Sony World Photography Awards 2019: The Best Picture from Each Country

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Newsweek/Sony World Photography Awards 2019

The Sony World Photography Awards is one of the world's biggest and most important photography contests. Produced by the World Photography Organization and now in their 12th year of partnership with Sony, the awards consist of four competitions in total: Professional (for a body of work), Open (for a single image), Student (for academic institutions) and Youth (for 12-19 year olds). The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 17.

The 12th edition saw a record-breaking 326,997 submissions by photographers from 195 countries and territories, presenting some of the world's finest contemporary photography captured over the past year. The judges have sorted through these and have highlighted the work of photographers from 62 countries, promoting them on a global scale. With winners from Myanmar to Peru, Mexico to Vietnam, the National Awards offer a unique opportunity for photographers of all abilities to showcase their work globally.

Newsweek presents the 62 images chosen to represent their countries (we have listed the countries in reverse alphabetical order).

Vietnam
Vietnam: Untitled by Khanh Phan. "Father and son dressed as ghosts at the festival of gongs in Tay Nguyen, Vietnam." © Khanh Phan, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
United-Kingdom
United Kingdom: Underwater Gannets by Tracey Lund. "Whilst on a trip to Shetland, the biggest thing I wanted to do was photograph the gannets as they feed underwater. The photography takes place at sea around... © Tracey Lund, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Romania
United Arab Emirates: Endless Horizons by Paul-Vlad Epure. "Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. The last frontier. Never before have I seen such a vast, wild and almost untouched territory." © Paul-Vlad Epure, 2019 Sony World Photography Award
Turkey
Turkey: Artisan by Mehmet Aslan. "Soft pillow to ride on donkeys, made by a master." © Mehmet Aslan, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Thailand
Thailand: Lady in Red by Patara Mesuwan. "Holi Festival in India." © Patara Mesuwan, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Taiwan
Taiwan: Intense by Yung-sen Wu. "These Pacific species of salmon come to the west coast of Canada from the distant sea every autumn, and return to their birthplace in the river many miles inland." © Yung-sen Wu, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Switzerland
Switzerland: The Apostle Paul by Samuel Monot. "Project inspired by the Old Masters such as Rembrandt." © Samuel Monot, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Sweden
Sweden: Norrköping by Jonas Dahlström. "Norrköping, Sweden, November 2018." © Jonas Dahlström, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Sri-Lanka
Sri Lanka: Country Road by Tharinda Jayawardana. "This small road in the countryside cuts through the forest creating two divisions with beautiful distinctive patterns. Captured using a drone. The ability to get these kinds of perspectives... © Tharinda Jayawardana, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Spain
Spain: Face to Face by Manuel Enrique González Carmona. "Picture taken in Saltee Islands, Ireland. By means of a double exposure in camera, a single common murre (uria aalge) has been shown in two different positions,... © Manuel Enrique González Carmona, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
South-africa
South Africa: Inner Township Blues, Mapaseka Tembe by Alfred Mahlangu. "Outdoor shoot in Rockville, Tsakane, in the far east rand of Johannesburg, using natural light." © Alfred Mahlangu, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Slovenia
Slovenia: Agata K by Klemen Razinger. "This portrait is a part of series for a hairdresser team from Slovenia. Every year we create a body of work for their campaign where they illustrate the amazing colors... © Klemen Razinger, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Slovakia
Slovakia: Golden Waves by Radoslav  Cernicky. "Photo taken in Moravské Toskánsko (Moravian Tuscany), a very picturesque region in the southern part of Moravia." © Radoslav  Cernicky, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Singapore
Singapore: Crucifix Peddler by Albert Tan Chee Hiang Tan. © Albert Tan Chee Hiang Tan, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Serbia
Serbia: Sisters by Ranko Djurovic. "Taken in Ivanovo village, Serbia." © Ranko Djurovic, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Australia
Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Entrepreneurs by Nyree Cox. © Nyree Cox, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Russia
Russia: Some Night by Sergey Shcherbakov. This picture was made from 8 photographs taken from the same angle, but at different focal lengths. Evening on one of the main streets in the Old Town of Gdansk. © Sergey Shcherbakov, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Romania-2
Romania: Vasile by Alex Robciuc. "His whole life lived here, in a traditional wooden house in the picturesque village of Breb, Maramures county, Romania. But he chose a different life than the other people from his community. He... © Alex Robciuc, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Oman
