Each year, the World Photography Organisation celebrates the very best images and photographers on the planet with the Sony World Photography Awards.

We've recently highlighted some of the shortlisted images from the student and youth competitions, but now the finalists have been revealed before the winners are chosen in April.

55 countries have taken part in this year's competition at the national level, while for the overall competition, 415,000 images from over 200 countries have been submitted.

The overall winners of the Student, Youth, Open and Professional competitions will be revealed on 13 April with images being exhibited at Somerset House, London from 14 April until 1 May.

In the meantime here is a selection of this year's finalists:

Emovere

 Valentina Fusco, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
Valentina Fusco, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Emovere
  • Photographer Name: Valentina Fusco
  • Country: Italy
  • Year: 2023

Emovere by Valentina Fusco has been selected as one of the finalists for the professional competition, under the creative category. It is part of a series of images designed to tell a story about migration.

"This photographic story was born out of a need to try to understand the most intimate, emotional and multifaceted meaning of migration: looking at my family, who emigrated to northern Italy after World War 2, and at myself, who left Genoa and arrived in Buenos Aires, a city that last century saw the arrival of millions of Italians in search of a better future."

Fulu Act

 Colin Delfosse, Belgium, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
 Colin Delfosse, Belgium, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Fulu Act
  • Photographer Name: Colin Delfosse
  • Country: Belgium
  • Year: 2023

Here's another finalist from the professional competition, this time an interesting example of portraiture by photographer Colin Delfosse. In a series of images called "Fulu Act", Delfosse has shown the hardships of the poor neighbourhoods in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, where single-use plastics and waste are clogging up the environment.

"On the streets of the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, artists raise awareness of the challenges the city is facing. The explosion of this megalopolis and its inhabitants’ increasing needs have led to a massive increase in the import of consumer goods and a significant appetite for single-use plastic, creating environmental havoc.

Poor neighbourhoods suffer the most, and in this increasingly degraded environment a group of artists question the profusion of consumer goods and rubbish by recycling them into costumes. Gathered in a collective, they re-embody their city by creating contemporary myths and performing in the street, condemning societal issues such as a lack of healthcare, pollution, deforestation and overconsumption."

New Ways to the Future

 Simone Tramonte, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Environment, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
Simone Tramonte, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Environment, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: New Ways to the Future
  • Photographer Name: Simone Tramonte
  • Country: Italy
  • Year: 2023

Some of these photos tell a powerful story about the world around us. Simone Tramonte's images are shortlisted in the environment category for the professional competition. These show some of the things humankind is doing to combat the damage we've done to the environment.

"Climate change is the greatest threat the world is currently facing. The challenge that lies ahead requires us to change our perspective and redesign humanity, so it is no longer separate from its ecosystem, but one with the planet it inhabits. The EU has set targets to cut emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, and to reduce them to net-zero by 2050. Renewable energies, new technologies for food production and the circular economy are key solutions for achieving these Green Deal goals, and many revolutionary seeds have already been planted across Europe to make the future sustainable for the next generations. The net-zero transition has already started and is set to be the next industrial revolution: these innovative technologies lead the way towards climate neutrality, inspiring a virtuous model that will generate a new and sustainable cycle of life."

Stal - Vernacular Animal Sheds

 Servaas Van Belle, Belgium, Finalist, Pro competition, Architecture & Design, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
Servaas Van Belle, Belgium, Finalist, Pro competition, Architecture & Design, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Stal - Vernacular Animal Sheds
  • Photographer Name: Servaas Van Belle
  • Country: Belgium
  • Year: 2023

There is quite a range of images in this year's competition, including some unusual professional-level architecture photos like these ones of livestock shelters in the countryside.

These photos by Servaas Van Belle have been selected as some of the finalist photos and show some interesting views of weather-beaten buildings in thick fog.

"Livestock shelters in fields are so common in the Belgian landscape that nobody pays them much attention, but the countryside offers a range of architectural gems in many shapes, materials and colours."

Our War

 Edgar Martins, Portugal, Finalist, Professional competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
Edgar Martins, Portugal, Finalist, Professional competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Our War
  • Photographer Name: Edgar Martins
  • Country: Portugal
  • Year: 2023

These professional images by Edgar Martins tell a hard story of loss through the means of portraiture.

"In 2011, my dear friend and the photojournalist, Anton Hammerl, travelled to Libya to cover the conflict between pro-regime and anti-Gaddafi forces. On 5 April he was forcefully abducted and killed by government militia. Frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation to find his mortal remains, in 2022 I took matters into my own hands and travelled to Libya.

