The Sony World Photography Awards is back with its 2025 edition, and the organization has already announced its National & Regional Award. This award was set up by Sony and Creo with the World Photography Organisation to support local talent from around the world. This year, the entries were received from 56 countries, while the National and Regional Award winners were selected from the Open competition. Without further ado, here is a look at the stunning winners.
All images are used with permission.
Bangladesh – Syed Mahabubul Kader
A group of workers unloads paddy straw from a truck. The rice straw is a by-product of farming that is used for a variety of purposes, including cattle feed and fuel.
Cambodia – Sam Ang Ourng
Historically, women have not had the same rights and freedoms as men. This image shows a woman practicing her skills at Phare Ponleu Selpak, demonstrating talents that are often associated with masculinity. She is free to soar, displaying both her confidence and ability.
China Mainland – Hao Guo, Winner
‘The moment the rocket launched into the sky, our hearts flew.’
China Mainland – Yaping Du, 2nd Place
This image depicts the carefree life of children in the mountains.
China Mainland – KunPeng Zhu, 3rd Place
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) over the Badain Jaran Desert in Inner Mongolia, China.
Egypt – Ahmed Abdallah
The Abu Al-Fasad bird is known for its elegance and graceful movements. This small bird holds a special place in the Egyptian environment, symbolizing vibrant nature and beauty. Photographed at Dahab Island, Giza, this image reveals the intricate details of the bird in flight against a natural backdrop. The photographer waited for four hours in the direct sun, to capture this moment.
Germany – Timo Zilz
This image captures the essence of Icelandic natural landscapes: green and brown moss, water cascading down a canyon and a mountain covered in snow and fog.
India – Rajeev Gaikwad
Amidst a vast abandoned waste marble dumping yard in Kishangarh, Rajasthan, a lone tree reaches towards the sky, its bare branches a testament to its resilience. Hanging from the branch, the vivid burst of color of the two bags introduces a touch of humanity. In this image, the photographer reflects on the delicate balance between nature and human presence in an unforgiving landscape.
Indonesia – Sim Jhones Gozali
Mount Merapi is a highly active volcano in Indonesia; lava is still flowing from it today.
Kazakhstan – Anel Bazylova
This 29-year-old girl has a rare condition known as ‘phantom bone disease’ (Gorham-Stout syndrome) and must carry an oxygen system with her wherever she goes. Despite her challenges, she hasn’t lost her sense of humor and still loves life. For this portrait, the photographer decorated the oxygen system with small flowers to symbolize the flow of life.
Republic of Korea – Kibong Nam, Winner
Captured with a slow shutter speed, the water falling over this waterfall spreads like a crown. The image showcases Iceland’s natural beauty – the flowing water conveys a mystical and grand feeling beneath the dark sky, which accentuates the texture of the surrounding rocks.
Republic of Korea – Gilyoung Pyo, 2nd Place
This is a breathtaking winter view of Uhwajeong Pavilion in Naejangsan National Park, South Korea. The snow-covered landscape transforms the scene into a tranquil masterpiece reminiscent of a traditional Korean ink-wash painting, created using shades of ink without adding colors. The hills and the serene lake create a harmonious balance, showing the beauty of Korea’s natural wonders.
Republic of Korea – Kyunghwan Oh, 3rd Place
This photograph was taken in an underwater cave on the South Korean island of Ulleungdo.
Kuwait – Mohammad Mirza
Photographing a black rhino on a misty morning in such an atmospheric setting emphasizes its beauty and majesty. The mist adds a dreamlike quality to the scene.
Malaysia – Wan Yong Chong
In this photograph, a group of freedivers skilfully defy gravity, suspended upside down beneath a boat in clear water. Their silhouettes create a mesmerizing scene that is reminiscent of the ‘Spider-Verse’; their forms seem to dance in harmony with the underwater world, blending the artistry of human movement with the fluidity of aquatic life.
Myanmar – Zay Yar Lin
A local farmer and his family have breakfast, having worked since the early morning at a paddy field in the Old Bagan, Myanmar.
