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The Captivating Images of the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards Shortlist

Chris Gampat
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02/23/2016
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Last Updated on 02/23/2016 by Chris Gampat

There are more than 300 people that with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus blue unit, representing 25 different countries and speaking everything from Russian to Arabic to Guarani. A few travel in cars and trailers, but a majority, 270, live on the trains. Most come from multigeneration circus families, to the extent that collectively, the circus staff represents thousands of years of circus history. The men and women all say that only circus people like them can understand the lifestyle. They spend 44 weeks of the year traveling an average of 20,000 miles from coast to coast on a train that is 61 cars ”a full mile” long. It is a life of close quarters and rigorous training, a life that many of the performers began in childhood. Their job is to convince the world that the circus still matters.
There are more than 300 people that with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus blue unit, representing 25 different countries and speaking everything from Russian to Arabic to Guarani. A few travel in cars and trailers, but a majority, 270, live on the trains. Most come from multigeneration circus families, to the extent that collectively, the circus staff represents thousands of years of circus history. The men and women all say that only circus people like them can understand the lifestyle. They spend 44 weeks of the year traveling an average of 20,000 miles from coast to coast on a train that is 61 cars ”a full mile” long. It is a life of close quarters and rigorous training, a life that many of the performers began in childhood. Their job is to convince the world that the circus still matters. © Stephanie Sinclair, US Shortlist, Professional , Daily Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards

Today, the Sony Word Photography Awards announced their shortlist. Since the launch, there have been 1,097,012 entries. The list and some selected images are after the jump.