This previously unseen body of work is structured as a self-portrait of Anton Hammerl through the people he photographed and met, and others involved in the conflict (freedom fighters or their descendants, ex-militia, local residents, Gaddafi loyalists or lookalikes, and so on). They were selected because they resembled him, espoused similar ideas and beliefs, or reminded me of him at different stages of our friendship. This project portrays a complex story, warped by absence, that talks of the difficulty of documenting, testifying, witnessing, remembering, honouring and imagining."

Inside the Hamar Weyne Fish Market

 Tariq Zaidi, UK, Finalist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
Tariq Zaidi, UK, Finalist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Inside the Hamar Weyne Fish Market
  • Photographer Name: Tariq Zaidi
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Year: 2023

This shortlisted image from the documentary and projects category shows a view of the incredibly busy Hamar Weyne fish market, Mogadishu. It's a vital part of the economy and a challenge for the locals, especially in hard times:

"The Hamar Weyne fish market, in the heart of Mogadishu, is a vital hub for the fish trade. Located just a few metres from the old port, it is the busiest and most important fish market in the city, with hundreds of fishermen relying on it to sell their catch. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing civil war and a lack of investment in the sector, the market remains a key source of employment and economic activity."

In Memoriam: Muralla Roja

 Andres Albajar, Spain, Finalist, Pro competition, Architecture & Design, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
Andres Albajar, Spain, Finalist, Pro competition, Architecture & Design, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: In Memoriam: Muralla Roja
  • Photographer Name: Andres Gallardo Albajar
  • Country: Spain
  • Year: 2023

These colourful and striking photos by Andres Gallardo Albajar have been shortlisted in the architecture and design category and show the magnificent structures of the Muralla Roja apartment complex in Spain. Both the images and the architecture are award-winning or should be in our minds.

"Designed by Ricardo Bofill, the Muralla Roja apartment complex is one of the most iconic pieces of Spanish architecture. Over the years I have revisited this place to photograph it again and again. On my last visit, in December 2021, my goal was to create a totally different series by capturing the Muralla Roja during the day, at sunset, at night and at sunrise. I started shooting very early in the morning and continued well into the night. I then woke early to experience an unforgettable sunrise. Sadly, Bofill passed away just a few weeks after my visit, so I consider this series to be a personal tribute to him and his legacy."

Loss and Damage

 Fabio Bucciarelli, Italy, Finalist, Professional competition, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
Fabio Bucciarelli, Italy, Finalist, Professional competition, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards 202
  • Image Name: In Memoriam: Loss and Damage
  • Photographer Name: Fabio Bucciarelli
  • Country: Italy
  • Year: 2023

The professional landscape category is another part of this year's awards that is unusual and tells a harrowing story. This is one of a series of images called "Loss and Damage" by Fabio Bucciarelli which tells a story of hardship, damage and tough times in Sudan.

"South Sudan has been plagued by political violence and instability since its independence from Sudan in 2011. Now it is experiencing massive floods for the fourth consecutive year. Since 2019, unprecedented rainy seasons have submerged large parts of the country’s landscape. Heavy rains and floods have swept away people’s homes, properties, crops, livestock, schools and healthcare centres, and caused extensive infrastructural damage to roads and bridges. The climate crisis is bringing further challenges to this already vulnerable country."

FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship

 Ronald Hoogendoorn, Netherlands, Shortlist, Pro competition, Sport, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
Ronald Hoogendoorn, Netherlands, Shortlist, Pro competition, Sport, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship, 2022
  • Photographer Name: Ronald Hoogendoorn
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Year: 2023

The shortlisted images from the sports category include some impressive shots of feats of human athleticism like this photo of a volleyball champion in action.

"In 2022, the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship was held in the Netherlands and Poland with unprecedented success. Twenty four teams took part, playing across six venues in the Netherlands and Poland, starting in the GelreDome Arena, a football stadium converted into a volleyball temple. Serbia ultimately took the gold medal, with silver going to Brazil and Italy winning bronze."

Africa Blues

 Delille & Piermartiri, Italy, Finalist, Pro competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
Delille & Piermartiri, Italy, Finalist, Pro competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Africa Blues
  • Photographer Name: Edoardo Delille & Giulia Piermartiri
  • Country: Italy
  • Year: 2023

A lot of the photos in awards are already pretty creative and fascinating in their own right, but the professional creative category is particularly special. This image, for example, is part of a collection called "Africa Blues" which includes posed portraits against backdrops that have been projected onto the surrounding walls.

"What will the atlas that future generations study look like? How can a photograph show the future? Due to climate change, some of the most radical transformations to the world map will be visible in just a few decades. Our idea was to find a way to show what the landscape might look like in some places at the end of the century, compared to the world we live in today.

