This year The Sony World Photography Awards celebrates its 11th anniversary. It is one of the most respected and influential photography contests. Every year the Awards gather the best photography from around the world and this year is no exception. We are presented with the most beautiful pictures by both professional and amateur artists.

The photo contest received a record total of 319,561 images. It hands out awards to the best photographers in 4 different categories; Professional (body of work), open (single images), youth (photographers aged 12-19), and student focus. One photo of each participating country is presented with a National Award.

All category winners will receive cutting-edge digital imaging equipment from Sony. Cash prizes of $25k will be presented to the Photographer of the Year and $5k to the Open Photographer of the Year.

Tell us which of these cool photos are your favorites in the comments and don't forget to check out the pretty pictures by last year's winners.

More info: worldphoto.org

#1

Brendon Cremer, South Africa National Award

Brendon Cremer, South Africa National Award

Brendon Cremer Report

Ben S.
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ah, finally, A little privacy. Now to take a little drink in peace and qui..."

Lua boots
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That makes me drink a glass of water...and turn back to the kitchen veeeeryyy slowly...

Full Name
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How did the contest get this photograph, what with this being the last thing the photographer ever saw and all?

Dara
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are some mesmerising eyes.

Peak25500
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

« Let me clean my mouth before I bite you... »

Anne
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shocked by the sudden flash? Just tried to sneak a drink in the middle of the night, without waking up the babies... :)

Sillyist
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Doesn't it look a bit leftside-low to you? I'm no photography expert but it should at least be level to be a top pick. Pretty cool shot though.

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    #2

    Martin Stranka, Czech Republic National Award

    Martin Stranka, Czech Republic National Award

    Martin Stranka Report

    #3

    Paranyu Pithayarungsarit, Thailand National Award

    Paranyu Pithayarungsarit, Thailand National Award

    Paranyu Pithayarungsarit Report

    #4

    Suphakaln Wongcompune, Thailand National Award

    Suphakaln Wongcompune, Thailand National Award

    Suphakaln Wongcompune Report

    jenna
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    scary and mesmerizing at the same time

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    #5

    Isabelle Bacher, Austria National Award

    Isabelle Bacher, Austria National Award

    Isabelle Bacher Report

    jenna
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would like a copy of this to hang on my wall. Inspiring.

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    #6

    Wenjie Qiao, United States National Award

    Wenjie Qiao, United States National Award

    Wenjie Qiao Report

    #7

    Kyaw Win Hlaing, Myanmar National Award,

    Kyaw Win Hlaing, Myanmar National Award,

    Kyaw Win Hlaing Report

    #8

    Chin Boon Leng, Singapore National Award

    Chin Boon Leng, Singapore National Award

    Chin Boon Leng Report

    HellCat
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I could turn into a giant for a few moments, and just gently caress the surface of those hills. They look so velvety.

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    #9

    Santiago Borja, Ecuador National Award

    Santiago Borja, Ecuador National Award

    Santiago Borja Report

    #10

    Lynn Wu, Taiwan National Award

    Lynn Wu, Taiwan National Award

    Lynn Wu Report

    #11

    Pedro Jarque, Peru National Award

    Pedro Jarque, Peru National Award

    Pedro Jarque Report

    #12

    Junghye Lee, South Korea National Award

    Junghye Lee, South Korea National Award

    Junghye Lee Report

    VHunter D
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like I've seen tons of photos just like this on-....oooooooh.

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    #13

    Veselin Atanasov, Bulgaria National Award

    Veselin Atanasov, Bulgaria National Award

    Veselin Atanasov Report

    #14

    Petar Sabol, Croatia National Award

    Petar Sabol, Croatia National Award

    Petar Sabo Report

    #15

    Yen Sin Wong, Malaysia National Award

    Yen Sin Wong, Malaysia National Award

    Yen Sin Wong Report

    #16

    Bassam Allam, Egypt National Award

    Bassam Allam, Egypt National Award

    Bassam Allam Report

    #17

    Min Ly, Cambodia National Award

    Min Ly, Cambodia National Award

    Min Ly Report

    #18

    Ingrid Vekemans, Belgium National Award

    Ingrid Vekemans, Belgium National Award

    Ingrid Vekemans Report

    #19

    Justyna Zdunczyk, Poland National Award

    Justyna Zdunczyk, Poland National Award

    Justyna Zdunczyk Report

    Sillyist
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can relate to the middle deer. When I'm eating I have zero awareness of the world around me.