Photos

The church of the Holy Trinty in the village of Maryino, Leningrad region. The church was built in 1831 and closed down in 1936. Russia, 2015 © Petr Antonov, Russia, Shortlist, Professional , Architecture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The church of the Holy Trinty in the village of Maryino, Leningrad region. The church was built in 1831 and closed down in 1936. Russia, 2015
© Petr Antonov, Russia, Shortlist, Professional , Architecture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The Pools series is a study of water, one of the most precious resources for life on our planet. The artistic approach of photographer Stephan Zirwes is to show how the important resource is in contrast between being the consummate location for entertainment and the incredible waste of drinking water “not only for being used in private pools but also the trend to privatise what is a public asset and use it for commercial reasons. Public pools can still be a symbol for the importance that water should be free accessible to everyone. The clean formal language and the simple design of the pictures focus our interest on this newsworthy issue with elegance and almost playful. A deep dive into the blue as Zirwes copied parts of the original pool tiles and enlarged them in a simple, visible way to create a kind of mount in patterns. © Stephan Zirwes, Germany, Shortlist, Professional, Architecture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The Pools series is a study of water, one of the most precious resources for life on our planet. The artistic approach of photographer Stephan Zirwes is to show how the important resource is in contrast between being the consummate location for entertainment and the incredible waste of drinking water “not only for being used in private pools but also the trend to privatise what is a public asset and use it for commercial reasons. Public pools can still be a symbol for the importance that water should be free accessible to everyone. The clean formal language and the simple design of the pictures focus our interest on this newsworthy issue with elegance and almost playful. A deep dive into the blue as Zirwes copied parts of the original pool tiles and enlarged them in a simple, visible way to create a kind of mount in patterns.
© Stephan Zirwes, Germany, Shortlist, Professional, Architecture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
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 Its in the early afternoon that the «bronzeurs» settles. Its the perfect moment to get a perfect tan. They are very relaxed, and waiting for the sun to do its job. © Alexandre Pruvost, France, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
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 Its in the early afternoon that the «bronzeurs» settles. Its the perfect moment to get a perfect tan. They are very relaxed, and waiting for the sun to do its job.
© Alexandre Pruvost, France, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
In the summer holidays at sea are a time of joy and fun for all ages. If we do not we looked at the different costumes, the scenes are the same as always. Sometimes the elderly back to be boys, parents make jokes to the children, often breaking social labels, creating new relationships. Stopping to look at the different behavior of people on a pier is hilarious and often allows you to freeze the moments in memory. © Andrea Rossato, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
In the summer holidays at sea are a time of joy and fun for all ages. If we do not we looked at the different costumes, the scenes are the same as always. Sometimes the elderly back to be boys, parents make jokes to the children, often breaking social labels, creating new relationships. Stopping to look at the different behavior of people on a pier is hilarious and often allows you to freeze the moments in memory.
© Andrea Rossato, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Miami Beach A showgirl, during her performance in ocean drive © Giancarlo Ceraudo, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Miami Beach
A showgirl, during her performance in ocean drive
© Giancarlo Ceraudo, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Fashion designer Louison Mbeya watching the fashion show. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is known for its war, rebels and poverty, but when it comes to style and fashion it’s capital Kinshasa is an inspiration for many people on the African continent. Here fashion is not the motor powering the rapidly growing economy, but rather an effect of this; the current economic and political circumstances are the flywheel that is allowing something that has always been in the population’s DNA to flourish.Kinshasa, Paris of Africa 2025 is part of an ongoing multi media project, named Future Cities. For this project journalist Stephanie Bakker and photographer Yvonne Brandwijk discover the next generation of cities. Kinshasa’s first launch and print date was on July 15 2015 at the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant. © Yvonne Brandwijk, Netherlands, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / De Volkskrant
Fashion designer Louison Mbeya watching the fashion show.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is known for its war, rebels and poverty, but when it comes to style and fashion it’s capital Kinshasa is an inspiration for many people on the African continent. Here fashion is not the motor powering the rapidly growing economy, but rather an effect of this; the current economic and political circumstances are the flywheel that is allowing something that has always been in the population’s DNA to flourish.Kinshasa, Paris of Africa 2025 is part of an ongoing multi media project, named Future Cities. For this project journalist Stephanie Bakker and photographer Yvonne Brandwijk discover the next generation of cities.
Kinshasa’s first launch and print date was on July 15 2015 at the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant.
© Yvonne Brandwijk, Netherlands, Shortlist, Professional , Candid, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / De Volkskrant
Beached humans on unknown shores © Alejandro Beltran, Venezuela, Shortlist, Professional, Conceptual, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Beached humans on unknown shores
© Alejandro Beltran, Venezuela, Shortlist, Professional, Conceptual, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Asiah Khatu (22), a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, at a temporary shelter in Bayeun, East Aceh, Indonesia. On May 20th 2015, around 400 refugees and asylum-seekers stranded at sea for months were rescued by Indonesian Fisherman in Julok, Aceh province, Indonesia. © Fauzan Ijazah, Indonesia, Shortlist, Professional , Portraiture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Asiah Khatu (22), a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, at a temporary shelter in Bayeun, East Aceh, Indonesia.
On May 20th 2015, around 400 refugees and asylum-seekers stranded at sea for months were rescued by Indonesian Fisherman in Julok, Aceh province, Indonesia.
© Fauzan Ijazah, Indonesia, Shortlist, Professional , Portraiture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
For the Ekondas pygmies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most important moment in the life of a woman is the birth of her first child. The young mother is called walé (primiparous nursing mother). A walè carries both responsibilities and status: she returns to her parents, where she remains secluded for a period of 2 to 5 years, and must adhere to several strict taboos during this time. The ritual is highly competitive, as it's about having more prestige and power than other walé, so she takes on a nickname to differentiate herself from rivals. Every day the young woman engages in an elaborate beautification ritual to draw attention to herself. She spreads a red preparation, a mixture of powder of ngola wood with palm oil, over her own body. The sophisticated hairstyles, made of a mud like paste, a mixture of ashes from bopokoloko leaves and palm oil, are yet another way for walé to flaunt their uniqueness. Actresses act and stage appearance. © Patrick Willocq, France, Shortlist, Professional , Portraiture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / Belgrado Vision Quest
For the Ekondas pygmies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most important moment in the life of a woman is the birth of her first child. The young mother is called walé (primiparous nursing mother). A walè carries both responsibilities and status: she returns to her parents, where she remains secluded for a period of 2 to 5 years, and must adhere to several strict taboos during this time. The ritual is highly competitive, as it’s about having more prestige and power than other walé, so she takes on a nickname to differentiate herself from rivals. Every day the young woman engages in an elaborate beautification ritual to draw attention to herself. She spreads a red preparation, a mixture of powder of ngola wood with palm oil, over her own body. The sophisticated hairstyles, made of a mud like paste, a mixture of ashes from bopokoloko leaves and palm oil, are yet another way for walé to flaunt their uniqueness. Actresses act and stage appearance.
© Patrick Willocq, France, Shortlist, Professional , Portraiture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / Belgrado Vision Quest
