Striking symmetrical portrait celebrating diversity wins Siena Creative Photo Award

 Portrait of an Afro-American woman wearing gold bangles
Portrait of an Afro-American woman wearing gold bangles

The Siena Creative Photo Awards competition, dedicated to artistic and creative photography, has crowned Aesthetics from Africa as its overall winner. Taken by Chinese photographer, Frank Zhang, it features the Afro-American model Sonia Barbie Tucker wearing gold bangles and eyeliner, which pop against her dark skin and dark background. It's a stunning tribute to the concept of beauty that highlights global aesthetic diversity through a beautifully lit portrait.

Photographers from 133 countries entered this year's competition, making it one of the most successful yet. All nine winning images from each category will be displayed at the I Wonder If You Can exhibition at the Magazzini del Sale in Palazzo Pubblico, nestled in the heart of Siena's iconic Piazza del Campo.

? Check out the best cameras for portraits, perfect capturing facial details and blurred backgrounds

Portrait of an Afro-American woman wearing gold bangles
Portrait of an Afro-American woman wearing gold bangles

Aesthetics from Africa – Overall winner (Image credit: Frank Zhang)

Among the category winners are Sound of Light and Glass, by Polish photographer Iwona Czubek, which shines in the Open Theme category. The Girl with the Spiky Hairstyle, by Italian photographer Giorgia Corniola, captivates audiences in the People category. Spanish photographer Lurdes Santander's White Beauty secures victory in the Animals category. German photographer Frank Loddenkemper's Capital Gate Tower Abu Dhabi claims the top spot in the Architecture category.

The Cake Kid, by Steven Herrschaft, came out on top in the wedding category, while Australian photographer Peter Lik captured the beauty of a lavender field at sunset in Spirit of the Universe, coming first in the Nature & Landscape category. Dutch photographer Cheraine Collette submitted Spotless Elegance, winning the Advertising category, and finally Canadian photographer Alexander Sviridov's Human Skull challenges perceptions and takes the crown in the Fine Art category.

Two men carrying a wedding cake made to look like a child is poking out of it
Two men carrying a wedding cake made to look like a child is poking out of it

Each of these winning images offers a unique perspective on the world, showcasing the incredible diversity of talent and vision in the field of photography. As the Siena Awards Photo Festival approaches, anticipation is building for a celebration of artistry and creativity that promises to captivate audiences from around the world.

The festival will feature major solo exhibitions by three renowned photographers including William Albert Allard, who will offer a retrospective on his remarkable 50-year journey as a writer and photographer for National Geographic.

Brian Skerry, a celebrated photojournalist and film producer, will showcase his expertise in marine wildlife and underwater environments, while Gabriele Galimberti, an intriguing photographer from Arezzo, will delve into the intricate relationship between the United States and firearms. These three artists will join the two collective exhibitions from Siena Awards, featuring captivating photos and videos from around the globe.

The I Wonder If You Can showcase will run throughout the entire duration of the Siena Awards Photo Festival, which will take place from September 30 to November 19. Head to the Siena Creative Photo Awards website to see the complete winners gallery.

Image 1 of 4

A leopard laying across a BMW
A leopard laying across a BMW

Image 2 of 4

Sunset over a lavender field with a singular tree
Sunset over a lavender field with a singular tree

Image 3 of 4

Still life image of vases
Still life image of vases

Image 4 of 4

Skull shape made up of human bodies
Skull shape made up of human bodies

You might also be interested in the best lenses for portraits, as well as these portrait photography tips, for pixel-perfect people pics.