Qatar: Magical Door by Abdulla Al-Mushaifri. "Playing with light and shadows to create a a cube puzzle figure, with a small door in the center of the cube, making you wonder where it will take... © Abdulla Al-Mushaifri, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Portugal
Portugal: The Wedding Day by Rui Caria. © Rui Caria, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Poland
Poland: Magic Moment by Piotr Leczkowski. "A magic moment backstage during rehearsal of the Polish National Ballet." © Piotr Leczkowski, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Philippines
Philippines: Midnight Surf by Paul Franzchel De Mesa. "I happened to visit the best island in the Philippines, Siargao. One night, the skies opened up revealing the Milky Way. And there's nowhere else worthy of... © Paul Franzchel De Mesa, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Peru
Peru: Agony & Ecstasy by Pedro Jarque Krebs: "Wide open mouth of a male sea lion." © Pedro Jarque Krebs, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Norway
Norway: Frozen Pond by Svein Nordrum. "Aerial view of a small frozen forest lake in Oslo, Norway." © Svein Nordrum, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
New-Zealand
New Zealand: Amish Woman and Baby by Todd Henry. "An Amish woman takes cover from the rain with her baby in Central Pennsylvania, USA." © Todd Henry, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Netherlands
Netherlands: Rubber Identity by Arwe Art. © Arwe Art, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Nepal
Nepal: The Harvest by Dikpal Thapa. "I got stung by one of the largest bees in the world and I had already killed almost 7 or 8 bees by the time I noticed hunters around me calmly... © Dikpal Thapa, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Myanmar
Myanmar: Dancing by Kyaw Win Hlaing. "This picture was taken near Taunggyi city in the northern Shan State, Myanmar. It shows a performance known as "Gingala"—a kind of dancing that imitates birds." © Kyaw Win Hlaing, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Mexico
Mexico: Fire Landscape by Victor Medina Gorosave. "Heroic work by firefighters in Mexicali, Baja California, attending a gigantic fire of a recycling plant fire that took place on July 6, 2018." © Victor Medina Gorosave, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Malaysia
Malaysia: Have You Been to a Chinese Opera? by Michael Chee Yen Chuan. "Taken at an opera stage in Cheok Beh Kieng Temple, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia. Each performer has unique makeup." © Michael Chee Yen Chuan, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Lithumania
Lithuania: The Face by Ruslan Bolgov. © Ruslan Bolgov, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Latvia
Latvia: Kerlingarfjöll by Arvids Baranovs. "Exploring the otherworldly geothermal area of Kerlingarfjöll, Icelandic Highlands. I had my friend run forward and stand on the clay hill for scale. It was very loud due to numerous geysers... © Arvids Baranovs, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Kuwait
Kuwait: The Beauty of the Gulf by Mohammad Mirza. "An aerial shot taken with a Mavic 2 Pro dune over the seaside of Kuwait city during the low tide." © Mohammad Mirza, 2019 Sony World Photography Award
Korea
Korea (Republic of): Red Fishing Net Making by Master Na. "This photo shows a Vietnamese woman wearing a conical hat making red nets by hand in a traditional way. I took this photo in a... © Master Na, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Japan
Japan: Victory by Toshio Ishido. "Football World Cup of 2018: A sight of Shibuya just after the Japanese match finished. Honoring Japan who won the game, the crowd of people are filled with delight." © Toshio Ishido, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Italy
Italy: The Hug by Nicola Vincenzo Rinaldi. "Only the feet escape the tight embrace." © Nicola Vincenzo Rinaldi, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Ireland
Ireland: Diver Light by Laura O'Flynn. "I took this photo as I was drawn to how the rays of light illuminate the bubbles as they race to the surface. I also wanted to convey the contrast... © Laura O'Flynn, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Indonesia
Indonesia: Fish Eyes by Hardijanto Budyman. "A creative experiment of a conceptual portrait." © Hardijanto Budyman, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
India
India: Untitled by Joydeep Mukherjee. "A street fire breathing performance by a local young boy." © Joydeep Mukherjee, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Hungary
Hungary: Győr, 23 March 2018, 11:03:39 by Zoltán Nemes 'mettor'. "One of the emblematic memories of the old industry of Győr, the blasting of the last chimney of a former vegetable oil factory." © Zoltán Nemes 'mettor', 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Hong-Kong
Hong Kong: Peony and Leaves by Rachel Yee Laam Lai. "This is a photograph of my resin artwork. Using self-made paint mixed with resin to capture colors in liquefaction and also in petrifaction. It looks... © Rachel Yee Laam Lai, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Guatemala