Mozambique is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries. Droughts, floods and sudden storms are episodes that now alternate and repeat themselves every year, radically altering the morphology of the landscape. Using a special slide projector, we physically projected an image of the landscape’s possible transformation onto the land itself. The result is a series of complex and dreamlike photographs that become a metaphoric projection of a not-too-distant future."

Coming Home

 Sasha Maslov, Ukraine, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
Sasha Maslov, Ukraine, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Coming Home
  • Photographer Name: Sasha Maslov
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Year: 2023

This series of finalist photos from the portraiture category shows another hard time experienced by many. Everyday lives are ruined by war and people are shown in the wrecked homes of Ukraine.

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine has become a particularly brutal affair because of the heavy civilian losses and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than 100,000 buildings have been destroyed and civilian casualties are impossible to calculate. The indiscriminate bombing of apartment blocks and residential neighbourhoods all over the country, as well as railway stations, public transport hubs, and shopping malls, have shown the unprecedented brutality of the Russian Army.

Tragically, as the war continues, people living in Ukraine are getting used to it. While they continue to fight, many are trying to return to their routines, with the war becoming a haunting background to their daily lives. And, as some territories return to Ukrainian control, they reveal the atrocities and destroyed homes left behind."

Portfolio

 Marylise Vigneau, France, Finalist, Professional competition, Portfolio, Sony World Photography Awards 2023_1
Marylise Vigneau, France, Finalist, Professional competition, Portfolio, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Portfolio
  • Photographer Name: Marylise Vigneau
  • Country: France
  • Year: 2023

This image is part of a portfolio collection of brilliant photographs selected as one of the finalists for this year's competition. Each tells its own unique story, but this one piqued our curiosity.

"In 2022, much of the world reopened, and I could finally continue some of my long-term projects that had been interrupted by the Covid crisis. These images are a collection of contrasting moments found on the way: a Cuban actress shines in the Havana night; a woman about to turn 100 recalls the Soviet famine that took her father; a young girl crowned with dandelions embodies the spirit of youth. 2022 was a cruel year in many ways, but the possibility of encountering people again and listening to their stories was genuine solace."

These are just some of the finalists for 2023. Be sure to check out the full collection of professional images here.

The following are some of the winners from the national awards and previous winners too.

Slow Motion

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Lee Jongkee, Korea, Republic Of, 3rd Place, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Slow Motion
  • Photographer Name: Lee Jongkee
  • Country: Republic of Korea
  • Year: 2023

Lee Jongkee's underwater photo is the third-place winner for the Republic of Korea in the national awards. This striking image is awesome in its own right, but at a glance, it looks like they've managed to capture a mermaid on camera.

"Sometimes, watching a still diver can be beautiful."

Forest Entrance

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Gyu Seob Shim, Korea, Republic Of, 1st Place, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Forest Entrance
  • Photographer Name: Gyu Seob Shim
  • Country: Republic of Korea
  • Year: 2023

This photo by Gyu Seob Shim was selected as the first-place winner for the Republic of Korea and is wonderfully striking. We like the juxtaposition of nature in the foreground and the man-made jungle in the background.

"I spotted this person riding their bicycle on the bike path next to the Yangjaecheon, a small river in Seoul. The path was surrounded by trees that were so dense the road could not be seen, so it felt like he was riding into a deep forest."

Family Donation

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Si Thu Ye Myint, Myanmar, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Family Donation
  • Photographer Name: Si Thu Ye Myint
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Year: 2023

Many of these photos are not just examples of good photographers, but also wonderful views of an often distant country, its pastimes and traditions. This is the winning image from Myanmar for this year's competition, showing a simple view of villagers bathed in orange.

"This image was captured in Myin Twin Village, in upper Myanmar."

Ballet in the Park

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Oscar Seguel Mangiola, Chile, Shortlist, Latin America National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Ballet in the Park
  • Photographer Name: Oscar Seguel Mangiola
  • Country: Chile
  • Year: 2023

This image highlights not only a talented photographer but a skilled ballerina too. It was shortlisted in this year's National awards and shows a dancer somehow in flight. We like that it looks like she's trying to grab onto the street light in mid-jump.

"This photograph was taken using available light at Santa Maria Park in Santiago, Chile. The ballerina is in her fifth year at the Ballet School of the Municipal theatre of Santiago."

Slow Walk

895_2149_ManuelRodriguez_CostaRica_NationalAwards_2023
Manuel Rodríguez, Costa Rica, Shortlist, Latin America National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Slow Walk
  • Photographer Name: Manuel Rodriguez
  • Country: Costa Rica
  • Year: 2023

Manuel Rodriguez's photograph of a tree frog was selected as a shortlisted photo for the National Awards. A brilliantly simple and yet magnificently eye-catching photograph of local wildlife in action.