In this project, Alberto Alicata, traces the history of photography, image iconic realized by the great masters, resorting to the use of a symbol of contemporary Western culture: Barbie. Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Guy Bourdin, David Lachapelle, Mario Testino are some of the names which Alicata honors, studying carefully chosen shots and recreating a set to measure Barbie rebuilt in detail the limits of the obsessive precision, the original that inspired it, in order to strengthen the authenticity and strength of timeless images, now become part of our visual memory and intended to be timeless. Intuition playful operate this simulation, using one of the most imitated, idolized, collected and studied which is renewed in every historical period, this production puts in a dimension in the making, is intended to be enriched with new images, and more opportunity to quote unexpected suggestions. © Alberto Alicata, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
In this project, Alberto Alicata, traces the history of photography, image iconic realized by the great masters, resorting to the use of a symbol of contemporary Western culture: Barbie. Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Guy Bourdin, David Lachapelle, Mario Testino are some of the names which Alicata honors, studying carefully chosen shots and recreating a set to measure Barbie rebuilt in detail the limits of the obsessive precision, the original that inspired it, in order to strengthen the authenticity and strength of timeless images, now become part of our visual memory and intended to be timeless. Intuition playful operate this simulation, using one of the most imitated, idolized, collected and studied which is renewed in every historical period, this production puts in a dimension in the making, is intended to be enriched with new images, and more opportunity to quote unexpected suggestions.
© Alberto Alicata, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Dora Maar (Henriette Theodora Markovic) was an independent and anti-conformist woman and photographer. She met Picasso in 1936. The painter kept her away from photography and pushed her into painting (a field in which he was the unquestioned king). Living in the shadow of the greatest artist of the time, Maar suffered from self-doubt and depression throughout her nine-year liaison with Picasso. The painter defined her as the most intelligent of all of his women and the one that made him laugh the most. else. Despite this, he always pictured her as the crying woman. Maar found herself abandoned by Picasso, and for this reason suffered of a nervous breakdown; she subsequently undertook electroshock therapy for three weeks in a psychiatric hospital. She said “after Picasso there is only God”.  © Cristina Vatielli, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Dora Maar (Henriette Theodora Markovic) was an independent and anti-conformist woman and photographer. She met Picasso in 1936. The painter kept her away from photography and pushed her into painting (a field in which he was the unquestioned king). Living in the shadow of the greatest artist of the time, Maar suffered from self-doubt and depression throughout her nine-year liaison with Picasso. The painter defined her as the most intelligent of all of his women and the one that made him laugh the most. else. Despite this, he always pictured her as the crying woman. Maar found herself abandoned by Picasso, and for this reason suffered of a nervous breakdown; she subsequently undertook electroshock therapy for three weeks in a psychiatric hospital. She said “after Picasso there is only God”. 
© Cristina Vatielli, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
I want to explore how self portraiture for many people has become an obsession, and how presence in a self portrait situation is absent, or becomes a peculiar part of the selfie act. This can develop absurd situations, and my project is a play around such situations. © Kristoffer Eliassen, Norway, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
I want to explore how self portraiture for many people has become an obsession, and how presence in a self portrait situation is absent, or becomes a peculiar part of the selfie act. This can develop absurd situations, and my project is a play around such situations.
© Kristoffer Eliassen, Norway, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Flesh Love Returns Men and women are attracted to each other and try to become one. This fundamental desire carries an energy that affects all matter in the world. I wonder what is the reason we have to make such an effort to become one. Possibly we were originally one. Since I believe this, I intend to visualize this power of love by adhering and unifying couples. The closer the distance between them, the stronger the power. The law of gravity also shows the pull is stronger when two objects become closer; and glue, too, is stronger when it is applied thinner. To be adhered shows their strength. I decided to vacuum-pack couples as a method to express coherence. Because the couple cannot breathe in the bag, the vacuum-packed state can only be kept for several seconds. This is why I chose photography to capture these pieces. I have begun the project which takes a shrinked couple at the most important place for them. I make them to choose a plece for shooting.There is a person who chooses the home where a life is being always done together, too, there would be a person who chooses the workplace they knew each other and a person who chooses the location of the memory, too. Every kind of place will be space of love by being couple. © Photographer Hal, Japan, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Flesh Love Returns Men and women are attracted to each other and try to become one. This fundamental desire carries an energy that affects all matter in the world. I wonder what is the reason we have to make such an effort to become one. Possibly we were originally one. Since I believe this, I intend to visualize this power of love by adhering and unifying couples. The closer the distance between them, the stronger the power. The law of gravity also shows the pull is stronger when two objects become closer; and glue, too, is stronger when it is applied thinner. To be adhered shows their strength. I decided to vacuum-pack couples as a method to express coherence. Because the couple cannot breathe in the bag, the vacuum-packed state can only be kept for several seconds. This is why I chose photography to capture these pieces. I have begun the project which takes a shrinked couple at the most important place for them. I make them to choose a plece for shooting.There is a person who chooses the home where a life is being always done together, too, there would be a person who chooses the workplace they knew each other and a person who chooses the location of the memory, too. Every kind of place will be space of love by being couple.
© Photographer Hal, Japan, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
On the Philosopher As an expression of absurdity in an absurd world, eruption of freedom in skimpy landscapes, anarchic dancing in a shabby architecture, the pictures of "The Philosopher" are the result of improvised events, born out of the search "at the whim of improvised journeys“ of places favorable to disruption, to reinvention. The settings are those of the institutional planning. Confined in their useful role, they become inhuman when pushed by. The pictures are Epectase brings back the body to it, fitted with a bizarre sensuality, both Old France style and futuristic. 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 clichè of the philosopher are the result of improvised events, born of research at the discretion of improvised trips the two artists. © Juliette Blanchard, France, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
On the Philosopher As an expression of absurdity in an absurd world, eruption of freedom in skimpy landscapes, anarchic dancing in a shabby architecture, the pictures of “The Philosopher” are the result of improvised events, born out of the search “at the whim of improvised journeys“ of places favorable to disruption, to reinvention. The settings are those of the institutional planning. Confined in their useful role, they become inhuman when pushed by. The pictures are Epectase brings back the body to it, fitted with a bizarre sensuality, both Old France style and futuristic. 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 clichè of the philosopher are the result of improvised events, born of research at the discretion of improvised trips the two artists.
© Juliette Blanchard, France, Shortlist, Professional , Staged, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Editorial for germans Stern magazine, Jewlery special. © Oliver Schwarzwald, Germany, Shortlist, Professional , Still Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / subjectmatterart
Editorial for germans Stern magazine, Jewlery special.
© Oliver Schwarzwald, Germany, Shortlist, Professional , Still Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / subjectmatterart