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    #20

    Sylvia Michel, Switzerland National Award

    Sylvia Michel, Switzerland National Award

    Sylvia Miche Report

    Lua boots
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you arrive to the party and you realized you put too much high lighter illuminator make up on your face

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    #21

    Md. Tofazzal Hossain, Bangladesh National Award

    Md. Tofazzal Hossain, Bangladesh National Award

    Md.Tofazzal Hossain Report

    #22

    Au Hin Man, Hong Kong National Award

    Au Hin Man, Hong Kong National Award

    Au Hin Man Report

    #23

    Anton Novozhilov, Estonia National Award

    Anton Novozhilov, Estonia National Award

    Anton Novozhilov Report

    #24

    Takashi Nakazawa, Japan National Award

    Takashi Nakazawa, Japan National Award

    Takashi Nakazawa Report

    #25

    Nicky Loh, Singapore National Awar

    Nicky Loh, Singapore National Awar

    Nicky Loh Report

    #26

    Ales Krivec, Slovenia National Award

    Ales Krivec, Slovenia National Award

    Ales Krivec Report

    #27

    Tina Signesdottir Hult, Norway National Award

    Tina Signesdottir Hult, Norway National Award

    Tina Signesdottir Hult Report

    jenna
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it a real fox? It looks beautiful, however, I certainly don't like animals being killed for beauty.

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    #28

    Zeyar Htun, Myanmar National Award

    Zeyar Htun, Myanmar National Award

    Zeyar Htun Report

    Heather Grover
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The play of lights in this is gorgeous

    #29

    Chul-Ui Song, South Korea National Award

    Chul-Ui Song, South Korea National Award

    Chul-Ui Song Report

    Darren Shalla
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meh, It's a gas station in a snow fall. You know how many of these kind of shots there are in Canada? Not sure how this got an award.

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    #30

    Vinh Dao, Vietnam National Award

    Vinh Dao, Vietnam National Award

    Vinh Dao Report

    #31

    Mikkel Beiter, Denmark National Award

    Mikkel Beiter, Denmark National Award

    Mikkel Beiter Report

    April Simnel
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, surely this is an outtake from The Grand Budapest Hotel!

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    #32

    Thu Huynh, Vietnam National Award

    Thu Huynh, Vietnam National Award

    Thu Huynh Report

    #33

    Jonatan Banista, Central America National Award

    Jonatan Banista, Central America National Award

    Jonatan Banista Report

    HellCat
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful use of lighting. I love what she's wearing, particularly the head piece. Looks almost like a renaissance portrait.

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    #34

    Jianguang Zhou, China National Award

    Jianguang Zhou, China National Award

    Jianguang Zhou Report

    Karen Polak
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brilliant shot with colour and shape, a moment in time.

    #35

    Erika Valkovicova, Slovakia National Award

    Erika Valkovicova, Slovakia National Award

    Erika Valkovicova Report

    Carol Williams
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "And the hand of God reached out, and touched..."

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    #36

    Wee Beng Lim, Singapore National Award

    Wee Beng Lim, Singapore National Award

    Wee Beng Lim Report

    #37

    Nuket Uluc, Turkey National Award

    Nuket Uluc, Turkey National Award

    Nuket Uluc Report

    #38

    Ares Jonekson Saragi, Indonesia National Award

    Ares Jonekson Saragi, Indonesia National Award

    Ares Jonekson Saragi Report

    #39

    Zhaoting Wu, China National Award

    Zhaoting Wu, China National Award

    Zhaoting Wu Report

    #40

    Min Ly, Cambodia National Award

    Min Ly, Cambodia National Award

    Min Ly Report

    ...
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stunning. Even after the cambodian genocide there is so much beauty

    #41

    Abdulla Al-Mushaifri, Qatar National Award

    Abdulla Al-Mushaifri, Qatar National Award

    Abdulla AL-Mushaifri Report

    HellCat
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone knows what is this place? It looks so surreal. The pattern reminds me of the math notebooks I had in school.

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    #42

    Damon Beckford, Finland National Award

    Damon Beckford, Finland National Award

    Damon Beckford Report

    #43

    Sai Aung Main, Myanmar National Award

    Sai Aung Main, Myanmar National Award

    Sai Aung Main Report

    Karen Polak
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could have been much better framing...

