The 2025 Siena Drone Photo Awards has unveiled its winners, celebrating exceptional aerial photography that captures breathtaking perspectives across diverse subjects including landscapes, wildlife, sporting events, and human ceremonies. German photographer Dennis Schmelz claimed the top honor with his stunning image "The Lone Horseman," which impressed judges with its unique composition and artistic vision.
Schmelz's award-winning photograph showcases a solitary rider positioned atop a rocky outcropping in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. The image was captured during the magical blue hour on the first evening of his winter journey to the region. Using drone technology, Schmelz achieved a dynamic and unprecedented perspective of this frequently photographed landscape. According to the Siena Awards organizers, Dennis successfully discovered a unique and breathtaking viewpoint that had never been captured before in this iconic location.
The competition featured eight photography categories plus an additional category dedicated to drone videography, attracting aerial photographers from around the globe. In the Urban category, Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi's powerful image "Swallowed" earned first place, depicting the Artemia pleasure boat stranded on the dried bed of Lake Urmia in Iran. This haunting photograph tells the story of environmental destruction, as years of drought and mismanaged water resources, including excessive agricultural use, led to the lake's death, leaving behind remnants of its former aquatic life.
Joanna Steidle claimed victory in the highly competitive Wildlife category with her remarkable photograph "Another World." Shot from directly above, the image captures a fever of cow nose rays as they split through a school of menhaden fish off the coast of Southampton, England, during the summer months. The top-down perspective reveals the natural drama and beauty of marine life in action.
The Sport category winner, Shimon Perlstein's "Running on Salt," presents a spectacular dawn view of runners participating in the Dead Sea Marathon. The photograph showcases the unique annual event where athletes from across the world gather in the Dead Sea Basin to compete in races at the lowest point on Earth. The aerial perspective transforms the familiar sporting event into an artistic composition.
Thibault Gerbaldi's "Aarti Under the Stars" won the People category, capturing the sacred Ganga Aarti ceremony at night in Varanasi. The image reveals the otherworldly spectacle of the nightly ritual, where numerous participants gather to take part in sacred ceremonies. From the aerial vantage point, the human gathering creates patterns and movements that are invisible from ground level.
Christopher Harrison secured the Nature category prize with "The Long Shadow," photographed on the first day of meteorological spring as sunlight filtered through early morning mist. The timing and atmospheric conditions combined to create a ethereal scene that demonstrates the power of drone photography to capture fleeting natural moments.
In the Abstract category, Pawel Zygmunt's winning image "The Eye" presents an unusual perspective of Hveravellir, a geothermal pool in Iceland. When viewed from above, the natural formation creates a striking optical illusion that resembles an animal's eye, transforming a landscape feature into an abstract artistic statement.
The Wedding category featured the work of husband-and-wife photography team Oliver and Steph Prince, whose image "Eloping Above the Clouds" captured a newlywed couple positioned on a hilltop in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The remote and beautiful location provided an ideal setting for an intimate elopement ceremony, with the aerial perspective emphasizing the couple's connection to the dramatic Scottish landscape.
Dipanjan Pal's series "The Great Color Study: Vietnam" won the Series category, offering an aerial exploration of traditional Vietnamese professions. The comprehensive photographic series documents occupations that have been passed down through generations for over 500 years, preserving cultural heritage through contemporary drone photography techniques.
The Video category was claimed by aerial videographer Fran Arnau with "The Soul of Bangladesh," which takes viewers on an emotionally powerful and visually striking journey through Bangladesh. The video explores the intricate connections between people's daily lives, their work, and the country's rich cultural history, demonstrating the storytelling potential of drone videography.
Beyond the category winners, each section also recognized runners-up and highly commended entries, showcasing the depth of talent in contemporary drone photography. All award-winning images and videos are available for viewing on the official Siena Drone Photo Awards website, providing a comprehensive gallery of the year's most outstanding aerial photography achievements.