DC 2234.55 001 trophy lion, springbok and spotted hyena, hunting convention, reno, nevada, USA-from the series 'Lion'-David Chancellor At annual conventions in the US hunters will book hunts, select animals, professional hunters, and taxidermist services. Here at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada, USA, a taxidermist displays his work from a clients previous trip to Africa. There are now more captive Lions in South Africa than wild ones; approx 8000 compared to 2000 living in the wild. Many of these animals are reared specifically to be shot and owned by wealthy tourists from Europe and North America. Between 2001-2006 1830 Lion trophies were exported from South Africa, in the following five years 4062 trophies were exported from SA an increase of 122%. As result of this increase in 2011 the South African government effectively banned the practise of ‘canned hunting’ by requiring an animal to roam free for two years before it could be hunted, severley restricting breeders and hunters' profitability. But lion breeders challenged the policy in South Africa's courts and a high court judge eventually ruled that such restrictions were ‘not rational’. The number of trophy hunted animals has since soared. Demand from the Far East is also driving profits for lions breeders. In 2001, two lions were exported as "trophies" to China, Laos and Vietnam; in 2011, 70 lion trophies were exported to those nations. While the trade in tiger parts is now illegal, demand for lion parts for traditional Asian medicine is soaring. In 2009, five lion skeletons were exported from South Africa to Laos; in 2011, it was 496. The legal export of lion bones and whole carcasses has also soared. Breeders argue it is better that hunters shoot a captive-bred lion than further endanger the wild populations, but conservationists and animal welfare groups dispute this. Wild populations of lions have declined by 80% in 20 years, so the rise of lion farms and canned hunting © David Chancellor, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Professional , Campaign, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
DC 2234.55 001 trophy lion, springbok and spotted hyena, hunting convention, reno, nevada, USA-from the series ‘Lion’-David Chancellor
At annual conventions in the US hunters will book hunts, select animals, professional hunters, and taxidermist services. Here at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada, USA, a taxidermist displays his work from a clients previous trip to Africa.
There are now more captive Lions in South Africa than wild ones; approx 8000 compared to 2000 living in the wild. Many of these animals are reared specifically to be shot and owned by wealthy tourists from Europe and North America. Between 2001-2006 1830 Lion trophies were exported from South Africa, in the following five years 4062 trophies were exported from SA an increase of 122%. As result of this increase in 2011 the South African government effectively banned the practise of ‘canned hunting’ by requiring an animal to roam free for two years before it could be hunted, severley restricting breeders and hunters’ profitability. But lion breeders challenged the policy in South Africa’s courts and a high court judge eventually ruled that such restrictions were ‘not rational’. The number of trophy hunted animals has since soared. Demand from the Far East is also driving profits for lions breeders. In 2001, two lions were exported as “trophies” to China, Laos and Vietnam; in 2011, 70 lion trophies were exported to those nations. While the trade in tiger parts is now illegal, demand for lion parts for traditional Asian medicine is soaring. In 2009, five lion skeletons were exported from South Africa to Laos; in 2011, it was 496. The legal export of lion bones and whole carcasses has also soared. Breeders argue it is better that hunters shoot a captive-bred lion than further endanger the wild populations, but conservationists and animal welfare groups dispute this. Wild populations of lions have declined by 80% in 20 years, so the rise of lion farms and canned hunting
© David Chancellor, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Professional , Campaign, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The story of a big unload In France we throw away approximately 365kg of waste per person, per year. Although, it is difficult to know the actual quantity when our waste is being collected every week. #365, Unpacked is the result of a four years work during which the photographer has stopped throwing away his recycled waste, and has collected it instead. 70m3 of packaging has been collected to create the base of the project, which has been invading the daily life of the protagonists of this photographic series. This "waste bank" includes 1600 milk bottles, 4800 toilet rolls, and even 800kg of newspapers. The photographer has decided to sort all the collected waste to photograph it separately and by category. Each photo of this series has been set up within a live installation and has been created in real conditions without any photo editing software. Beyond the graphic dimension, the accumulation of waste accentuates the gap between the human and his environment. If today we can witness an evolution of the consciousness, our strongest argument is economic as the cost of this packaging is two-fold. Firstly, the cost is covered by the consumer during the purchase and secondly, it will be the same consumer who will pay for the collection and the treatment of the packaging once used. Between making us question ecology and our way of consuming, #365, Unpacked reminds us that the best waste is the waste that we, as humans don't produce. © Antoine Repessé, France, Shortlist, Professional , Campaign, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The story of a big unload In France we throw away approximately 365kg of waste per person, per year. Although, it is difficult to know the actual quantity when our waste is being collected every week. #365, Unpacked is the result of a four years work during which the photographer has stopped throwing away his recycled waste, and has collected it instead. 70m3 of packaging has been collected to create the base of the project, which has been invading the daily life of the protagonists of this photographic series. This “waste bank” includes 1600 milk bottles, 4800 toilet rolls, and even 800kg of newspapers. The photographer has decided to sort all the collected waste to photograph it separately and by category. Each photo of this series has been set up within a live installation and has been created in real conditions without any photo editing software. Beyond the graphic dimension, the accumulation of waste accentuates the gap between the human and his environment. If today we can witness an evolution of the consciousness, our strongest argument is economic as the cost of this packaging is two-fold. Firstly, the cost is covered by the consumer during the purchase and secondly, it will be the same consumer who will pay for the collection and the treatment of the packaging once used. Between making us question ecology and our way of consuming, #365, Unpacked reminds us that the best waste is the waste that we, as humans don’t produce.
© Antoine Repessé, France, Shortlist, Professional , Campaign, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
These images were created for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Adaptive Sports Program and the RIC Hornets wheelchair basketball team. © Rob Gregory, United States, Shortlist, Professional , Campaign, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
These images were created for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Adaptive Sports Program and the RIC Hornets wheelchair basketball team.
© Rob Gregory, United States, Shortlist, Professional , Campaign, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
We've arrived in El Salvador to see for ourselves the human effects of the violence that is rapidly making the country the deadliest place in the world. After a one-year dip in the murder rate following a truce negotiated between criminal gangs and the government of Mauricio Funes in 2012, the killings have spiked again this year, with a projected murder rate for 91 per 100 thousand for 2015. This means nearly 6000 people will be killed this year. According to police statistics, so far 2859 people have already been murdered. Much of El Salvador's violence is attributed to gang members. The prisoners we met are members of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS13, a transnational criminal gang which originated on the streets of Los Angeles along with its main rival, the Barrio 18 gang. Its founders were refugees from El Salvador's 12-year civil war, which killed over 75,000 people. Under the Clinton and Bush administrations in the late 90s and early 2000s Central American gang members were deported back en masse to weak post-war nations unable to accommodate them. © Marielle van Uitert, Netherlands, Shortlist, Professional , Contemporary Issues, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
We’ve arrived in El Salvador to see for ourselves the human effects of the violence that is rapidly making the country the deadliest place in the world. After a one-year dip in the murder rate following a truce negotiated between criminal gangs and the government of Mauricio Funes in 2012, the killings have spiked again this year, with a projected murder rate for 91 per 100 thousand for 2015. This means nearly 6000 people will be killed this year. According to police statistics, so far 2859 people have already been murdered. Much of El Salvador’s violence is attributed to gang members. The prisoners we met are members of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS13, a transnational criminal gang which originated on the streets of Los Angeles along with its main rival, the Barrio 18 gang. Its founders were refugees from El Salvador’s 12-year civil war, which killed over 75,000 people. Under the Clinton and Bush administrations in the late 90s and early 2000s Central American gang members were deported back en masse to weak post-war nations unable to accommodate them.
