The shortlist for the 2015 Sony World Photography Awards, the world's biggest photography competition, was just announced and they include some incredibly inspiring entries from all around the world. Cumulatively, the three competitions – Professional, Open and Youth – received over 173,000 entries from 171 countries, a whopping 24% increase from 2014. In its eight year history, that's the highest number of entries every received.
Speaking about the shortlisted images, Astrid Merget Motsenigos, Creative Director of the World Photography Organisation and organizer of the awards said:
“The sole purpose of the Sony World Photography Awards is to celebrate and appreciate the talented artists working in the photographic industry. Once again, the shortlist demonstrates the vibrancy, diversity and skill of both today's established photographers and, as importantly, the growing army of citizen photographers for whom the awards offer unprecedented exposure and opportunity.
“The record number of entries gave our expert panel of judges a monumental task but we are incredibly proud to present to you a shortlist which truly showcases some of the world's best photography.”
The shortlisted photographers in the Professional categories will now compete for a $25,000 prize and the highly esteemed title of L'Iris d'Or/ Photographer of the Year. All winning and shortlisted images will be on view at Somerset House in London from April 24 to May 10.
Now, out of all of the shortlisted images, here are our favorite 30 photos. If you just can't get enough, here were some of the shortlisted images from last year.
Above: Zbynek Hrbata , Czech Republic, Shortlist, Travel, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Professional Competition
Brent Stirton, South Africa, Shortlist, Contemporary Issues, Professional, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Ramil Gilvanov, Russia, Shortlist, Lifestyle, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Deasung Lee, Republic of Korea, Shortlist, Conceptual, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Adhi Prayoga, Indonesia, Shortlist, Travel, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Katia Platonova, Russia, Shortlist, Conceptual, Professional, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Kimmo Metsaranta, Finland, Shortlist, Still Life, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Ronaldo Land, Brazil, Shortlist, Sport, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Farid Sani, Iran, Shortlist, Travel, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Dennis Fung/DF Photowork, China, Shortlist, Arts & Culture, Professional, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Koh Soon, Malaysia, Shortlist, Arts & Culture, Professional, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Gili Yaari, Israel, Shortlist, Arts & Culture, Professional, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Danila Tkachenko, Russia, Shortlist, Landscape, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Open Competition
Adrian Jaszczak, Poland, Shortlist, Arts&Culture, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
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Hector Muoz Huerta, Mexico, Shortlist, Arts & Culture, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Ismail Abdul Mutalib, Indonesia, Shortlist, Travel, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Christine Kapuschinsky Johnson, Austria, Shortlist, Smile, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Harfian Herdi, Indonesia, Shortlist, Nature &Wildlife, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Enrico Madini, Italy, Shortlist, Travel, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Melissa Little, Australia, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Byron Dilkes, UK, Shortlist, Travel, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Vladimir Proshin, Russia, Shortlist, Travel, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Ceslovas Cesnakevicius, Lithuania, Shortlist, Enhanced Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Saeed Barikani, Iran, Shortlist, Smile, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Nenad Martic, Croatia, Shortlist, Enhanced Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Simon Morris, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Smile, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Antony Crossfield, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Enhanced Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Marius Vieth, Germany, Shortlist, Arts&Culture, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
Youth Competition
Krishan Bansal, Shortlist, Youth, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards
