In the 2018 Siena International Photo Awards, there were over 48,000 submissions. The incredible photographers only made the judge's job more difficult with their breathtaking entries. The participants competed in 11 categories ranging from landscapes to sport snapshots. These photos show the diversity of the beautiful world we live in. Continue reading to see these awe-inspiring entires.
1. El Calbuco, Chile (The Beauty of The Nature Category: First Position)
The photographer took this mesmerizing photo during a violent night eruption of the Calbuco volcano in the Lagos region, Chile. The sharp colors mixed with lightning and volcanic explosions is incredibly breathtaking. Calbuco means blue water, according to the Mapuche language. This is inarguably Mother Nature at its absolute best.
2. Sharing Emotion (Fascinating Faces And Characters Category: Remarkable Award)
The photographer was able to capture a photo that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The boy is nestled among this heard of cattle that protect and comfort him. There are many impoverished places in the world, and people do not have a place to live or a family to take care of them. This photo shows the hardships of children around the world who are not always spoken for.
3. Arctic Fox, USA (Animals In Their Environment Category: Third Place)
The photographer found this fox scavenging a Caribou's carcass on the coastal plains of Alaska's Artic. The photographer spent two hours slowly stalking the animal so that it wouldn't get scared off, and he finally got the shot from six feet away. The fox had just finished her meal, and it was a rare moment caught on camera. The photographer became apart of the fox's world for only a few hours as she allowed him to approach her.
4. Cosmic Wildflowers, Brazil (Honorable Mention In The beauty of the nature Category)
When there is 180 º panorama, and the background is elevated with the milky way, the field of Paepalantus wildflowers glows like tiny lights. This unbelievable photo was taken in the National Park of Vaedeiros Tablelands. The area is located in the oldest geological part of the continent formed around 1.8 billion years ago. The park itself was created in 1961 to preserve the wildlife and land.
5. Rhino Silhouette, Kenya (Honorable Mention In Animals In Their Environment Category)
The photographer was riding out of camp early morning in Masai Mara National Park in search of the Great Migration when he saw this rhino standing beside a tree. He captured the photo at the exact moment the birds flew out of the tree like leaves flowing in the wind. Due to poaching and habitat loss, rhinos have become endangered, and they often don't survive outside of national parks, which is why it is such a rare sight to capture one on camera.
6. Underwater View Of The Winter Lofoten (Remarkable Award In The Beauty Of The Nature Categoty)
This underwater photo deserved to win an award as the water must be at freezing temperatures there. The photo was taken in northern Norway, where the winter colors are vibrant against the crisp white snow. At night, the Northern Lights flare across the sky with magnificent colors, and it is a stark contrast against the dark sky. The crystal clear waters are icy in the winter, but they thrive with plant and marine life.
7. Nemo In The House (Remarkable Award In Animals In Their Environment Category)
The clownfish is a magnificent creature that uses the anemone as protection. The clownfish is found in warm waters like the Indian Ocean, Great Barrier Reef, and the Indo-Malaysian region. They enjoy shallow seas and a protective reef. The photographer caught one emerging from the anemone, and it is a beautiful pop of color against the white background. For any other human or animal, the anemone stings, but for the clownfish, it cleans them.
8. Toy Houses, Russia (1st Place In Architecture & Urban Spaces Category)
The photographer was able to take a shot of Russian dachas near the city of Arkhangelsk. The white snow and the color of houses give off an intense contrast. It almost looks like a painting because of the unique colors and the number of homes in a small area. Everything is so symmetrical and colorful, which makes it such a unique landscape. Arkhangelsk is located in the northwestern region of Russia and sits near an exit to the White Sea.
9. The Wave, Antarctica Waters (3rd Place In Journeys And Adventures Category)
The photographer was able to capture this photo in the Drake Passage between Antarctica and Cape Horn. This 12-meter wave pounded the boat's forecastle, and thankfully, the photographer was ready with a camera. The dominant wave crashed against the ship, and, incredibly, the power of the ocean did not capsize the boat. The researchers on the ship are used to stormy seas, so this was a typical day on the job.