© Marielle van Uitert, Netherlands, Shortlist, Professional , Contemporary Issues, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
In the 16th century Solvichegodsk was found as a solt mine. The name of the city is formed with russian word "sol" wich means salt, and the name of the nearby river Vichegda. In that times, salt was qite expensive and valuable, what made city prosperous. Since that time salt had lost it's meaning to the russian economy. Today no one is intrested in Solvichegodsk salt, and the unique therapeutic mud is the last money resourse of the city, because most of the production shutted down after breakdown of USSR. Since 1992 till now, Solvichegodsk population had reduced by half. After breakdown of the communism, Solvichegodsk as many small towns in russia is stuck in it's past. Despite everything, people in Solvichegodsk still belive in their positive future, and wait for wind of change. :© Anton Unitsyn, Russia, Shortlist, Professional , Daily Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
In the 16th century Solvichegodsk was found as a solt mine. The name of the city is formed with russian word “sol” wich means salt, and the name of the nearby river Vichegda. In that times, salt was qite expensive and valuable, what made city prosperous. Since that time salt had lost it’s meaning to the russian economy. Today no one is intrested in Solvichegodsk salt, and the unique therapeutic mud is the last money resourse of the city, because most of the production shutted down after breakdown of USSR. Since 1992 till now, Solvichegodsk population had reduced by half. After breakdown of the communism, Solvichegodsk as many small towns in russia is stuck in it’s past. Despite everything, people in Solvichegodsk still belive in their positive future, and wait for wind of change.
:© Anton Unitsyn, Russia, Shortlist, Professional , Daily Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Coal used to be the gold of West Virginia, US. But then Obama came and new environmental regulations. Together with lower price on coal, it led to huge redundancies and the coal became a curse for many of the coal-cities in West Virginia. In 1940, 140.000 worked in the mountains, today only about 15.000 are left in the coal business. Town like Beckley and Mullens does not have many other sources of income. Drugs, pills, alcohol and violence is dominant many places, and young people are struggeling to find work, forcing many to move. © Espen Rasmussen, Norway, Shortlist, Professional , Daily Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / VG / Panos Pictures
Coal used to be the gold of West Virginia, US. But then Obama came and new environmental regulations. Together with lower price on coal, it led to huge redundancies and the coal became a curse for many of the coal-cities in West Virginia. In 1940, 140.000 worked in the mountains, today only about 15.000 are left in the coal business. Town like Beckley and Mullens does not have many other sources of income. Drugs, pills, alcohol and violence is dominant many places, and young people are struggeling to find work, forcing many to move.
© Espen Rasmussen, Norway, Shortlist, Professional , Daily Life, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / VG / Panos Pictures
This series represent exploration of the most extreme and far cold-water seas, washing the coasts of Russia, because only few people in the world had 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 it's 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 - in the underwater world you can find living things for the first time in the history of humanity, but they were there for millions of years. Modern diving and photo equipment give us a chance to reveal this beauty hidden in the dark. :© Alexander Semenov, Russia, Shortlist, Professional, Environment, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
This series represent exploration of the most extreme and far cold-water seas, washing the coasts of Russia, because only few people in the world had 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 it’s 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 – in the underwater world you can find living things for the first time in the history of humanity, but they were there for millions of years. Modern diving and photo equipment give us a chance to reveal this beauty hidden in the dark.
:© Alexander Semenov, Russia, Shortlist, Professional, Environment, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
: California's snowpack, which generally provides about a third of the state's water, was at its lowest level on record in 2015. California water regulators adopted the state's first rules for mandatory cutbacks in urban water use as the region's catastrophic drought entered its fourth year. California ranks as the top farm state by annual value of agricultural products, most of which are produced in the Central Valley, the vast, fertile region stretching 450 miles (720 km) north-sound from Redding to Bakersfield. Urban users were hardest hit by the new water conservation rules, even though they account for only 20 percent of state water consumption, while the state's massive agricultural sector, which the Public Policy Institute of California says uses 80 percent of human-related consumption, was exempted. Copyright: © Lucy Nicholson, UK, Shortlist, Professional , Environment, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
: California’s snowpack, which generally provides about a third of the state’s water, was at its lowest level on record in 2015. California water regulators adopted the state’s first rules for mandatory cutbacks in urban water use as the region’s catastrophic drought entered its fourth year. California ranks as the top farm state by annual value of agricultural products, most of which are produced in the Central Valley, the vast, fertile region stretching 450 miles (720 km) north-sound from Redding to Bakersfield. Urban users were hardest hit by the new water conservation rules, even though they account for only 20 percent of state water consumption, while the state’s massive agricultural sector, which the Public Policy Institute of California says uses 80 percent of human-related consumption, was exempted.
Copyright: © Lucy Nicholson, UK, Shortlist, Professional , Environment, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Until the 60s, South Korea was almost a mediaeval country, poor and underdeveloped. After just 50 years, South Korea is now one of the most advanced countries in the world. The rush towards modernity has been fostered by imposing a huge sense of competition and a painstaking effort to reach scolastic, aesthetic and professional perfection. Youngsters grow up by keeping in mind the same ideals and future aims: get the best marks to get the best jobs. At the same time, the aesthetic models are totally conformed, obtained through a massive us of plastic surgery. The Country pushes the young generation towards an alienating standardization, the exact opposite of what happens in Western Countries, where success comes from one's ability to emerge from the mass. The collateral effects of this rapid social, educational, economical, aesthetic and technological evolution“ achieved through high competition and rivalry are psychological outbursts such as social isolation and stress that sometimes bring to alcoholism and suicide (South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world: 43 per day). © Filippo Venturi, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , People, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Until the 60s, South Korea was almost a mediaeval country, poor and underdeveloped. After just 50 years, South Korea is now one of the most advanced countries in the world. The rush towards modernity has been fostered by imposing a huge sense of competition and a painstaking effort to reach scolastic, aesthetic and professional perfection. Youngsters grow up by keeping in mind the same ideals and future aims: get the best marks to get the best jobs. At the same time, the aesthetic models are totally conformed, obtained through a massive us of plastic surgery. The Country pushes the young generation towards an alienating standardization, the exact opposite of what happens in Western Countries, where success comes from one’s ability to emerge from the mass. The collateral effects of this rapid social, educational, economical, aesthetic and technological evolution“ achieved through high competition and rivalry are psychological outbursts such as social isolation and stress that sometimes bring to alcoholism and suicide (South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world: 43 per day).
© Filippo Venturi, Italy, Shortlist, Professional , People, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
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. © Jens Juul, Denmark, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
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.
© Jens Juul, Denmark, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Portraits of the silver medal winners just after loosing their final at the Zealand boxing Championships held in Copenhagen in March. © Nikolai Linares, Denmark, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Portraits of the silver medal winners just after loosing their final at the Zealand boxing Championships held in Copenhagen in March.
