The World Photography Organization has finally revealed the winners of this year’s Sony World Photography Awards, one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world, on 9 June 2020.
The photographs represent the best snapshots from professional photographers. of what professionals
Let’s have a look at the winners.
Photographer of the Year
Photo © Pablo Albarenga | 2020 Sony World Photography Awards
Photographer: Pablo Albarenga
Title: Seeds of Resistance 3
Image Description: “José is one of the leaders of the Achuar indigenous people in the Sharamentsa community. He defends his rainforest by generating projects in collaboration with external organizations. One of them aims to create an indigenous group to monitor their territory from the ground and also by using aerial technology such as drones.
Left: José lying down in his yard over a banana leaf, dressed in traditional Achuar clothing.
Right: The Achuar rainforest at the back of José’s house. Sharamentsa, Pastaza, Ecuador.”
Check more of his work here:
Open Photographer of the Year
Photographer: Tom Oldham
Title: Black Francis
Image Description: “Photographers for MOJO Magazine enjoy a rare degree of freedom and trust with what is usually an open brief. This allows us to capture our own experience with very high profile musicians. However, when photographing famous singers, we are often painfully aware of how many times the sitter has, well, sat. I like to acknowledge this and asked Charles (aka Black Francis) to show me the level of frustration photoshoots can generate. He offered up this perfect gesture of exasperation, and the image ran as the lead portrait for the feature.”
More of Tom Oldham’s work:
Student Photographer of the Year
Photographer: Ioanna Sakellaraki
Title: Aeiforia
Series Description: “In an era of climate change and challenges around sustainability, islands are particularly vulnerable. Insular by their very nature, these land masses usually depend on fossil fuels and imports for energy (despite the high transportation costs). Until a few years ago, the idea of an island being fully reliant on clean energy was almost unthinkable, and yet it is about to become a reality on Tilos in Greece.
These images were taken in the island’s capital, Megálo Chorió, which is home to just 70 people during the winter. At night the passageways, rooftops and yards are illuminated by moonlight, presenting plenty of opportunities for photography. The islanders use various solar panels and energy devices including some handmade versions. The aim is to keep these running for as long as possible to help sustain households throughout the winter.”
More images from the series:
Youth Photographer of the Year
Photographer: Hsien-Pang Hsieh
Title: Hurry
Image Description: “This image was taken shortly after I came to Germany to study. It was the first time I had traveled abroad alone, and I felt under enormous pressure. There were so many things to learn at school, and I was also trying to fit in with everyone else.
Although this man looks as though he’s in a rush to get to work, he’s actually standing still – and it’s this dichotomy that appealed to me. These days, with life moving at such a frantic pace, it’s important for people to slow down. When I’m facing challenges I look at this picture and it reminds me to take a moment and just breathe.”
Check out more of his work:
1st Place – Architecture
Photographer: Sandra Herber
Title: Ice Fishing Hut XV
1st Place – Documentary
Photographer: Chung Ming Ko
Title: Wounds of Hong Kong 7
1st Place – Environment
Photographer: Robin Hinsch
Title: Natural gas flaring site, Ughelli, Niger Delta, Nigeria.
1st Place – Landscape
Photographer: Ronny Behnert
Title: Torii Einootsurugi
1st Place – Natural World & Wildlife
Photographer: Brent Stirton
Title: Pangolins in Crisis 1
1st Place – Sport
Photographer: Ángel López Soto
Title: Senegalese Wrestlers 3
1st Place – Still Life
Photographer: Alessandro Gandolfi
Title: Immortality 8
1st Place – Portraiture
Photographer: Cesar Dezfuli
Title: Oumar. Guinea Conakry (1999).
Left: Oumar portrayed on 1st August 2016 on board a rescue vessel in the Mediterranean sea.
Right: Oumar portrayed on 19th January 2019 in Italy, where he currently lives.
