The shortlist for the Sony World Photography Awards has been announced, with some stunning imagery from around the world making the grade. Here are some of the best.
A record 230,103 images were entered into the Sony World Photography Awards this year, with the shortlist of 270 photographers chock-full of gems.
There are three categories – pro, open and youth – with entries up almost a half in the professional category. The winning and shortlisted images will go on show at Somerset House, London from 22 April – 8 May.
So here are 13 of the best (most you can click on to view in a larger format):
Image Name: Farming the Sea Photographer Name: Tugo Cheng Image Description: A fisherman is farming the sea in between the bamboo rods constructed for aquaculture off the coast in southern China.
Photographer Name: Khairel Anuar Che Ani Image Name: Too much practice Image Description: This was taken in Bali during Melasti Festival. This festival is conducted once a year in conjunction with Nyepi or Silent Day. These young girls were waiting for their turn to perform. They looked stunning with their bright coloured costumes and heavy make-up on, however the expression on their faces, especially the yawning girl, gives this image an extra ‘ummpph’.
Photographer Name: Alexander Semenov Series Name: Real world aliens Series Description: This series represent exploration of the most extreme and far cold-water seas, washing the coasts of Russia, because only few have the chance to dive there. These seas are true pearls of nature, hiding mysteries and treasures not only for divers and scientists – there is another universe with its own aliens and fantastic creatures. These strange animals are mostly undescribed. Some of them are tiny, some are hidden because of their complete transparency, some are beautiful and gentle giants.
Photographer Name: Andrey Narchuk Image Name: Sea baby Image Description: Bering sea. Commander Islands, Baby fur seal
Photographer Name: Matthias Hangst Series Name: Women’s Team Free Synchronised Swimming Kazan 2015 Series Description: Teams compete in the Women’s Team Free Synchronised Swimming Preliminary on day four of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on July 28, 2015 in Kazan, Russia.
Photographer Name: Jens Juul Series Name: Little Fighters Series Description: The atmosphere is good and there is loud music playing in the gym in Copenhagen where the elite girls train gymnastics 20 hours a week. You have to if you want to participate at the elite level. And they do. As a rule of thumb you have to put in at least 10,000 hours of training to compete internationally. Doing gymnastics you primarily fight yourself. Your fears, doubts and pain. But the youngsters help and encourage each other. So it might be a lone battle. But they fight it side by side.
Photographer Name: Rob Gregory Series Name: RIC Hornets Series Description: These images were created for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Adaptive Sports Program and the RIC Hornets wheelchair basketball team.
Photographer Name: Juliette Blanchard Series Name: The Philosopher Series Description: Between dada poetry and punk controversy, the body that is staged here wants to wake up life. Absurdity in an absurd world, eruption of freedom in skimpy landscapes, anarchic dancing in a shabby architecture, the cliché of the philosopher are the result of improvised events, born of research at the discretion of improvised trips of the two artists.
Photographer Name: Cristina Vatielli Series Name: Picasso’s Women Series Description: The project consists of seven photographic shots, each representing one of the women who influenced the sentimental life and artistic work of Pablo Picasso: Eva Gouel, Gaby Depeyre, Olga KhaKhlova, Marie-Therese Walter, Dora Maar, Francoise Gilot and Jacqueline Rocque.
Photographer Name: Oliver Schwarzwald Series Name: Animals vs. Jewelry
Photographer Name: Alexandre Pruvost Series Name: Les bronzeurs Series Description: In Paris, when the sun is back, the ‘bronzeur’ goes along the Seine. Wearing clothes or almost naked, he is looking for the perfect spot to enjoy the sun. Specifically, he is looking for a bench that will allow the best conditions. Usually he has brought a towel to avoid contact between him and the bench. It is in the early afternoon that the ‘bronzeurs’ settle. It is the perfect moment to get a perfect tan. They are very relaxed, and waiting for the sun to do its job.
Photographer Name: Steiner Wang Image Name: Cloud Flamingo
Photographer Name: Filippo Venturi Image Description: Bodybuilders at Haeundae Beach in Busan. Koreans are mad about health and physical appearance. Here appearance matters most; both in terms of beauty and conformity to norms.