© Nikolai Linares, Denmark, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
KAZAN, RUSSIA - JULY 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) A member of the Mexico team competes 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. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) :© Matthias Hangst, Germany, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / Getty Images
KAZAN, RUSSIA – JULY 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) A member of the Mexico team competes 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. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
:© Matthias Hangst, Germany, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards / Getty Images
If one is thinking about countries being successful in boxing, just a few will have Ghana in mind. But Ghana produced a couple of world champions in boxing - the most famous one being Azumah Nelson. The weird fact about boxing in Ghana is all world champions are from Bukom, a small neighborhood of Accra. Bukom is a poor suburb, most people work as fishermen. But boxing here has a long tradition - it is the second nature of the people as many say. Hundreds of years ago, the Ga-People, an ethnic group who lives mainly in Accra, developed their own way of fighting. Due to the British influence during colonization, the Ga came in touch with boxing. Since then boxing is the most famous sport in Bukom. Nowadays boxing is much more than a sport, it is a way to escape poverty and everyday problems. Many kids and juveniles dream of being a professional boxer in the US or Europe. They fight for their dreams, literally. © Patrick Sinkel, Germany, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
If one is thinking about countries being successful in boxing, just a few will have Ghana in mind. But Ghana produced a couple of world champions in boxing – the most famous one being Azumah Nelson. The weird fact about boxing in Ghana is all world champions are from Bukom, a small neighborhood of Accra. Bukom is a poor suburb, most people work as fishermen. But boxing here has a long tradition – it is the second nature of the people as many say. Hundreds of years ago, the Ga-People, an ethnic group who lives mainly in Accra, developed their own way of fighting. Due to the British influence during colonization, the Ga came in touch with boxing. Since then boxing is the most famous sport in Bukom. Nowadays boxing is much more than a sport, it is a way to escape poverty and everyday problems. Many kids and juveniles dream of being a professional boxer in the US or Europe. They fight for their dreams, literally.
© Patrick Sinkel, Germany, Shortlist, Professional , Sport, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A fisherman is farming the sea in between the bamboo rods constructed for aquaculture off the coast in southern China. ©Tugo Cheng, Hong Kong, Shortlist, Open, Travel, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A fisherman is farming the sea in between the bamboo rods constructed for aquaculture off the coast in southern China.
©Tugo Cheng, Hong Kong, Shortlist, Open, Travel, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Bering sea. Commander islands. Baby fur seal ©Andrey Narchuk, Russia, Shortlist, Open, Nature and Wildlife, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Bering sea. Commander islands. Baby fur seal
©Andrey Narchuk, Russia, Shortlist, Open, Nature and Wildlife, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Home of 40 thousand Buddhist monks in Sichuan province ©Attila Balogh, Hungarian, Shortlist, Open, Architecture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Home of 40 thousand Buddhist monks in Sichuan province
©Attila Balogh, Hungarian, Shortlist, Open, Architecture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
While I was cruising with my girlfriend in Namibia, Two tourists were obstinate about those birds. Finally they were just looking the same. Copyright: Elie Kauffmann, France, Shortlist, Open People, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
While I was cruising with my girlfriend in Namibia, Two tourists were obstinate about those birds. Finally they were just looking the same.
Copyright: Elie Kauffmann, France, Shortlist, Open People, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Image Description: People on mass yoga exercise in the central park of Vilnius. Copyright: ©Karolis Janulis, Lithuania, Shortlist,Open, People, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Image Description: People on mass yoga exercise in the central park of Vilnius.
Copyright: ©Karolis Janulis, Lithuania, Shortlist,Open, People, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
I came across this juvenile flying fish while diving in open water near Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines. Juvenile flying fish are often spotted hovering just below the surface, hiding inside natural or manmade debris, drifting the ocean currents. Juvenile flying fish can be attracted by light at night, but during the day they tend to swim away as soon a diver approaches. It took me hours to get close enough and this photograph was taken just when the sun was setting, beautifully illuminating the clouds at the horizon. ©Eric Madeja, Switzerland, Shortlist, Open, Nature and Wildlife, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
I came across this juvenile flying fish while diving in open water near Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines. Juvenile flying fish are often spotted hovering just below the surface, hiding inside natural or manmade debris, drifting the ocean currents. Juvenile flying fish can be attracted by light at night, but during the day they tend to swim away as soon a diver approaches. It took me hours to get close enough and this photograph was taken just when the sun was setting, beautifully illuminating the clouds at the horizon.
©Eric Madeja, Switzerland, Shortlist, Open, Nature and Wildlife, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Image Description: I've used water reflection let the grass looks like a cloud. So I named It Cloud Flamingo. Copyright: Steiner Wang, Taiwan, Shortlist, Open Nature and Wildlife, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Image Description: I’ve used water reflection let the grass looks like a cloud. So I named It Cloud Flamingo.
Copyright: Steiner Wang, Taiwan, Shortlist, Open Nature and Wildlife, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Image 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 each of the girls' face especially the yawning girl gives this image an extra 'ummpph'. ©Khairel Anuar Che Ani, Malaysia, Shortlist, Open, Split Second, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Image 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 each of the girls’ face especially the yawning girl gives this image an extra ‘ummpph’.
©Khairel Anuar Che Ani, Malaysia, Shortlist, Open, Split Second, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Reindeer farmer kids in Mongolia ©Peter Voss, Germany, Shortlist, Open, Smile, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Reindeer farmer kids in Mongolia
©Peter Voss, Germany, Shortlist, Open, Smile, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The last five days of Kartika month are known as Bhisma-Panacaka. Grandfather Bhisma fasted for these five days, preparing to give up his life. However one observes Kartika-vrata, he should intensify it for the last five days. The best way to observe the Kartika-vrata is to abstain from eating grains for the whole month, and to take only milk or water for the last five days. If one eats grains during the month, he should avoid them for the last five days. Also, one should only eat once a day ©MD Tanveer Rohan, Bangladesh, Shortlist, Open, Arts and Culture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
The last five days of Kartika month are known as Bhisma-Panacaka. Grandfather Bhisma fasted for these five days, preparing to give up his life. However one observes Kartika-vrata, he should intensify it for the last five days. The best way to observe the Kartika-vrata is to abstain from eating grains for the whole month, and to take only milk or water for the last five days. If one eats grains during the month, he should avoid them for the last five days. Also, one should only eat once a day
©MD Tanveer Rohan, Bangladesh, Shortlist, Open, Arts and Culture, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Taken in Cannes, France 2015. I took this photograph on Promenade de la Croisette, during my summer holiday. Whilst everyone is mostly new wealth, this woman stood out, as she is relatively modest in appearance, and accompanied by a dog, as well as being elderly. I found it amusing how the dog shared the same facial expression as the dog. ©Talia Rudofsky, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Youth, Portrait, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Taken in Cannes, France 2015. I took this photograph on Promenade de la Croisette, during my summer holiday. Whilst everyone is mostly new wealth, this woman stood out, as she is relatively modest in appearance, and accompanied by a dog, as well as being elderly. I found it amusing how the dog shared the same facial expression as the dog.
©Talia Rudofsky, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Youth, Portrait, 2016 Sony World Photography Awards