"A red-eyed tree frog walks slowly through the rainforest in northern Costa Rica."

Man and Nature

907_2161_HernanJaramillo_Colombia_NationalAwards_2023
Hernan Jaramillo, Colombia, Shortlist, Latin America National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Man and Nature
  • Photographer Name: Hernan Jaramillo
  • Country: Colombia
  • Year: 2023

This shortlisted photograph is unusual not just because of its intriguing subject matter but also because the photographer Hernan Jaramillo is actually from Colombia while the image was snapped in Turkey.

"Man and nature, a scene in Pamukkale, Turkey."

Dynamic Athlete

789_2043_SandraHandschin_Switzerland_NationalAwards_2023
Sandra Handschin, Switzerland, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Dynamic Athlete
  • Photographer Name: Sandra Handschin
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Year: 2023

Sandra Handschin is the national winner from Switzerland with an eye-catching photo that shows an athlete in action in an unusual way.

"To demonstrate the dynamic nature of this young Swiss athlete I worked with water splashes and gelled lights."

Knights

791_2045_OdayShanshal_UnitedArabEmirates_NationalAwards_2023
Oday Shanshal, United Arab Emirates, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Knights
  • Photographer Name: Oday Shanshal
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • Year: 2023

From the United Arab Emirates is this award-winning image with some impressive horseback action. Another interesting view of a different culture with perfect perspective.

"This photograph was taken in November 2022 at a horse festival in Morocco. The picture was taken using a slow shutter speed, while panning the camera to follow the movement of the knights."

Glare of a Predator

793_2047_RajeevAbeysekara_SriLanka_NationalAwards_2023
Rajeev Abeysekara, Sri Lanka, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Glare of a Predator
  • Photographer Name: Rajeev Abeysekara
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Year: 2023

From manmade views to portraits to shots of dangerous wildlife, the National Awards seemingly have it all. This is the winning photo from Sri Lanka and it's easy to see why it was chosen.

"During a game drive in Sri Lanka’s Kumana National Park I came across this magnificent Sri Lankan leopard resting in a tree, staring at us through the branches. It was an unforgettable encounter."

The Captivating Eyes

801_2055_ProtapShekhorMohanto_Bangladesh_NationalAwards_2023
Protap Shekhor Mohanto, Bangladesh, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: The Captivating Eyes
  • Photographer Name: Protap Shekhor Mohanto
  • Country: Bangladesh
  • Year: 2023

We thoroughly enjoy photographs like this that give wildlife an unusual and quirky personality. It seems that the judges do too, as this photo was selected as the national winner for Bangladesh:

"This spotted owlet was photographed from a hide at the National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh. During the day these amazing birds tend to hide in nests made in the holes of tree trunks, but they sometimes peep out to observe their surroundings with their captivating yellow eyes."

Ski Jumper Above Fans

871_2125_AndrejTarfila_Slovenia_NationalAwards_2023
Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia, Shortlist, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Ski Jumper Above Fans
  • Photographer Name: Andrej Tarfila
  • Country: Slovenia
  • Year: 2023

This photo's perspective seems to show that the skier is about to tumble down dangerously into the crowd below. We love it though, as the mix of colours, angle and action really paints a picture. The judges selected this one as a shortlisted photo for Slovenia.

"A ski jumper soars above fans at a contest in Planica, Slovenia."

The Jetty

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Eng Tong Tan, Malaysia, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: The Jetty
  • Photographer Name: Eng Tong Tan
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Year: 2023

In the cold of winter, this far-off view of a distant land with a brilliant blue sky is highly appealing. It's also an intriguing peaceful space in an otherwise busy world. This photo by Eng Tong Tan was chosen as the winner for Malaysia in this year's national awards.

"A 132-second long exposure of the jetty at Desaru, Malaysia."

Turtle Dream

819_2073_ThinNguynNgc_Vietnam_NationalAwards_2023
Thiện Nguyễn Ngọc,Vietnam, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Turtle Dream
  • Photographer Name: Thiện Nguyễn Ngọc
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Year: 2023

These beautiful Malaysian waters offer some wonderfully crystal clear views of what's happening below. In this instance a swimmer and a little local wildlife. This one was chosen as the winner for Vietnam.

"A female diver glides peacefully alongside a friendly sea turtle off the coast of Perhentian Island, Malaysia, a harmonious coexistence between human and nature."

Convergence

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Dávid Balogh, Hungary, Shortlist, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Convergence
  • Photographer Name: Dávid Balogh
  • Country: Hungary
  • Year: 2023

A moment of celebration captured on camera during the 2022 World Aquatics Championships goes on to be selected as a shortlisted image in the 2023 National Awards. Despite the Brazilian flag though, it's actually Hungary that's in the limelight here.

"Team Brazil competes in the preliminaries of the women’s team highlight artistic swimming event during the 2022 World Aquatics Championships at the Alfréd Hajós National Swimming Stadium, Budapest."

Traditional Dress

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Mansoor Mohsen, Saudi Arabia, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Traditional Dress
  • Photographer Name: Mansoor Mohsen
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Year: 2023

Saudi Arabia's winning photo by Mansoor Mohsen shows a lady in the traditional dress of the region. A powerful and beautiful portrait backdropped by nature.

"A girl in traditional dress in a region of Saudi Arabia."

Portal of Night

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Filip Hrebenda, Slovakia, Shortlist, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Portal of Night
  • Photographer Name: Filip Hrebenda
  • Country: Slovakia
  • Year: 2023

We're big fans of astronomy photographs and the judges of the World Photography Awards clearly are too. This photograph by Filip Hrebenda was selected as a shortlisted photograph for Slovakia in the national awards.

"Winter in the mountains has its charm, even at night. The patterns formed in the frozen lakes are natural artworks in their own right, and help the creativity of the artist who is trying to capture them. This photograph was taken in early winter in Tatra National Park, Slovakia."

Untitled

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Erhan Coral, Turkey, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Untitled
  • Photographer Name: Erhan Coral
  • Country: Turkey
  • Year: 2023

This photograph is this year's winner for Turkey and certainly shows a view of cold snow, hot springs and man and beast together in the world in a way you wouldn't normally see.

"The famous hot springs at Güroymak, Bitlis, Turkey. The hot springs maintain a temperature of about 40℃, even when the outside temperature is as low as -14℃."

Iceberg

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Huazheng Hong, Singapore, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Iceberg
  • Photographer Name: Huazheng Hong
  • Country: Singapore
  • Year: 2023

Sometimes it takes an award-winning photo to remind us of how small we really are. Here we see an enormous iceberg towering well above the ship nearby. Huazheng Hong's photo is this year's winner for Singapore.

"The Ilulissat icebergs off Greenland’s coast lend perspective to the staggering immensity of the distant ice walls, which stretch for several kilometres and can be as tall as a one-hundred-storey skyscraper. That is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’, though. The glaciers extend well below the water, to an average depth of 2,100 metres, and discharge more ice into the global oceanic current than any other glacier in the Northern Hemisphere."

Lapland

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Roberto Pavić, Croatia, Winner, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Lapland
  • Photographer Name: Roberto Pavić
  • Country: Croatia
  • Year: 2023

Lapland is well-known for its incredible snowy views and this photo is no different. It certainly paints a picture of a magical place like no other.

"Moonrise in Lapland, Finland."

Wonderland

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Yawar Abbas, Pakistan, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: Wonderland
  • Photographer Name: Yawar Abbas
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Year: 2023

There are a number of beautiful images of snowy lands that made it into the category of national award winners. This peaceful scene comes out of Pakistan and shows a lone person strolling wonderfully through the snowy landscape.

The Peaceful Morning

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Kyujin Jeong, Korea, Republic Of, 2nd Place, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2023
  • Image Name: The Peaceful Morning
  • Photographer Name: Kyujin Jeong
  • Country: Korea
  • Year: 2023

There's some wonderful wildlife photography buried in these national awards and each tells and interesting story about the country they're from. This photograph won third place for the Republic of Korea but was actually snapped in Japan.

"It was a foggy November morning at Nara Park in Nara, Japan, when I photographed the autumn leaves and grazing deer. It was so peaceful."

Previous winners

These are just a selection of the winners from the 2023 National & Regional Awards. We'd recommend checking out the full gallery to see more of the awesome winners.

Below are some of the superb winners from previous years.

Autumn Float

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 2
© Saowanee Suntararak, Thailand, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Autumn Float
  • Photographer Name: Saowanee Suntararak
  • Country: Thailand
  • Year: 2021

Taken near Mount Fuji in Japan, this wonderful photo shows a lone leaf floating down to earth with a staggering, peaceful and serene backdrop.

"Autumn season at Lake Kawaguchi in Japan. Mount Fuji with autumn leaves is very popular in the photographers, and I love taking photo in this season, too."

Colour Theory

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 3
© Azelda Olivier, South Africa, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Colour Theory
  • Photographer Name: Azelda Olivier
  • Country: South Africa
  • Year: 2021

Some of the images submitted to the awards are part of an artist's own project. In this case, one used to break the norm of gender stereotypes:

"This photograph was taken for a project on colour theory; the objective of this photograph was to use a warm colour palette. My aim was to explore colour further by considering its socially constructed meaning. Pink is a colour that is often associated with femininity, and through this image, I aimed to blur the lines between gender stereotypes such as this."