    #44

    Fajar Kristianto, Indonesia National Award

    Fajar Kristianto, Indonesia National Award

    Fajar Kristianto Report

    GlassOfWater
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like his butt's stuck to it XD

    #45

    Marie Moroni, France National Award

    Marie Moroni, France National Award

    Marie Moroni Report

    therealpixie
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my, it looks like a Dutch old master painting brought to life.

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    #46

    Tien Sang Kok, Malaysia National Award

    Tien Sang Kok, Malaysia National Award

    Tien Sang Kok Report

    #47

    Andrius Kundrotas, Lithuania National Award

    Andrius Kundrotas, Lithuania National Award

    Andrius Kundrotas Report

    ...
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ARE THEY TRAWLING???????????????????????????? Sorry. It's my trigger, its aweful for coral, therefore eliminating fish nuseries, and then the population of fish goes down.

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    #48

    Nicu Spinu, Romania National Award

    Nicu Spinu, Romania National Award

    Nicu Spinu Report

    therealpixie
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do not understand this road. It's not a switchback down a mountain, or it would curve downward in the bottom right of the picture. Instead, it curves upward to go back where it came from. Why? Does anyone know what it is?

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    #49

    Trung Pham Huy, Vietnam National Award

    Trung Pham Huy, Vietnam National Award

    Trung Pham Huy Report

    #50

    Kenneth O Halloran, Ireland National Award

    Kenneth O Halloran, Ireland National Award

    Kenneth O Halloran Report

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's so pretty, I didn't even notice she was missing a hand at first.

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    #51

    Manuel Armenis, Germany National Award

    Manuel Armenis, Germany National Award

    Manuel Armenis Report

    Karen Polak
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love this! Social history in a moment of time.

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    #52

    Louie Lam Shu Yan, Hong Kong National Award

    Louie Lam Shu Yan, Hong Kong National Award

    Louie Lam Shu Yan Report

    #53

    Panos Skordas, Greece National Award

    Panos Skordas, Greece National Award

    Panos Skordas Report

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even the Minotaur needed to find his way out of his maze sometimes.

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    #54

    Don Ferdinand Tabbun, Uae National Award

    Don Ferdinand Tabbun, Uae National Award

    Don Ferdinand Tabbun Report

    #55

    Ameer Hamza Khawaja, Pakistan National Awards

    Ameer Hamza Khawaja, Pakistan National Awards

    Ameer Hamza Khawaja Report

    #56

    Aleksandrs Drozdovs, Latvia National Award

    Aleksandrs Drozdovs, Latvia National Award

    Aleksandrs Drozdovs Report

    #57

    Swapnil Deshpande, India National Award

    Swapnil Deshpande, India National Award

    Swapnil Deshpande Report

    #58

    Dexter Maneja, Philippines National Award

    Dexter Maneja, Philippines National Award

    Dexter Maneja Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #60

    Bernardo Hernandez, Colombia National Award

    Bernardo Hernandez, Colombia National Award

    Bernardo Hernandez Report

    #61

    Phearun Yin, Cambodia National Award

    Phearun Yin, Cambodia National Award

    Phearun Yin Report

    #62

    Damith Osuranga Danthanarayana, Sri Lanka National Award

    Damith Osuranga Danthanarayana, Sri Lanka National Award

    Damith Osuranga Danthanarayana Report

    #63

    Antonio Coelho, Portugal National Award

    Antonio Coelho, Portugal National Award

    Antonio Coelho Report

    #64

    Yusuke Suzuki, Japan National Award

    Yusuke Suzuki, Japan National Award

    Yusuke Suzuki Report

    #65

    Richard Winston, United States National Award

    Richard Winston, United States National Award

    Richard Winston Report

    Kann
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, if it was not captioned as a photo award, I would have thought this was a drawing!

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    #66

    Katy Gomez Lopez, Spain National Award

    Katy Gomez Lopez, Spain National Award

    Katy Gomez Lopez Report

    Karen Polak
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagery excellent, fascinating picture that tells a story

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    #67

    Lennart Hessel, Sweden National Award

    Lennart Hessel, Sweden National Award

    Lennart Hessel Report

    ...
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wild dog are so rare!!! this must have been a difficult photo to capture.

