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The Sony World Photography Awards bring us the most amazing photos from around the globe every year, and 2017's freshly announced winners are sure to leave you speechless.
The photo contest hands award out to 4 different categories; Professional photographers (body of work), open (single images), youth (photographers aged 12-19), and student focus. National Awards are also presented to one beautiful photo from each participating country. Depending on the category, winners of the photography contest take home cash prizes, Sony digital imaging equipment, and the opportunity the have their stunning pictures featured in an exhibition. Sony's 2017 exhibition for best photos is set to take place in London.
See if your favourites from the shortlist ended up winning below, and vote for the ones that deserved it most. You can also check out our posts about the winners from 2013, 2014, and the 2015 shortlist.
More info: Sony World Photography Awards 2017
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Khalid Alsabat, Saudi Arabia National Award
Alsabat captured this image of an elderly fisherman casting his net in Yangzhou, China.
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#2
Homare Hamada, Japan National Award
Hamada captured the full trajectory launch of the Stork rocket by using long exposure.
Daria B 8 years ago
Looks perfect for a film company's logo... O_o (And, of course, it's beautiful. Felt the need to point that out because my reaction could be taken either the positive and negative way ♥ )
Jerie Ragsac 8 years ago
Tinkerbell showing off again... oh tink, you sly fly XD
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Ermes Vandelli 8 years ago
Rocket Man Pasquale, lancio con mega offerta Ryan Air sul portogallo,dal 15 al 20. Stranamente mi mancava, un porto fresco sull'Atlantico primaverile, baccalà e musica fado malinconica e romantica
Gerald Klitzke 8 years ago
Awesome picture. Captures such a great light show. Well balanced and clear.
#3
Camilo Diaz, Colombia National Award
Submerged field. Everyday aims towards a collective goal. The Colombian national team is immersed in white, grey, and black, fighting together for the ultimate position. With accredited prestige, an invitation was sent to participate in the European Junior Championship, as a guest team. Ana Maria and her team are constantly fighting, pushing their lungs to the limit and transforming their everyday lack of resources to an idea of opportunity. The volume of water suggests a calm while the surface gives constant chaos. It is in this scenario that the South American team is named youth world champion winners in Norway.
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Same, what if I run out of breath suddenly, and am in the middle of this mess? :x
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#4
Peter Svoboda, Slovakia National Award
Light from above. The picture "Light from above" was taken in September 2016 in Santa Maddalena, Dolomiten, Italy. Beautiful light and humidity stood behind the nice play of light and shadows that morning. I was waiting as the small church was illuminated by the very first rays of Sun.
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
Absolutely amazing picture! <3 <3 <3 Right place, right time, right weather, & right angle, if U don't mind me saying Mr. Svoboda. I can only imagine standing in ur shoes, right there amongst such beautiful, heart soaring countryside. SIGH!!!...Such a blessing! Thanks for sharing ur pic with the world! ☮😍
Len Cicio 8 years ago
Absolutely! they way it spreads out and hits the land, mountains and sky. A visual feast without any special effects.
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#5
Andreas Hemb, Sweden National Award
A herd of cape Buffaloes drink at a watering hole at Zimanga Private Games Reserve, South Africa. Taken on tripod with first exposure lit for buffaloes and without changing camera position second exposure without light and focused on the stars instead of the buffaloes.
rick hctep (Rick45) 8 years ago
They are still keeping their eyes open for croc's waiting to drag them to their doom.
#6
Shashanka Chitrakar, Nepal National Award
Nishant Rijal 8 years ago
What a har shot to get. Good to see a capable potential photographer
#7
Jelena Jankovic, Serbia National Award
EXIST. The year 2016. reminds me the time in which selfie culture determines our existence if we were somewhere or doing something. The photo was taken at a concert Massive Attack in Pula/Croatia.
Claire Von Hirdler 8 years ago
if this same concert happened in america, the majority of the crowd would have their phones out and up.
#8
Petar Sabol, Croatia National Award
This image titled Swirl was shot at the beginning of 2016. at local pond near Palovec. It shows the moment a small bird kingfisher flies out of water with a little fish in his beak.