An Iron Balloon's Dream

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 4
© Shai Apeloig, Sweden, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: An Iron Balloon's Dream
  • Photographer Name: Shai Apeloig
  • Country: Sweden
  • Year: 2021

We love this image by Swedish entrant and winner Shai Apeloig. It seems to be an otherworldly view of a metal ball floating just above the surface of a snow-covered desolate landscape.

"Inspired by the expressionist movement, I tried to convey a subjective experience with this image, rather than an objective reality. The image was created by taking individual shots of an oxidised iron structure and recomposing them later into a balloon-like image. During production, I gradually rediscovered and recreated the composition."

Hard Life

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 5
© Naif Albugami, Saudi Arabia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Hard Life
  • Photographer Name: Naif Albugami
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Year: 2021

An intriguing vision of a man in a fancy suit sadly sitting on a rusting wreck of a car. The image is actually intended as a visually commentary on the current circumstances:

"...This photo was taken to convey a feeling of despair and everything that we have in life has stopped due to the pandemic."

Long-tailed Macaque

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 6
© Yoganathan Yoke, Malaysia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Long-tailed Macaque
  • Photographer Name: Yoganathan Yoke
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Year: 2021

A simple yet fantastic photo of a monkey chilling out in a tree but looking up in a way that makes it look like he's contemplating some great philosophical thought.

"This photograph of a long-tailed macaque, also known as the crab-eating macaque, was taken in the mangrove forest of Kuala Gula, Perak. I went there one evening, hoping to photograph birds or snakes, when I saw a group of macaques foraging in the mud for their last meal of the day. A ray of light from the sunset fell on this macaque just as it looked up. I felt it looked like a gesture of hope for the future."

Wrong Place Wrong Time

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 7
© Murray Chant, New Zealander, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Wrong Place Wrong Time
  • Photographer Name: Murray Chant
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Year: 2021

This black and white image appears to show what looks like a bomb protruding from the mud, but it's actually an unusual piece of ice.

"This piece of ice had rolled around in the shallows until it assumed a worn and organic form. I photographed it at dusk and lit it from below."

Foggy Morning Fishing

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 8
© Min Min Zaw, Myanmar, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Foggy Morning Fishing
  • Photographer Name: Min Min Zaw
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Year: 2021

Some of these images give the viewer a glimpse into a different way of life in far off lands. In this case a peaceful view of nature with man and boy working hard to provide for themselves.

"This scene shows a father and son catching fish early one winter morning. In Myanmar, children work with their parents to bring in an income for the whole family"

Fertility

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 9
© S. Muramatsu, Japan, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Fertility
  • Photographer Name: S. Muramatsu
  • Country: Japan
  • Year: 2021

An incredibly serene view that appears almost too perfect to be real. Maybe we're just cynical because our clouds are usually rain clouds.

"This picture aims to represent fertility, with floating clouds, wheat fields, snow fields and the earth."

Glowing Mushroom

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 10
© Janis Palulis, Latvia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Glowing Mushroom
  • Photographer Name: Janis Palulis
  • Country: Latvia
  • Year: 2021

A couple of mushrooms glowing in the Latvian forests. A perfectly normal photo or the work of a skilled photographer? We suspect the latter. Still, we wouldn't risk eating them either way.

Portrait of a Toymaker

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 11
© Simas Bernotas, Lithuania, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Portrait of a Toymaker
  • Photographer Name: Simas Bernotas
  • Country: Lithuania
  • Year: 2021

This photo is a wonderful homage to crafts, hobbies and talented workmen of days gone by. Of trades that have mostly faded into obscurity but are still held onto by a select few:

"Ancient crafts are imbued with the wisdom of previous generations, with each nation having its own tales and myths about them. For this series, I captured Lithuanian crafters with a mystical spirit in an attempt to show them as devoted caretakers of declining traditions. This image is one of many from that project."

Fox Portrait

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 12
© Davide Giannetti, Italy, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Fox Portrait
  • Photographer Name: Davide Giannetti
  • Country: Italy
  • Year: 2021

We always have a fondness for these kinds of wildlife photographs. Managing to catch a shot of a wild animal looking perfectly into the camera must be challenging and require endless patience. This one wonderfully captures the majesty of this red fox.

"Following a hard rainfall in the National Park of Abruzzo, I spotted this wild red fox looking for food."

Foggy Farming

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 13
© Thoedoros Apeiranthitis, Greece, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Fox Portrait
  • Photographer Name: Davide Giannetti
  • Country: Italy
  • Year: 2021

A magically foggy mountain top offers up a quaint view in the form of a gang of sheep just casually hanging about on the slopes.