 

SHORTLISTED PHOTOGRAPHERS

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

Photographers were invited to enter a series of between 3 and 10 images into any of the following 14 categories. Judges were asked to select up to 10 photographers for the shortlist. Photographers are listed alphabetically.

Architecture

  • Petr Antonov, Russia
  • Jonathan Carvajal, Colombia
  • Werner Elmer, Austria
  • Amélie Labourdette, France
  • Paul Störm, Australia
  • Jonathan Tan, Singapore
  • Hui Zhang, China
  • Stephan Zirwes, Germany

 

Candid

  • Valerio Bispuri, Italy
  • Yvonne Brandwijk, Netherlands
  • Giancarlo Ceraudo, Italy
  • Liu Chengliang, China
  • Fan Li, China
  • Nick Ng, Malaysia
  • Alexandre Pruvost, France
  • Andrea Rossato, Italy
  • Kirstin Schmitt, Germany
  • Constantinos Xenoulis, Greece

 

Conceptual

  • Alejandro Beltran, Venezuela
  • Simon Brann Thorpe, United Kingdom
  • Kate Davis, United Kingdom
  • Vladimir Frumin, United States
  • Barbaros Kayan, Turkey
  • Julien Mauve, France
  • Poya Raissi, Iran
  • Lawrence Sumulong, Philippines
  • Manuel Velasquez Tobar, Honduras

 

Landscape

  • Maoyuan Cui, China
  • Peter Franck, Germany
  • Max Knight, United Kingdom
  • Maroesjka Lavigne, Belgium
  • Aurélien Maréchal, France
  • Florian Mueller, Germany
  • James Reeve, United Kingdom
  • Stefan Schlumpf, Switzerland
  • Prakash Singh, India

 

Portraiture

  • Dmitri Beliakov, Russia
  • Marcello Bonfanti, Italy
  • Ruben Salgado Escudero, Spain
  • Fauzan Ijazah, Indonesia
  • Corinna Kern, Germany
  • Armand Tamboly, Egypt
  • Patrick Willocq, France

 

Staged

  • Pierre Adenis, France
  • Alberto Alicata, Italy
  • Juliette Blanchard, France
  • Kristoffer Eliassen, Norway
  • Julia Fullerton-Batten, United Kingdom
  • Dina Goldstein, Canada
  • Photographer Hal, Japan
  • Kumi Oguro, Japan
  • Oana Stoian, Romania
  • Cristina Vatielli, Italy

 

Still Life

  • Francesco Amorosino, Italy
  • Ilva Beretta, Sweden
  • Kiliii Fish, United States
  • Simone da Lima, Netherlands
  • Daniele Robotti, Italy
  • Julien Roubinet, France
  • Oliver Schwarzwald, Germany
  • Hiroshi Watanabe, Japan
  • Bibiana Omar Zajtai, Spain

 

Campaign

  • Antoine Repessé, France
  • Christian Aslund, Sweden
  • David Chancellor, United Kingdom
  • Hernan Churba, Argentina
  • Giles Clarke, United Kingdom
  • Rob Gregory, United States
  • Jetmir Idrizi, Kosovo
  • Ed Kashi, United States

 

Contemporary Issues

  • Laura Aggio Caldon, Italy
  • Yong An He, China
  • Kevin Frayer, Canada
  • Simona Ghizzoni, Italy
  • Asghar Khamseh, Iran
  • Fan Li, China
  • Kiki Streitberger, Germany
  • Marielle Van Uitert, Netherlands

 

Current Affairs

  • Andrew Burton, United States
  • Gabriele Micalizzi, Italy
  • Amnon Gutman, Romania
  • Brendan Hoffman, United States
  • Jason Koxvold, United Kingdom
  • Aleksandra Kulak, Russia
  • Andrea and Magda Micelli, Italy
  • Alessandro Penso, Italy
  • Angelos Tzortzinis, Greece

 

 

Daily Life

  • Jean-Marc Caimi, Italy
  • Peter Dench, United Kingdom
  • Sandra Hoyn, Germany
  • Espen Rasmussen, Norway
  • Tiplea Remus, Romania
  • Stephanie Sinclair, United States
  • Anton Unitsyn, Russia

 

Environment

  • Kevin Frayer, Canada
  • Li Feng, China
  • Lucy Nicholson, United Kingdom
  • Alexander Semenov, Russia
  • Mohammed Yousef, Kuwait
  • Zhe Zhu, China

 

People

  • Alessandro D’Angelo, Italy
  • Daniel Berehulak, Australia
  • Denise Felkin, United Kingdom
  • Francesco Fratto, Italy
  • Kevin Frayer, Canada
  • Liz Hingley, United Kingdom
  • Jordi Pizarro, Spain
  • Filippo Venturi, Italy

 

 

Sport

  • Antoine Bruy , France
  • Annick Donkers, Belgium
  • Matthias Hangst, Germany
  • Michael Hanke, Czech Republic
  • Jens Juul, Denmark
  • Nikolai Linares Larsen, Denmark
  • Patrick Sinkel, Germany

 

OPEN CATEGORIES

Judged on a single shot and open to photographers of all abilities, judges were asked to select up to 10 shortlisted images per category.