Guatemala (and Central American award): Patrono by Juan Herrera Zuluaga. "This picture was taken during Holy Week, the biggest Catholic festival. These men are called "Cucuruchos", and they dress in purple in order to celebrate Christ's death... © Juan Herrera Zuluaga, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Greece
Greece: The Hands by Filippos Alafakis. "A man has just dived from a trampoline into the sea at a crowded beach on Rhodes island." © Filippos Alafakis, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Germany
Germany: Follow Us by Baerbel Brechtel. "It is a stormy day. There are 4 horses on two sites of a little creek. It seems the two horses in the foreground can't make up their minds... © Baerbel Brechtel, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
France
France: Untitled by Greg Lecoeur. "For many years gray seals have been hunted by humans for their fur and fat, particularly in the 19th century, and they have disappeared from many areas of their normal range.... © Greg Lecoeur, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Finland
Finland: Tourism in Helsinki by Heikki Kivijärvi. "This was shot after a blizzard at Helsinki cathedral. Usually this place is filled with tourists from all over the world but this time there was only few people... © Heikki Kivijärvi, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Estonia
Estonia: Powerful Nature by Hendrik Mändla. "Photo taken on top of the Valahnukur mountain in Thorsmork, Iceland." © Hendrik Mändla, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Ecuador
Ecuador: In Your Eyes by Anamaria Chediak. "This picture was taken in Cuba in February 2018 and shows Karina, a girl I had a chance to photograph in a traditional old house in La Habana." © Anamaria  Chediak, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Denmark
© Inger Rønnenfelt, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Czech-Republic
Czech Republic: Dreamers and Warriors by Martin Stranka. © Martin Stranka, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Croatia
Croatia: Garage by Kozjak Boris. Taken in Barcs, Hungary, January 2018. © Kozjak Boris, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Colombia
Colombia; The Dogs by Juan Camilo Arias. "I liked the light entering through the window and the atmosphere surrounding the room. Also there were two dogs sleeping on the couch, so I just took the picture.... © Juan Camilo Arias, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
China-2
China: Shadow Puppetry by Pan Jianhua. "Shadow puppetry is an ancient folk art with a history of more than 2,000 years in China. The performers put on a puppet show for the local villagers in the courtyard... © Pan Jianhua, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Chile
Chile: Dance in the Subway of Santiago de Chile by Maria Paz Morales. "Photograph taken in the subway of Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile, October 2018." © Maria Paz Morales, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Canada
Canada: Life is Crushing Me by Jasem Khlef. "A young man who has become homeless after his mother kicked him out into the street." © Jasem Khlef, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Cambodia
Cambodia: Untitled by Ketodara Yin. © Ketodara Yin, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Bulgaria
Bulgaria: The Salt of the Sea by Yavor Michev. "People bathing in healing salts near Bourgas, Bulgaria." © Yavor Michev, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Belgium
Belgium: Canoe in the Dark by Jasper Lefevre. "Shot at Walchenklamm in Germany when it was raining in the middle of the night. My best friend that was helping with the lights even fell in the water.... © Jasper Lefevre, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Family Destination by Md. Tofazzal Hossain. © Md. Tofazzal Hossain, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Austria
Austria: Untitled by Simon Mag. art. Bauer. "Dismantling the old Anton Bruckner University in Linz, Austria." © Simon Mag. art. Bauer, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Australia2
Australia: Untitled by Marc Stapelberg. "Steven Walker, a local indigenous man from regional Australia who has primarily worked in landcare for the last 15 years." © Marc Stapelberg, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Argentina
Argentina: Pilar 3 by Gisela Filc. "Pilar resembles Botticelli's women, with her reddish hair, white skin and melancholy look." © Gisela Filc, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

Being recognized in the Open and National Awards competitions can change photographers' lives. Successes from the past year include Pedro Jarque Krebs, a Peruvian photographer who was shortlisted for the 2018 Open competition's Wildlife category and won Peru's National Award. He has gone on to win further prestigious international awards and has been published by media worldwide.

All Open category and National Award winners receive the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony. In addition, the winning works will be published in the 2019 Awards' book and shown at the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London from April 18 to May 6, with works then going on to tour internationally to Italy, Germany and Japan.

See the World Photography Organization website for further details about the Sony World Photography Awards.

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