John L 8 years ago
The kingfisher is my favorite bird. It is always willing to enter another world in order to fulfill its goals.
Maggie Dougherty 8 years ago
This one is my favorite! The color and water and the color of the bird all seem to mesh together! I just love it!!!
#9
Luis Godinho, Portugal National Award
Ged Maybury 8 years ago
OMG that is so intense. These people are desperate! Where? Who? When? Why? My mind wants answers, but also doesn't want to hear them. Strong evocative photography. My up-vote for sure!
Marisa Teodósio 8 years ago
Luis joined a AMI mission (in english, International Medical Assistance) in Senegal and when they left, the kids hang themselves on the bus. You can follow is work at http://luisgodinho.com/.
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Katinka Min 8 years ago
I could not be a photographer in those situations. The eyes of the people in front of my lens would haunt me till the end of my life. :-/ But it's good that someone takes these pictures!
#10
Jonatan Banista, Central America National Award
Cautelosa / Cautious. Taken on June 12, 2016, while working in the field, this iguana was near a small creek had done several reptile shots until I got this one.
#11
Jim Chen, Taiwan National Award
Lina Kisieliūtė 8 years ago
(Yes, it's an octopus upside down but it looks like a fish wish tentacles for a hairdo xD)
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#12
Katerina Annenkova, Latvia National Award
Jan Feline 8 years ago
And here we see Felis Cattus in it's natural state, on the bed of it's human, preparing to pounce on his head.
Amy McDonald 8 years ago
Kitties, always waking you up too early worldwide. Lovely, cozy photo.
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
What an awesome, original picture! 😍 Perfect timing, & perfect light..at the same time at that. I can feel a deepness looking at this picture. A deepness in my heart for the 💚 of my family, & close loved ones. Thanks 4 sharing, Katerina! :)
#13
Simona Nalepkova, Czech Republic National Award
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
Absolutely stunning!!!😍😍 An amazing, & most beautiful pic, but oh so simple as well. The colors are so eye pleasing & lovely. Thank U, Simona, for sharing!
#14
Shabir Mian, Pakistan National Award
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
Great picture, Shabir! I 💜 the colors & simpleness of it. It has a sense of wonderment about it. Thank U for sharing! 😍
#15
Deveni Nishantha Manjula, Sri Lanka National Award
Sleeping beauty. During a game drive in Lake Nakuru national park in September 2016 we noticed this lioness on a tree. With the reputation of tree climbing lions in Lake Nakuru we were not surprised to see this lioness on the tree. With the light levels depleting quickly due to adverse weather conditions I made this picture to show the environment of the subject.
Joan Rogers 8 years ago
That's one pooped tiger. Hope one of Trump's sons is not in the area or she's going to be one dead tiger !
#16
Alessandra Meniconzi, Switzeland National Award
Meniconzi captured this image of a flock of flamingos in the shallow waters of Walvis Bay, on the Namibian coast in Summer 2016.
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
Outstanding picture, Alessandra! I adore flamingos. 💜 They're 1 of my favorites. The softness in just the colors, & the flock as a whole makes for a great picture. Thank U for sharing!
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
I believe this is where the temperature gets so high in the day time that no other creature could stand the heat. And yet the Flamingo are out there in the searing heat, performing their mating dance.
#17
Jianguo Gong, China National Award
Tai Chi. December 10, 2016. Wuhan city in Hubei Province, the Yangtze River, more than 1 thousand and 300 people practicing taijiquan.
Anna Brandigi 8 years ago
This is like one of those optical illusions where you see black dots on a grid
#18
Kyaw Win Hlaing, Myanmar National Award
This image was taken at Sadan Cave, Pahan township, Karin State in Myanmar.
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
Stunning & so beautiful, Kyaw! Looks like a mesmerizing page out of a book. 💚 Thank U for sharing!
#19
Ewa Cwikla, Netherlands National Award
#20
Ales Komovec, Slovenia National Award
Keisha Gibson 8 years ago
Beautiful & serene picture! The sky & colors of the rows look so breath taking. I feel a longing 2 be there. 💜 Thank U for sharing, Ales!
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
Just not feeling this. Pretty, but an award winner, I dont think so.
#22
Ivan Miladinov, Bulgaria National Award
Daria B 8 years ago
Ha! Found the portal where the evil king from another dimension is summoning his minions from to rule our world! We will not let them succeed! Transformation! *whooshing sounds and sparkling lights* Hiyaaaaa!!!
Roo Bookaroo 8 years ago
Too surreal. Too heavily Photoshopped. Nobody has ever seen such colors assemblage in nature. Bulgarians are known as expert manipulators. So is this photo.
#23
Josselin Cornou, France National Award
Tabular iceberg. In March 2016, I headed to the Antarctic Peninsula, as part of an expedition with explorer Robert Swan. On our way to the 66th parallel south, our boat was navigating in silence through 30 meter (100 feet) high tabular icebergs that were once part of the Larsen Ice Shelf. Those mesmerizing structures were displaying subzero icy corridors, forming a highly photogenic gargantuan maze. The scene was magnificent, but also incredibly scary. I took my camera, I had to show the world the impact that global warming has had. Equipped with a 70-200mm, I started to play with the magnificent landscape around me, trying to display the geometric magnificence of those structures. After envisioning the shot, I had to wait the right moment, and had only a few seconds to get it right.
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
There is now way to truly capture just HOW ENORMOUS these icebergs are.
#24
Alexander Vinogradov, Russian Federation
Mathilda. Inspired by the movie Leon. Model: Anastasiya Marinina.
Talise Snyder 8 years ago
The look the girl is giving the camera makes it seem like we scared her and she whipped her head around really fast and she is frightened.
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
Now THIS photo is a PERFECT demonstration of a professional photographers "eye". THIS is why we are NOT ALL photographers! He could see, that in this very simple photograph he would be capturing SO many things! True unaffected beauty, purity, hope, innocence and more. KUDOS! Great photography IS an art!
#25
Constantinos Sofikitis, Greece National Award
Halloween Protagonists. Halloween in NYC, one of the world's most unique parades and the spookiest holiday in the fall.
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
Well the, why is he the ONLY one in costume??? Incredible make up tho.
Sheva Ribiat 8 years ago
You know what's even creepier? The creepy "face" in the tree directly above the joker's head.
#26
Firos Syed, Qatar National Award
Kathryn Bennett 8 years ago
The country on each post is where the photographer is from. Not where the photo is taken.
Load More Replies... #27
Lester Koh, Singapore National Award
Lester has captured this image of one of Singapore's Oldest Public housing buildings. He shot the picture at dawn on Singapore's 51st National Day in August 2016.
#28
Tadas Kazakevicius, Lithuania National Award
Lina Kisieliūtė 8 years ago
Poor dog on a chain. :/ Can't believe many in my country Lithuania still practice this.
Joan Rogers 8 years ago
You were reading my mind. Why is this small dog chained to a dog house. Even money says he's not taken inside even in the rain or cold. Sad sad and abusive.
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Miglė Makauskaitė 8 years ago
congrats, Tadai! Your work inspires to start learning photography.
#29
Mustafa Jindi, Uae National Award
Transportation. I took this photo in Abu Dhabi, at one of past September morning days, a painting on the wall grabbed my attention, due to it represents UAE past culture. It made me bring my son, dress him with the Local traditional outfit that he loves the most, and made him play around with his tiny car under; the paint, which reflects the great progress and innovation, that UAE witnessed in saving its own precious culture background.
Emily Softley 8 years ago
Wow..... The photograph is beautiful, but that artwork is truly magnificent.
#30
Annela Samuel, Estonia National Award
J Browne 8 years ago
Maybe it was just set up that way for the photo..let's hope so.
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Polpich Komson, Thailand National Award
#32
Chun Kin Tong, China National Award
#33
Mark Vicente, Philippines National Award
Daria B 8 years ago
This one is surely sad and shocking, but it certainly doesn't deserve a downvote, for it's showing the rough and cruel side of reality. It's informative and inviting you to think.