"At 1,003m, Mount Zas (or Zeus) dominates the Greek island of Naxos. One day in early April, I decided to make my way to the top. By the time I was halfway up, the fog had become so dense it completely obscured the base of the mountain, making me feel as if I was flying. I noticed a small herd of sheep grazing peacefully in this strange environment. I took a shot before moving on and becoming lost in the fog."

Back to beginning III

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 14
© Höije Nuuter, Estonia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Back to beginning III
  • Photographer Name: Höije Nuuter
  • Country: Estonia
  • Year: 2021

We're not really sure what the inspiration for this photo was, but we love it and the judges clearly did too as it was selected as one of the winners for this year. The accompanying blurb from photographer Höije Nuuter doesn't go any further to unveiling the mystery behind it.

"The ball in this image was originally a Christmas decoration. I couldn’t find a pure matte-white ball in the shops, so I painted one instead, then took a series of images in a quarry, and made a composite of them in Photoshop."

Driving Through the Ice Forest

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 15
© Tomislav Veic, Croatia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Driving Through the Ice Forest
  • Photographer Name: Tomislav Veic
  • Country: Croatia
  • Year: 2021

This phone belongs on our list of the best drone photos ever taken. A fantastic aerial view of a white winter wonderland.

"After the first snowfall towards the end of 2020, I took my camera to the largest old-growth forest in Croatia. This road runs through it."

Oydis and Gunnar

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 16
© Emil Wieringa Hildebrand, Norway, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Oydis and Gunnar
  • Photographer Name: Emil Wieringa Hildebrand
  • Country: Norway
  • Year: 2021

Another award-winning photo with very little in the way of explanation. This one certainly intrigued us though and apparently, it caught the judge's eye too.

"Last picture from a personal shoot this October. 2020 feels like we're all just bumping our heads against a big wall together."

Horse Against Black Background

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 17
© Michaela Steiner, Austria, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Horse Against Black Background
  • Photographer Name: Michaela Steiner
  • Country: Austria
  • Year: 2021

We love this photo for the level of detail picked up by the camera including the perfection of the horse's hairs and the stillness of its gaze.

"I photographed this beautiful horse in the entrance to its stable, using only natural light and a black background."

Post-Lockdown Cigarette, in the Cold Rain of June

Incredible photos from the National Sony World Photography Awards 2021 photo 18
© Lauriane Bieber, France, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Post-Lockdown Cigarette, in the Cold Rain of June
  • Photographer Name: Lauriane Bieber
  • Country: France
  • Year: 2021

This simple image of a man smoking tells a longer story of friendship and a passion for photography.

"This photograph is a story of first times. The first time I shot my dear friend Léo, that I only had met once in my life about ten years ago. The first time I went outside after three months. The first friend I met after the lockdown. The first time I worked with a model so brave and so dedicated to art and creation. The first time I felt how much photography was important to me."

Victor Gui (Singapore)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Victor Gui/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Parallel
  • Photographer Name: Victor Gui
  • Year: 2020

Victor Gui from Singapore took this perfectly timed and well-framed image of a freighter moving through the water alongside a long straight bridge. This satisfying parallel image resulted in him being chosen as the national winner and it's easy to see why.

Abbas Alkhamis (Saudi Arabia)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Abbas Alkhamis/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Horse Motion
  • Photographer Name: Abbas Alkhamis
  • Year: 2020

Saudi Arabia's national winner Abbas Alkhamis captured this magnificent image of a fantastic steed in action. Man and beast in harmony.

"A horse breeder plays a horse in one of the stables of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates."

Sergey Savenko (Russian Federation)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Sergey Savenko/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Mount Elbrus
  • Photographer Name: Sergey Savenko
  • Year: 2020

One of the great things about these national award winners is the extreme differences between them. One winner taken in the depths of the desert, one in the frozen wilderness.

"Bermamyt Plateau. The best place with a view of Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain peak in Russia and Europe, included in the list of the highest peaks of the world "Seven Peaks"."

Bjørn-Arild Schancke (Norway)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Bjørn-Arild Schancke/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Mine 6
  • Photographer Name: Bjørn-Arild Schancke
  • Year: 2020

Norway's winning photographer captured this amazing snap of the wonder of nature and man-made structures existing together.

"This is mine 6, which is a closed coal mine in Svalbard. The mining operation here was between 1969-1981. The mine is today a protected cultural heritage, and it still remains approx. 380,000 tons of coal inside this mountain. Mine 6 is located in Adventdalen between Todalen and Bolterdalen in Longyearbyen."

