Bored Panda reached out to SIPA organizers, and Marco Veneri responded to our questions about the competition.

As SIPA celebrates its tenth anniversary, we wondered how the competition evolved over the past decade in terms of participation, categories, and global reach. Marco shared: “Over the past decade, the number of participants has significantly increased. From its inception, the Siena Awards has attracted thousands of photographers from around the globe, and this number continues to grow each year. The competition now receives tens of thousands of entries annually, showcasing a diverse range of perspectives and talents.

Categories: The competition has expanded its categories to reflect the evolving landscape of photography. Initially, the Siena Awards started with a few broad categories, but over the years, it has introduced more specific and varied categories to cater to different styles and subjects. These include categories such as Architecture, Nature, People, Sport, and Storytelling, among others. This diversification has allowed for a richer and more comprehensive representation of the art form.

Global Reach: SIPA's global reach has also seen tremendous growth. The competition over the years included submissions from 194 countries, making it a truly international event. This worldwide participation has enhanced the cultural diversity and richness of the entries, providing a global platform for photographers to share their unique stories and viewpoints.

Overall, the Siena Awards has evolved into one of the most prestigious and widely recognized photography contests in the world, celebrating and promoting photographic excellence across all corners of the globe.”

Marco also shared some insights into the selection process for the Creative Photo Awards 2024 nominees.

“The selection process for the Creative Photo Awards 2024 nominees is meticulously designed to ensure that the highest standards of creativity and technical skill are recognized. Here are some key insights into the process:

Initial Screening: The process begins with an initial screening of all submissions by a team of pre-jurors. This team is responsible for filtering out any entries that do not meet the basic submission guidelines or quality standards. This step ensures that only the most promising and high-quality works are considered for further evaluation.

Evaluation by the Jury: After the initial screening, the shortlisted entries are reviewed by a panel of esteemed judges, who are experts in various fields of photography and the visual arts.

Criteria for Evaluation: The judges prioritize several key criteria when evaluating the submissions.”

Marco continued: “Creativity and Originality: Judges look for innovative and unique approaches to photography. They seek images that stand out for their originality and artistic vision.

Technical Excellence: This includes the quality of the composition, lighting, and overall technical execution of the photograph.

Emotional Impact: The ability of a photograph to evoke emotions and connect with the viewer is highly valued. Judges assess how effectively an image conveys its intended message or story.

Relevance to Theme: For category-specific awards, judges evaluate how well the submission aligns with the theme or subject matter of that particular category.

Overall Aesthetic Appeal: The visual beauty and aesthetic harmony of the photograph play a crucial role in the evaluation process.

Scoring and Deliberation: Each judge scores the entries based on the aforementioned criteria. The highest-scoring entries move on to the final round of deliberations, and they are voted again.

The aim is to honor the photographs that best exemplify creativity, technical excellence, and emotional impact.

The rigorous and comprehensive selection process ensures that the Creative Photo Awards 2024 recognizes and celebrates the most outstanding and innovative works in the field of fine art photography.”

While there is still time for the exhibitions, we asked Marco to share what attendees can expect from the event.

“Attendees of the exhibitions running from September 28 to November 24 can look forward to an immersive and inspiring experience that highlights the best in contemporary photography. Here’s what they can expect:

Diverse and Stunning Visual Displays: The exhibitions will feature a wide array of winning and nominated photographs from various categories. Each image will be displayed with high-quality prints that capture the intricate details and vibrant colors, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the photographers’ craftsmanship and artistic vision.

Additionally, talks and panel discussions featuring some of the photographers and judges are scheduled, providing further context and enriching the overall experience.

Increased Exposure: By showcasing the winning and nominated photographs in a prestigious and well-attended exhibition, the photographers gain significant exposure to a broad audience, including art enthusiasts, collectors, industry professionals, and the general public. This exposure can lead to further opportunities for the photographers, such as gallery representations, publications, and commissions.

Educational Impact: The exhibitions serve as an educational platform, offering insights into current trends, techniques, and narratives in photography. Attendees can learn about the artistic and technical aspects of the works, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the medium.

Cultural Dialogue: The exhibitions create a space for cultural dialogue and exchange, where visitors from diverse backgrounds can connect with the stories and perspectives presented in the photographs. This exchange enriches the cultural fabric of the community and broadens the impact of the photographers’ work.

Recognition and Prestige: Being part of such a high-profile event enhances the prestige and recognition of the winning and nominated photographers. It affirms their talent and contributions to the field of photography, boosting their credibility and reputation within the artistic community.

Overall, the exhibitions from September 28 to November 24 not only celebrate the achievements of the photographers but also contribute to a greater appreciation and understanding of contemporary photography as an art form,” explained Marco.

Regarding the future, Marco commented on their goals. “As Siena Awards looks to the future, our goals for the next decade are focused on expanding the competition's reach, fostering innovation, and continuing to inspire both photographers and audiences worldwide. Here are some of the key objectives and initiatives we plan to introduce:

Expanding Global Participation: We aim to further increase participation from photographers around the world, especially from underrepresented regions. By doing so, we hope to showcase a more diverse range of perspectives and cultural narratives in our competition.

Youth and Emerging Photographers: We are committed to supporting the next generation of photographers. To this end, we plan to introduce initiatives specifically aimed at youth and emerging photographers, such as mentorship programs, scholarships, and dedicated award categories. These efforts will help nurture new talent and provide them with the platform and resources they need to grow.

Innovative Exhibitions and Events: We aim to enhance the exhibition experience by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create immersive viewing experiences. Additionally, we plan to host more interactive events, workshops, and panel discussions that engage both photographers and audiences in meaningful dialogue.

Collaborations and Partnerships: Building strategic partnerships with cultural institutions, educational organizations, and technology companies will be key to our future plans. These collaborations will enable us to expand our reach, offer more resources to participants, and create new opportunities for showcasing photographic work.

By focusing on these goals and initiatives, we aim to ensure that Siena Awards remains at the forefront of the photography world, continually inspiring and challenging photographers while engaging a wide and diverse audience.”

Lastly, Marco added: “We invite all your readers to follow the Siena Awards on our social media channels and share their suggestions for new initiatives they’d like to see introduced. Their feedback is invaluable to us and helps us maintain a close connection with our audience. Our ultimate goal is to create a large, passionate family of photography enthusiasts who are eager to share their experiences and celebrate the art of photography together.

By following us on social media, you can stay updated on the latest news, events, and behind-the-scenes insights from the Siena Awards. Engaging with our content and sharing your ideas means you’re an integral part of our community, contributing to the ongoing dialogue that shapes the future of Siena Awards.

We look forward to hearing their thoughts and ideas as we strive to make each year better than the last. Together, let’s continue to build a vibrant community that comes together annually in the beautiful city of Siena to celebrate our shared love for photography.

Thank you, Bored Panda, for being a part of the SIPA family!”