Portgas Ace 8 years ago
How do u know if he is sad did u ask him? Just because he is holding a hunting rifle doesn't mean he's life is sad and cruel...he is a Bedouin Nomad probably and they need a weapon to protect their cattle from predators...that's a way of life don't say he is sad because u don't know I see courage and a proud boy showing something that he represents
Joe Dad 8 years ago
He looks sad to me. His eyes. I could be wrong, but that is how it appears to me. That's all.
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Anna Sheridan 8 years ago
The sadness in that child's eyes is devastating. Stolen childhood, so upsetting.
Marjorie M 8 years ago
http://www.cdodev.com/2017/03/28/cdo-entry-wins-in-2017-sony-world-photography-awards/ The title of the photo is "Bedouin Boy in Oman". So the photographer is from the Philippines but it seems that the photo was taken at Oman. Searching for "Bedouin Oman" in Google Images will allow you to see smiling boys in the same outfit without any gun. So I have one thing to tell you guys. You should not feel pride or joy just becos you see a photo of a sad-looking child holding a rifle from another country. This in no way should make you see that you are priveleged. I do not know the full story of this boy or the photographer. I do not know what the photographer has in mind. But the difference in experience doesn't reduce what it means to be a child. It doesn't mean that the parents of this boy do not give what this boy needs and wants. It also doesn't automatically mean he is sad. It doesn't mean he is involved in an anything related to violence.
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
It reeeeally shows you the difference in our children and our lives depending upon geographical location. Americas children are just SO spoiled.
#34
Mohammad Amir Hamja, Bangladesh National Award
Frank Jones 8 years ago
Looks like the bridge in Kolkata which is seen in the recent movie 'Lion'.
Anna Thouvenin 8 years ago
It's Bangladesh. The 3rd poorest country in the world. What do you expect?
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#35
Antti Hallakorpi, Finland National Award
#36
Mohamed Roushdy El Dor, Egypt National Award
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
Once again, speaks to OUR spoiled children. I believe it would be so life altering if Americas young people, maybe Freshman year, could study and live abroad for 6 months in one of these countries. THEN they would understand how much they DONT have to b***h about!
Joan Rogers 8 years ago
Melody: If American children of means are always bitching, maybe we should take a look at the kind of values their parents are passing down. There are plenty of wealthy kids who go on to lifes in public service, medicine ( Doctors without Borders), research etc. Unfortunately where one is born and they types of opportunities they have are really just the luck of the draw. As far as the photo is concerned I see a boy who has seen too much for his age and his face shows anger and resignation.
Load More Replies... #37
Francisco Ubilla, Chile National Award
Shot from above Ubilla captured this woman at the central post offices of Chile.
#38
Zani Arkadina, Ukraine National Award
#39
Tim Cornbill, Uk National Award
Concrete Circle. Having just arrived in Berlin on a bright summer's day, my wife and I decided to take a morning walk along the River Spree. We soon came across a large concrete building, and I was immediately struck by its geometry and scale. Across the river, I positioned myself for a single point perspective and waited for the right moment to capture it. A couple came into the viewfinder and I noticed the cyclist out of the corner of my eye. I waited for them to move into the frame and hit the shutter to try and balance the composition.
