The Best 15 Photographs Of 2024, As Shared By Siena International Photo Awards

The winners of the 2024 Siena International Photo Awards have been announced. Once again, we are excited to share a selection of the best images captured by photographers from around the globe.

As always, the awarded photographs are thought-provoking, with an especially powerful image, ‘Irreplaceable’ by Ali Jadallah, receiving the title of Photo of the Year. The description of the winning photograph, submitted by the author, reads: “Amidst the chaos and devastation left by Israeli airstrikes in the Ridwan neighborhood of Gaza City, an injured woman is overcome with grief beside the lifeless body of a loved one.”

Scroll down to explore the list of 2024 finalists, who earned titles in 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.

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15 PHOTOS

#1 Journeys & Adventures, 1st Classified: Honey Hunters 3 By Andrew Newey

The fearless Gurung tribesmen of Nepal, known as master honey hunters, brave dizzying heights of around 300 feet in the Himalayan foothills. Armed only with handmade rope ladders and long sticks called tangos, they risk life to collect precious honeycomb.

Pictolic reached out to Andrew Newey, the photographer behind the winning image depicting Gurung tribesmen of Nepal harvesting wild honey in the Himalayas. His photo, titled 'Honey Hunter 3,' was awarded 1st prize in this year’s SIPA Journey & Adventure category. We wanted to learn more about this captivating photograph, so we asked Newey what initially inspired him to document the honey hunters of Nepal and how he first connected with the Gurung tribesmen. The photographer shared with us: “I was drawn to photograph the honey hunters of Nepal after discovering a National Geographic documentary about them from the late '70s. Intrigued to find out if they were still practicing this ancient tradition, I headed to Nepal where I spent several weeks trying to track them down, and two weeks with them before, during, and after the hunt in the foothills of the Himalayas.”

#2 Sports In Action, 1st Classified: Teahupo'o - Wall Of Skulls By Ryan Pierse

In the turquoise waters of Teahupo'o, French Polynesia, Australian surfer Olivia Ottaway dives under a towering wave. Teahupo'o has been a legendary host to the WSL Tahiti Pro for over two decades, and it will set the stage for the prestigious surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

#3 Animals In Their Environment, Honorable Mention: Intimacy At Its Peak By Sethu Raj R

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

Andrew shared that he wasn’t aiming for any particular shot or perspective while capturing the honey harvest. Instead, his goal was to document "as much of the tradition as possible before it dies out."

#4 Animals In Their Environment, Honorable Mention: The Happy Turtle By Tzahi Finkelstein

A rare moment of harmony unfolds as a dragonfly gracefully lands on the nose of a turtle. Instead of seizing its prey, the turtle seems to enjoy the unexpected encounter, sharing a peaceful moment amidst the dim waters of the swamp.

#5 Documentary & Photojournalism, Remarkable Artwork: Attacks Lighting The Night By Ali Jadallah

In the Gaza Strip, smoke and flames fill the sky as Israeli illumination flares light up the night over the Al-Shati refugee camp on November 6, 2023.

'Honey Hunter 3' showcases a high-risk activity, with a man being lowered down the mountain to collect honey. Meanwhile, the photographer also had to endure extreme conditions to reach the location and capture the perfect shot. We were curious to know what Andrew considered the most difficult part of documenting such a daring tradition. He told us: “The most challenging part of the shoot was focusing the camera lens because the bees, the largest in the world, played havoc on the autofocus function. Manual focus was also made more difficult because of the sheer number of bees, most of them intent on unleashing their painful sting!”

#6 Underwater Life, 1st Classified: Whale Milk By Karim Iliya

During a dive, Karim seized the chance to capture an extraordinary image. He was documenting a rare phenomenon: the abandoned swirl of milk floating in the depths as the humpback whale calf missed it. Just as he prepared to resurface for air, he spotted the calf rising in the background. Suppressing his urge to breathe, Karim managed to capture a few photographs of this unique moment.

#7 Documentary & Photojournalism, 1st Classified: Irina - Ria Pizza Survivor By By Wojciech Grzedzinski

Amidst the chaos in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Region, Irina, a waitress at Ria Pizza, becomes trapped under rubble after a devastating Russian Iskander K missile. The bustling restaurant, a beloved gathering spot, falls victim to the horrors of war, claiming the lives of 13 civilians and leaving 61 others wounded.

Finally, Newey shared with us the most unforgettable moment he experienced while watching the honey hunters at work: “The most memorable moment whilst observing the honey hunters at work was when one of the ladder rungs the honey hunter was standing on broke near the top of the cliff; with no safety ropes whatsoever, a fall from this height would have resulted in his death. However, being so experienced he calmly clung on and proceeded to climb up to the next rung.

#8 Street Photography, 1st Classified: 72 By Ilvy Njiokiktjien

At 72 years old, Einar Njiokiktjien defies age with a backflip. As the global median life expectancy reaches 72 years, Earth's population is on the verge of becoming the oldest it has ever been. By 2030, 1 in 6 people will be over 60 years old, marking a historic shift in demographics.

#9 Street Photography, 2nd Classified: Typisch Männer By Josef Hinterleitner

Boys will be boys: their curiosity begins in childhood. As best friends Harald and Marcus glide through their hometown of Steyr, a poster on the city's outskirts ignites their imagination.

#10 Underwater Life, Honorable Mention: The Orchestra And Its Conductor By Manuel Castellanos Raboso

A bait ball of this size is a mesmerizing showcase of rhythm, lightning reflexes, and collaboration, all without central intelligence. Tightening into a compact mass to minimize volume, it can disperse and surround you in a split second as predators charge from the opposite side.

#11 Journeys & Adventures, Honorable Mention: Sang Hyang Jarang By Handi Laksono

Sang Hyang Jaran is a mesmerizing and sacred Balinese dance ritual, that blends mysticism with artistic expression. Originating from the island of Bali in Indonesia, this dance pays tribute to the mighty and compassionate spirits that reign over both the seen and unseen worlds.

#12 Storyboard, 1st Classified: Underwater Pollution By Pasquale Vassallo

In recent years, Pasquale has directed his focus towards studying the response of marine organisms to environmental pollutants, showcasing the results of his work in this portfolio. However, these images serve as mere windows into the extensive impact we impose on our oceans. Some shots reveal marine organisms grappling to adapt to the waste we discard. It's a stark reminder: our oceans are suffocating under the weight of plastic pollution, with projections suggesting it may outweigh marine life by 2050.

#13 Animals In Their Environment, 1st Classified: Men At Work By Karine Aigner

Amidst the chaos, male cactus bees (Diadasia rinconis) fiercely contend for the attention of a single female, engaged in a high-stakes battle for mating rights. In this dangerous dance of nature, only the strongest will seize their chance to mate.

#14 Animals In Their Environment, 2nd Classified: Bubble Netting By Scott Portelli

In their Antarctic feeding grounds, humpback whales gorge on fat-rich krill for months, building up their blubber reserves for the challenging journey to tropical breeding grounds. Using a remarkable technique known as 'bubble netting', they skillfully trap their prey with precision.

#15 Sports In Action, Honorable Mention: She Is Bagheera By Francesco Junior Mura

The starting line, the first hurdle—the moment brimming with anticipation and connection. Here, the unbreakable bond between human and dog is palpable, radiating through a magnetic gaze. Agility Dog embodies trust, respect, and unity.