In Their Environment, Honorable Mention: Between A Rock And A Hard Place By Hannes Lochner

In the dry season, a leopard sneaks past two elephants in an attempt to get a drink of water. The big cat is framed between the two giants, while one of them senses its presence. Surprisingly, the animals remain unperturbed and let the predator drink in peace just a few meters away.

#8 Animals In Their Environment, Honorable Mention: Stoat's Game By Jose Grandío

Jose had been following and observing this stoat for several days, when he suddenly showed unusual behavior, making jumps and strange expressions. According to scientists, these displays are interpreted as a distraction technique in the face of potential prey.

#9 Underwater Life, 1st Classified: Fish Eats Fish By Lilian Koh

In nature, it is common for fish to feed on other fish to survive, but this scene captured during a dive in Anilao, Philippines, shows extraordinary determination. The young grouper had been nearly swallowed whole by a lizardfish, but with incredible effort, it managed to break free and escape just moments after the photo was taken.

#10 Fascinating Faces And Characters, Honorable Mention: Queen's Platinum Jubilee By Hannah Mckay

Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Charles, Duchess of Cambridge, and her grandchildren Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, make a striking appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of Trooping the Colour parade, a significant celebration marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

#11 Animals In Their Environment, Honorable Mention: Friend Or Foe? By Hannes Lochner