The most spectacular drone photos of 2024

A Polar Romance

The 2024 Siena Drone Photography Awards are inspired by the slogan 'Above Us Only Sky' and divided into nine categories. This photo is part of the animal category and shows polar bears sleeping right after a courtship ritual. Let's have a look at other finalists!

Photo: Florian Ledoux/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Drifting in Space

The use of drones has been a game changer for photography, allowing for incredible new perspectives on humanity and the wonders of Planet Earth. This photo, 'Drifting in space' was taken by 2024 finalist Gilad Topaz.

Image: 2024 Drone Photo Awards / Siena Awards

Apple Dream

This bright red photo falls into the wedding category, but somewhat echoes the polar bear one. Here, a couple is posing for wedding photos in a Polish town known for its apple orchards.

Photo: Tim Demski/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Boli Khela

This image of a century-old traditional wrestling competition in Bangladesh shows two people wrestling on a stage in front of an audience. The contest received submissions from 113 countries. This one is part of the Sports category.

Photo: Sanchayan Chowdhury/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Blika

This finalist in the Nature category shows how zooming out can turn vast landscapes into abstract art. This photo was taken in Iceland.

Photo: Brynjar Ágústsson/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Chain Lights of Cross-Country Skiers

Another entry to the Sports category, this photo captures the Bieg Piastów Worldloppet cross-country ski competition. During this part of the competition, participants wear headlamps, making the scene look like Christmas lights.

Photo: Daniel Koszela/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Cranberry Harvest

This one, falling in the People category, shows a birds-eye view of the annual fall cranberry harvest in Massachusetts.

Photo: Brad Weiner/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Elddrek / Fire Dragon

This stunning scene of lava taking the shape of a dragon was caught during the 2023 volcanic eruption of Fagradalsfjall at Litli-Hrútur in Iceland.

Photo: Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Love from Above

Couples getting married tend to splash out on a professional photographer, and sometimes the results can be stunning. Take this example of a pair of newlyweds smooching in a Volkswagen Beetle in Poland.

Photo: Joanna Zdancewicz/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Shepherd with Herd

In this photo, modern photography technology meets traditional practices in an amazing way. It shows a Bulgarian shepherd with his herd of the endangered Karakachani sheep breed.

Photo: Ivo Danchev/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Marching in the Salt Marsh

This photo, from the Abstract category, shows buffalo marching through a dried-up salt marsh in India.

Photo: Raj Mohan/ 2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

The Eye of the Dragon

Another dragon-themed photo taken in Iceland, this stunning landscape depicts a geothermal pool that resembles the eye of a dragon.

Photo: Miki Spitzer/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Ocean Clean Up

This photo has quite a sad backstory. It depicts a dead whale that was stranded on the shores of Perth, Australia for around four days. After it passed on, this tiger shark showed up to start the massive clean-up effort.

Photo: Toby Nicol/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Mariage au Sommet

This striking wedding photo was taken in France's Roquebrune rock, overlooking the Côte d'Azur. A spectacular feat on the part of the photographer, yes, but also the couple who had to make the hike in their wedding clothes. Worth it? Totally!

Photo: Alexandre Clair/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Rocket

The photographer patiently waited for the perfect weather conditions to snap this stunning photo of the tallest skyscraper in Europe... in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Photo: Yuriy Stolypin/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Pelicanos

This shot captures pelicans in a wetland in Sonora, Mexico. The dark sediment of the water allows these big white birds to stand out beautifully.

Photo: Guillermo Soberón/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Sea of Pink

Any idea what this is? If you guessed pink flamingos, you'd be right! This shot was taken of some of the 1 million birds that blocked for weeks to the saline Lake Logipi in Kenya.

Photo: Paul Mckenzie/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Tree of life

Yet another jaw-dropping photo of Iceland, this one shows how the nature of the country's highlands forms a tree-like pattern. Wow!

Photo: Isabella Tabacchi/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards

Walking for a New Life

This photo is closely related to current events, showing hundreds of migrants trekking through the dangerous Darien Gap jungle in hopes of reaching the United States.

Photo: Luis Acosta/2024 Drone Photo Awards/Siena Awards