Sony World Photography Awards 2016 shortlist highlights exceptional architecture shots

PETALING JAYA (Mar 13): The 2016 Sony World Photography Awards has shortlisted the submissions for its competition, which include some stunning architectural photography.

Over 230,103 images from 186 countries were received – the highest in the award’s history since its launch in 2007 – the committee announced in a press release.

The world’s biggest photography competition organised by the World Photography Organisation saw the number of entries in the professional category go up by 45% from 2014 and has received over 1 million images since its launch.

The contest is divided into three categories – professional, open and youth with different photo themes such as architecture, culture, landscape and candid.

The organisation announced the finalists on Feb 23 with 270 photographers representing nearly 60 countries.

Out of the 270 photographers, eight are from Malaysia.

The honorary jury for the competition is chaired by UK-based consultant at Bytesized Entertainment Dominique Green and UK-based writer and photography curator Sue Stewart who have identified extraordinary work by emerging and seasoned photographers all around the world.

“I am touched by the depth of passion and commitment the photographers show to society through their work,” Green said.

Some of the themes which appealed to the judges include originality and a strong sense of empathy and subtle themes such as the delicate handling of intimate, private moments by photographers; the capturing of major public stories dominating the news, from the conflict in the Ukraine to the endless lines of refugees in search of a better life in Europe; and the use of new technology to create work, including drone and underwater photography.

Some of the finalists include 2013 winner Christian Aslund from Sweden, shortlisted participant in 2015 Jonathan Carvajal from Columbia, and 2015 winner Fan Li from China.

“We are extremely satisfied with our jurors’ choice this year. Despite the increase in entries and participants this year, we have witnessed a wealth of powerful imagery in the traditionally strong social documentary categories as well as the art and conceptual work,” World Photography Organisation CEO Scott Gray commented.

The winners will be announced at the Sony World Photography Awards Gala ceremony in London on April 21 and the shortlisted images will be exhibited at Somerset House, London from April 22 to May 8 and published in the 2016 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.

See some of the stunning pictures here.