Nepal – Rabik Upadhayay
In a rundown karaoke bar – popularly known as a KTV – a young waitress waits for customers. Away from the tourist hubs of Siem Reap, Cambodia, these local KTVs echo with the shouts of ‘juol mouy!’ (Khmer for ‘cheers!’). These lively spots attract men from all walks of life seeking food, music, and conversation with the young waitresses. VIP boxes offer private karaoke for an extra fee, with the girls welcoming patrons late into the night.
Nigeria – Nsikanabasi Effiong
This image is part of a series that captures the intimate journey of a couple navigating the complexities of love and life together. The series explores themes of connection, vulnerability, and the enduring power of companionship. Each frame reflects the delicate balance of individuality and unity as the couple weaves their shared narrative against the backdrop of time and circumstance.
Pakistan – Ali Sohail
Burning together, these sparklers created a mesmerizing image.
Philippines – Renzer Rev Damaso
This photograph was taken during a campus sports festival in the Philippines. The photographer carefully adjusted their shutter speed to freeze the moment the ball hit the rim.
Poland – Hanna Kantor
An electrifying concert by the French band La Femme, who were performing in Warsaw, Poland. The atmosphere at the event was truly mesmerizing, as psychedelic rock and infectious energy swept through the crowd. This unforgettable moment was captured when one of the musicians spontaneously leaped into the audience.
Qatar – Ridhwan Mohammed Rafi
This is the photographer’s favorite image from his ‘Biowoolness’ fashion shoot for the Hungarian fashion studio Pinkponilo.
Saudi Arabia – Mohammed Muhtasib
Toji train station in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The station is bustling with people returning from jama’ah prayer, reflecting community and faith.
Singapore – Ng Guang Ze
During a solo hike in Wenhai, China, the photographer came across a serene, narrow stream meandering through dark grasslands, flowing towards a vast, still lake in the distance. The image was edited with muted tones and high contrast to evoke the look of a pencil sketch, capturing the solitude and tranquillity of the journey.
South Africa – Werner De Kock
Baily Head, in Antarctica, is home to around 100,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins. The photographer watched a conveyor belt of penguins coming and going from the beach, keeping his focus on a single spot and waiting for them to return to the beach as the surf was breaking.
Sri Lanka – Sasindu Pramuditha
The priests (kapuwa) in charge of the nearby temple display their devotion to God at a ceremony at the Sinigama Sri Devol Shrine in Sri Lanka. This particular woman was behaving differently to the other priests, which drew the photographer’s attention.
Taiwan – Chen De-Huang
The world-famous Coming True Fire Group put on a free performance of their Firemosa tour for a group of local children. This decisive moment was captured during their Fire Fall dance, which lit up the eyes of the audience.
Thailand – Kiyoshi Hijiki
An aerial shot follows a boat as it cruises into Thailand’s beautiful Phang Nga Bay.
Turkey – Rahsan Firtina
A club in Hanoi, Vietnam, where retired soldiers play table tennis and card games.
United Arab Emirates – Donell Gumiran
This photograph captures a moment as an Emirati woman stands by the Corniche seaside in Abu Dhabi, with an old fisherman’s boat in the foreground, gazing thoughtfully at the horizon. Dressed in traditional attire, she exudes a sense of pride and strength. The photographer notes that she ‘embodies the rich heritage of Arab culture.’ The tranquil sea in front of her symbolizes a deep connection to the land and the traditions that shape Emirati identity.
Uzbekistan – Mubina Fayzullaeva
A young passerby walks through the secluded streets of Tashkent, his hands busy carrying the weight of empty hearts on a gloomy summer morning.
Vietnam – Việt Văn Trân
A swing set in a rose garden provides the ideal setting for playful Hmong children. Their mother is right there with them, not just watching but joining in. In the cool mountain air of Son La province in Northern Vietnam they find warmth through familial love and connection.
The Sony World Photography Awards will give Sony cameras and lenses to the National and Regional Award winners. Their work will also be displayed at Somerset House, London. The winners of the Student, Youth, Open, and Professional competitions of the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 will be announced on April 16. For more information, visit the World Photography Organisation’s website.