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    #68

    Md Enamul Kabir, Bangladesh National Award

    Md Enamul Kabir, Bangladesh National Award

    Md Enamul Kabir Report

    GlassOfWater
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm never going to complain about a packed train again

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #69

    Lanze Haung, Taiwan National Award

    Lanze Haung, Taiwan National Award

    Lanze Haung Report

    #70

    Gaps Sabuero, Philippines National Award

    Gaps Sabuero, Philippines National Award

    Gaps Sabuero Report

    #71

    Kai Fatt Eng, Malaysia National Award

    Kai Fatt Eng, Malaysia National Award

    Kai Fatt Eng Report

    jenna
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This could be a very interesting wallpaper.

    #72

    Wen-Lung Lee, Taiwan National Award

    Wen-Lung Lee, Taiwan National Award

    Wen-Lung Lee Report

    #73

    Mirella Lukens, Netherlands National Award

    Mirella Lukens, Netherlands National Award

    Mirella Lukens Report

    #74

    Yoon Jeongvin, South Korea National Award

    Yoon Jeongvin, South Korea National Award

    Yoon JeongVin Report

    Karen Polak
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depressing dystopia but something interesting here

    #75

    Caterina Bruzzone, Italy National Award

    Caterina Bruzzone, Italy National Award

    Caterina Bruzzone Report

    #77

    Aleksandr Bityutskih, Russia National Award,

    Aleksandr Bityutskih, Russia National Award,

    Aleksandr Bityutskih Report

    HellCat
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know what to think about this one. It's a little out of place, in my humble opinion. Not saying that the other pictures are not photomanipulated, but this one it is to a more obvious degree. Unless that house is painted that way in real life, which I don't think it is. Or maybe I just don't get the message behind it, but overall I am not too impressed with it. I've seen breathtaking pictures in this collection. This one, to me, is a little strange.

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    #78

    Sandaru Saranjaya Gayanpriya Urala Liyanage, Sri Lanka National Awards

    Sandaru Saranjaya Gayanpriya Urala Liyanage, Sri Lanka National Awards

    Sandaru Saranjaya Gayanpriya Urala Liyanage Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #79

    Chris Round, Australia National Award

    Chris Round, Australia National Award

    Chris Round Report

    #80

    Xiaoqin Zhou, China National Awar

    Xiaoqin Zhou, China National Awar

    Xiaoqin Zhou Report

    #81

    Junya Suzuki, Japan National Award

    Junya Suzuki, Japan National Award

    Junya Suzuki Report

    #82

    Karla Guerrero Trejo, Mexico National Award

    Karla Guerrero Trejo, Mexico National Award

    Karla Guerrero Trejo Report

    #83

    Chintan Shamsher Gauchan, Nepal National Award

    Chintan Shamsher Gauchan, Nepal National Award

    Chintan Shamsher Gauchan Report

    #84

    Milan Radisics, Hungary National Award

    Milan Radisics, Hungary National Award

    Milan Radisics Report

    #85

    Allan Borebor, Philippines National Award

    Allan Borebor, Philippines National Award

    Allan Borebor Report

    Vita Vitriaulfa
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Taman Nasional BROMO TENGGER SEMERU, North Java, Indonesia. My home sweet home 💝

    #86

    Suong Mardy, Cambodia National Award

    Suong Mardy, Cambodia National Award

    Suong Mardy Report

    #87

    Hardijanto Budiman, Indonesia National Award

    Hardijanto Budiman, Indonesia National Award

    Hardijanto Budiman Report

    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That reminds me... I need one of those flexible tubes to hide all the cables behind the tv

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    #88

    Thanasorn Janekankit, Thailand National Award

    Thanasorn Janekankit, Thailand National Award

    Thanasorn Janekankit Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #89

    Antony Trivet, Kenya National Award

    Antony Trivet, Kenya National Award

    Antony Trivet Report

    #90

    Achintha Dahanayake, Sri Lanka National Award

    Achintha Dahanayake, Sri Lanka National Award

    Achintha Dahanayake Report

    #91

    Moin Ahmed, Bangladesh National Award

    Moin Ahmed, Bangladesh National Award

    Moin Ahmed Report

    #92

    Marcelo Cugliari, Argentina National Award

    Marcelo Cugliari, Argentina National Award

    Marcelo Cugliari Report

    #93

    Nick Dolding, United Kingdom National Award

    Nick Dolding, United Kingdom National Award

    Nick Dolding Report

    #94

    Chu-Ying Lui, Hong Kong National Award

    Chu-Ying Lui, Hong Kong National Award

    Chu-Ying Lui Report

    Muneeb Shamsi
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope you can make out Pumba in this photograph!