Arvids Baranovs (Latvia)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Arvids Baranovs/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Autumn serpentine
  • Photographer Name: Arvids Baranovs
  • Year: 2020

This award-winning photograph from Latvia looks like it would be a perfect fit in our gallery of the best drone photos ever taken. Another image of man's impact on the world with a winding road striking through a forest.

"Mountain serpentine in the mountains Romania during golden autumn."

Kiatthaworn Khorthawornwong (Thailand)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Kiatthaworn Khorthawornwong/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Red day
  • Photographer Name: Kiatthaworn Khorthawornwong
  • Year: 2020

Thailand's national photography winner actually went to a photographer who snapped this striking landscape image from a lakeside view in Japan. A wonderfully framed mountain backdrop makes for a staggering view of a peaceful lake.

"The beauty of Autumn at Kawaguchigo lake, Japan."

Marcus Westberg (Sweden)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Marcus Westberg/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Spread'em
  • Photographer Name: Marcus Westberg
  • Year: 2020

Life must be hard for giraffes with those long necks and awkwardly gangly legs. Apparently even having a drink can be a bit of a problem. Swedish photographer, Marcus Westberg, captured this image from a hide in Namibia and managed to win the national award as a result.

"I had spent several days in a hide in Onguma Private Reserve, near Etosha, Namibia, initially hoping to see elephants or big cats, but enjoying all the visitors that came to the waterhole nearby. I knew if I was patient enough I would have a good chance of photographing giraffes as they came in to drink, but I never imagined any of them would squeeze in between the hide and the waterhole! This presented me with a different perspective than I had envisioned. Patience, and a willingness to sit quietly in nature is often reward in itself - although in this case I was delighted to leave with an image like this."

Kristiina Tammik (Estonia)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Kristiina Tammik/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: The look
  • Photographer Name: Kristiina Tammik
  • Year: 2020

Kristiina Tammik from Estonia snapped this fantastic image of a person and their furry friend hunting for ducks. We enjoy the striking colours of the hound and the look in his eyes as he returns with the prize.

"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever retrieving a duck to the hunter."

Tianhu Yuan (China)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Tianhu Yuan/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Another Self
  • Photographer Name: Tianhu Yuan
  • Year: 2020

Facemasks are probably a sore point the world over now. Yet this one has us asking so many questions as well as just enjoying it for what it is. Just a girl in a bear mask or something more?

"Another Self is an image from my ongoing project about Nijigen teenagers in China."

Roberto Corinaldesi (Italy)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Roberto Corinaldesi/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Sur La Mer
  • Photographer Name: Roberto Corinaldesi
  • Year: 2020

Another classic aerial view, this time showing a mass of swimmers making their way through the incoming waves.

"Swimmers seen from above take on the appearance of human ants."

Abhijeet Kumar Banerjee (India)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Abhijeet Kumar Banerjee/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Mating Rhinos
  • Photographer Name: Abhijeet Kumar Banerjee
  • Year: 2020

"Taken this image at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam India in Dec 2019. It was early winter morning and we were on a jeep safari. And suddenly we encountered this mating Indian one horned Rhino pair. Needless to say, an unique and rare opportunity. Light was just right and we have an opening on the edge of this grass field. Moving around taken some shots from different angle and distance. Here the pair was indifferent to the Egrets sitting along."

Greg Lecoeur (France)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Greg Lecoeur/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Frozen mobil home
  • Photographer Name: Greg Lecoeur
  • Year: 2020

From the land to the ocean, it seems that anything goes when it comes to these photos and just how incredible they are too.

"During an expedition on a small sailboat, we explore the Antarctica Peninsula by diving below the surface. Although the conditions are extreme with a temperature of minus 1°C, we have documented an extraordinary marine life in its fragile ecosystem such as on this image: crab-eater seals living on the pack-ice but which are affected by global warming with the melting of the ice."

Tonmoy Adhikary (Bangladesh)

Stunning Photos From The National Sony World Photography Awards 2020 image 1
Tonmoy Adhikary/Sony World Photography Awards
  • Image Name: Reminiscence
  • Photographer Name: Tonmoy Adhikary
  • Year: 2020
  • Image Description: 'Black And White'

"This photo is about someone I know who loves watching movies a lot. His love and affection of watching movies started when he was a little kid, in the era of VCR player. Today, in the age of modern-day technology, the VCR player is now nearly extinct. But there are people even to this day who cherish those vintage ever loved devices and their priceless memories.

This photo is in Black and white in three different ways. First, the photo itself is Black&White, Second, the VCR cassette in the photo is black and the eyes are white. And Third, there used to be a white piece of paper labelled on the cassette to write down the name of the film or content."