These images are basically like downloading a National Geographic magazine straight to your brain.
Every year, the Siena International Photo Awards brings together some of the world’s most amazing photographers. Their mission? Use the power of the photograph to encourage a greater understanding of the world’s places, populations, and people.
2017 saw thousands upon thousands of entries from photographers all around the world, and in October, the judges announced their winners. From sleepy bears to quiet treks across the snow, each of these images captures something astounding, magical, true, or important about the world.
Check out 10 of the winning shots below.
1. Overall Photo of the Year: “Sand Hill Cranes” by Randy Olson
2. First place, Journeys and Adventures: “At World’s End” by Alessandra Meniconzi
3. First place, Animals in Their Environment: “Attack” by Sergey Gorshkov
4. First place, General Color: “Protestor’s Eyes” by Jonathan Bachman
5. First place, The Beauty of the Nature: “Beast” by James Smart
6. First place, Fragile Ice: “Dreaming on Sea Ice” by Roie Galitz
7. First place, Sports in Action: “Great Britain Team” by Tim Clayton
8. First place, Fascinating Faces and Characters: “I’m Here” by Joao Taborda
9. First place, General Monochrome: “Crow of Lviv” by Jack Savage
10. First place, Architecture and Urban Spaces: “Book Temple III” by Hans-Martin Doelz
In his novel “Hat Full of Sky,” the late Sir Terry Pratchett wrote:
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors.”
Through showing the vast array of people, events, art, and creatures that populate our world, maybe this contest can help us understand what Pratchett was talking about. It may even inspire you to go see the world through new eyes yourself.