#40
Alex Andriesi, Romania National Award
Anke Kügler 8 years ago
You are aware that this is possible to achieve without Photoshop, right? Requires a lot of help und good timing, but possible nevertheless
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Aessidhe Eclipse 8 years ago
Most of all, it's a copied idea of another artist, but after confrontation with Sony they said that the artist said he was inspired by sth else and it's more positive that the original so they basically didn't care about the same idea, composition, pose and even the dress colour >.< the info and original photo here: https://birdinflight.com/news/industry/20170324-sony-world-photography-awards-plagiarism-accusation.html btw why Romania when he's a french photographer? o.O
Alice Alecu 8 years ago
He is Romanian, not French. That is not a french name. How well do you speak French
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Erin Gibbins 8 years ago
I saw another photographer was petitioning to have this photo removed siting plagiarism as it was remarkably similar to a photo that they had published years ago, Obviously Sony weren't concerned
Agita Želtkovska 8 years ago
Oh my, it makes me really sad that plagiarism is getting awards in this kind of important event :( The idea is stolen from photographer Anka Zhuravleva, you can look up for info here https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10210325807074614&set=a.3892550905303.2158974.1024923282&type=3&theater
Sandra Sanynka 8 years ago
Very nice for Anka Zhuravlela from who you've this idea! What a shame. https://www.google.fr/search?q=anka+zhuravleva+balloons&safe=off&espv=2&tbm=isch&imgil=JI84ucZLaIWz-M%253A%253BZSkcqiFI2QyAxM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%25252Fpin%25252F91690542388339298%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=JI84ucZLaIWz-M%253A%252CZSkcqiFI2QyAxM%252C_&usg=__biZwIUaeIH5khtTX6M6fYl8jgwg%3D&biw=871&bih=683&dpr=1.13&ved=0ahUKEwjM2tfz7f3SAhWBVRoKHQAxCVwQyjcIKg&ei=PsjcWMzDB4GraYDipOAF#imgrc=JI84ucZLaIWz-M:
#41
Santos Moreno Villar, Spain National Award
#42
Nikunj Rathod, India National Award
#43
Edina Csoboth, Hungary National Award
#44
Ngoc Mai Nguyen, Vietnam National Award
#46
Ralph Graf, Germany National Award
Gassing Up At Roy's. Roy's Cafe, gas station and motel in Amboy, California. Part of my series "Roadside America". This photo was taken at the Historic Route 66.
Sharla Cheney 8 years ago
Notice the gas prices. Must have been during that Summer when people in the U.S. had to stop driving cars.
#48
Ly Min, Cambodia National Award
Coline Petit 8 years ago
Very film-like photo. No bright colors of Cambodia. Reminds me of the documentary film Les Pépites. It is about how children working on a garbage dump of Phnom-Penh were helped by a man and his wife who created a school for them.
#49
Carloman Macidiano Cespedes Riojas, Peru National Award
Algo casual 2. This image is a criticism of modern relationships and the distance between human beings in their daily interactions.
#52
Emrah Karakos, Turkey National Award
#53
Alexander Vinogradov, Russian Federation National Award
Macidiano Cespedes 8 years ago
ERROR: This picture is amazing but the photographer is Salvatore Mazzeo, ITALIA
Cinthilindi 8 years ago
Efectivamente, no hay nada como comprobar los datos. https://500px.com/photo/185563667/holy-friday-of-enna-by-salvatore-mazzeo-photography
Load More Replies... Talise Snyder 8 years ago
How do you know that they are being made to wear whatever sort of head scarf they are wearing?
Load More Replies... #54
Austin Odunga, Kenya National Award
Yasmine tarek 8 years ago
I think men photos and portraits desirve more upvotes like women's we need to see beauty in musculinity as well as femininity
#56
Tania Franco Klein, Mexico National Award
#57
Jian Seng Soh, Malaysia National Award
#58
Seung Jong Lee, Republic Of Korea National Award
Los Angeles 2016. Los Angeles Street Photography.
#59
Lise Johansson, Denmark National Award
The series Hearth explores what it means to feel at home. The inspiration for the work came from the personal experience of Johansson returning to Denmark after many years of living abroad and realising he had lost the warm sense of belonging I once he had. This feeling of loss can be felt when viewing the photograph.
#60
Evan George, Australia National Award
#62
Argus Paul Estabrook, Usa National Award
#63
Bernard Ward, Ireland National Award
The Cappy 8 years ago
I wonder what I'm looking at, here. This one could have benefitted from a caption.
Anna Sheridan 8 years ago
This is a photo of political and religious significance. It's an 11th night bonfire, a Protestant/loyalist tradition in Northern.
Renata Faria 8 years ago
By the reg plates this is Northern Ireland. Probably a Nationalists barricade against the Unionists
#64
Harley Yang, Canada National Award
#65
Fajar Kristianto, Indonesia National Award
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What do you think ?
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
Some of these, I am sorry, but I really feel are just photos. Anybody could have taken them.I feel that "award-winning photography" should be, award-worthy photography. In ANY way shape, or form.
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
Some of these, I am sorry, but I really feel are just photos. Anybody could have taken them.I feel that "award-winning photography" should be, award-worthy photography. In ANY way shape, or form.
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