Drone Photo Awards: A View From The Top
The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2021
Known for showcasing images that give viewers an insight into the world we live in, the annual Siena Awards aims to create awareness and understanding of that which is less familiar. Displaying three different photography contests – the Siena International Photo Awards, Creative Photo Awards, and Drone Photo Awards – entry is open to any and all with a photographer’s eye; professional and amateur, newcomers and seasoned experts. The contests are run by Art Photo Travel, a non-profit organisation which aims to create awareness of art, monuments, traditions, cultures and natural beauty from all around the world.
The Drone Photo Awards showcases a new emerging artform. Portraying a perspective that is little seen, drone photography, which has its history in more practical uses, has now become a creative outlet in its own right.Â
This year’s Drone Awards, which serve as the world’s main aerial photography competition, received tens of thousands of entries from 102 countries throughout the world. Broken down into eight categories (Urban, Wildlife, Nature, Sport, People, Wedding, Abstract, and Storyboard), photography from this year’s competition range from funeral processions in Bangladesh and hawthorn harvests in China, to the impacts of global warming and the journey of a green turtle after laying her eggs. 2021’s overall winner, Pink-Footed Geese Meeting the Winter by Terje Kolaas, shows a flock of geese arriving at their snow-covered breeding grounds in central Norway, their arrival early most likely due to climate change.
The shortlisted and winning entries will be exhibited at the Siena Awards in Siena, Italy from October 23rd till December 5th 2021. The following images are our favourites from those shortlisted.
Pink-Footed Geese Meeting the Winter by Terje Kolaas – Overall Winner
Levanger (Norway)
Thousands of Pink-footed Geese roost in central Norway in spring, on their way to the breeding grounds on Svalbard in the Arctics. Probably because of climate change, they arrive earlier every year and often the ground and the fields where they feed are covered by snow when they arrive. The geese tend to use the same paths, so when waiting for them in the air with a drone, photos like this one are possible.
Red Chillies Harvesting by Md Tanveer Hassan Rohan
Bogura (Bangladesh)
Women were shorting dry red chillies in a red chili pepper dry factory to preserve them . They get nearly $2 (160 BDT) after 10 hours of work and in some places they get less than this amount. Bogura’s chillies are famous around the country.
Cascate del Mulino by Christian Gatti
Saturnia (Italy)
An aerial view of tourists in the natural thermal pools, each one assuming a different position of relaxation.
Floating People by Raf Willems
Lake Las Vegas (USA)
This image shows people in inner-tubes while they are attending a concert on a floating stage.
Melting Ice Cap by Florian Ledoux
Svalbard (Norway)
In summer 2020, Svalbard archipelago has recorded the highest temperature ever since the start of meteorological records. The air temperature suddenly reached 21.7 degrees Celsius. This aerial image brings evidence of the amount of fresh water falling from the melting Austfonna ice cap, into the seawater. The average air temperature in Svalbard has increased by 3-5°C over the past five decades.
Back to Adventure by Qasim Al Farsi
Oman
Green turtle heading back to water after laying down eggs in her peaceful nest at Oman coastline between Ras Al Jinz and Rashad turtle reserve.
Camel Shadows at Sunset by Jim PicôtÂ
Stockton Beach (Australia)
Flying the drone over the ocean, I spotted the approaching Camels, with human guests on board, and noticed the beautiful light, and shadows, and also the eloquent wave patterns on the shoreline.
Space Invaders by Gilad Topaz
The Dead Sea (Israel)
White parasols at the beach of the Dead Sea. I was flying my drone at the beach when I noticed a field of parasols in a beautiful shape.
Basket Crops on the Cliff by Minqiang Lu
Taihang Mountain, Xinhui County, Henan Province (China)
Every autumn the red hawthorns are harvested. The villagers put the sliced hawthorn to dry on the cliff, which becomes a unique scenery in South Taihang.The ripe hawthorn not only brings the joy of harvest to the villagers, but also brings the gorgeous colours of Taihang Mountain.
To see more from the Siena Drone Photo Awards 2021 click hereÂ