 

Architecture

  • Laurian Ghinitoiu, Romania
  • Radosław Goździelewski, Poland
  • Attila Balogh, Hungary
  • Javad Rooein, Iran
  • Martin Seraphin, Germany
  • Max van Son, Netherlands
  • Nils Olof Wendel, Sweden
  • Filip Wolak, Poland
  • Zoltan Kasza, Hungary

 

Arts and Culture

  • Kyaw Bo Bo Han, Myanmar
  • José Alberto Sotomayor Jiménez, Peru
  • Amir Hoosein Kamali, Iran
  • Swee Choo Oh, Malaysia
  • Mohammad Ponir Hossain, Bangladesh
  • MD Tanveer Rohan, Bangladesh
  • Nader Saadallah, Egypt
  • Minh Ngo Thanh, Vietnam
  • Kamil Wojtyła, Poland
  • Longxiang Xie, China

 

Enhanced

  • Nathalie Capitan, Switzerland
  • Seandel Edwards, Trinidad and Tobago
  • Sang Kill Kim, South Korea
  • Luca Laghetti, Italy
  • Pedro Diaz Molins, Spain
  • Aslan Nahich, Iran
  • Dan Novak, Germany
  • Christian Spreng, Switzerland
  • Mickael Szymanski, France
  • Salvo Bombara, Italy

 

Low Light

  • Theng Sin Chong, Malaysia
  • Yiorgos Doukanaris, Cyprus
  • Vincent Frascello, United States
  • Stefan Liebermann, Germany
  • Lijun Wang, China
  • Sai Aung Main, Myanmar
  • Egor Nikiforov, Russia
  • Kei Nomiyama, Japan
  • Sanghamitra Sarkar, India
  • Tino Solomon, United Kingdom

 

Nature and Wildlife

  • Valter Bernardeschi, Italy
  • Nick Kontostavlakis, Greece
  • Eric Madeja, Switzerland
  • Christian Massari, Italy
  • Andrey Narchuk, Russia
  • Imre Potyó, Hungary
  • Michaela Šmídová, Czech Republic
  • Simona Tedesco, Italy
  • Dennis Vandermeersch, Belgium
  • Steiner Wang, Taiwan

 

Panoramic

  • Maurizio Casula, Italy
  • Daniel Fleischhacker, Germany
  • Stefano Guerrini, Italy
  • Markus van Hauten, Germany
  • Dikky Oesin, Indonesia (shortlisted twice)
  • Christian Ringer, Germany
  • Grant Ritchie, United Kingdom
  • Claude Roy, Canada
  • Carlos F. Turienzo, Spain

 

People

  • Karolis Janulis, Lithuania
  • Elie Kauffmann, France
  • Michele Liberti, Italy
  • Borodkina Mariia, Russia
  • Alexandre Meneghini, Brazil
  • Daniel Arranz Molinero, Spain
  • Lewis Outing, United Kingdom
  • Nikunj Rathod, India
  • Marius Vieth, Germany

 

Smile

  • Gultekin Alkurt, Turkey
  • Atif Amin, Afghanistan
  • Jaydip Bhattacharya, India
  • Alex Ingle, United Kingdom
  • Jack Lawson, United Kingdom
  • Kajan Madrasmail, Singapore
  • Hendra Permana, Indonesia
  • MD Tanveer Rohan, Bangladesh
  • Julien Taub, France
  • Peter Voss, Germany

 

Split Second

  • Khairel Anuar Che Ani, Malaysia
  • Chaiyot Chanyam, Thailand
  • Mark Fulinara, United States
  • Dmitry Ivanov, Russia
  • Philip Joyce, United Kingdom
  • Franck Tridon, France
  • Petra Van Borm, Belgium
  • Cheung Yin Fang, Malaysia

 

Travel

  • Abhijit Banerjee, India
  • Tugo Cheng, Hong Kong
  • Simone Cmoon, Switzerland
  • Ralph Gräf, Germany
  • Lesley Hall, United Kingdom
  • Nick Kontostavlakis, Greece
  • Anasuya Mandal, India
  • Adriano Neves, Portugal
  • Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia
  • Tan Jia Yi, Malaysia

 

YOUTH COMPETITION

Open to photographers aged 19 and under, judged by the World Photography Organisation.

 

Culture

  • Zhu Lin Ch’ng, Malaysia
  • Sepehr Jamshidi Fard, Iran
  • Julia Golubov, Canada
  • Anna Jolly, United Kingdom
  • Jason Liu, Canada
  • Leena Meyers, Germany
  • Ramadhan Sinclair, Malaysia
  • Zohaib Tariq, Pakistan
  • Agung Krisna Wibawa, Indonesia (shortlisted twice in this category)

 

Environment

  • Charlie Burr, United States
  • Giorgio Granata, Italy
  • Jiaye Li, China
  • Lake Lewis, United States
  • Kumail Rizvi, Pakistan
  • Anais Stupka, Italy
  • Michael Theodric, Indonesia
  • Ekaterina Yashchenko, Russia
  • Hongbo Zhu, China

 

Portraits

  • Wai Lam Cheng, Hong Kong
  • Sam Delaware, United States
  • Ahmed Gaber, Egypt
  • Arno Goetz, United States
  • Thomas Hanks, United Kingdom
  • Gina Ienopoli, United States
  • Shahzad Khan, Pakistan
  • Ivana Pejak, Serbia
  • Talia Rudofsky, United Kingdom
  • Aaliyah Snider, United States
2016 Sony Word Photography Awards
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.