The World Photography Organization has revealed the shortlisted photographers for the Professional competition of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards. The 2019 Professional competition received its highest number of entries to date, with submissions by photographers from 161 countries as far afield as Gabon, Paraguay, Saint Kitts & Nevis and Iran.
The judges have chosen a range of images across ten diverse categories: Architecture, Creative, Documentary, Landscape, Natural World & Wildlife, Portraiture, Sport, Still Life, Brief and Discovery.
The shortlisted photographers offer their interpretations of the modern world in its many forms. Some tackle political issues: Daniel Ochoa de Olza's architectural images focus on the Mexico-U.S. border wall prototypes, whereas Toby Binder depicts the lives of youths in Northern Ireland and the impact Brexit may have on the 1998 Peace Agreement. Others focus on the beauty of the natural world and man's effect upon it, or offer insights into lives and places that might otherwise be unknown.
All Professional shortlisted photographers will now go on to compete to become category winners, eligible for the Photographer of the Year title and a prize of $25,000. First, second and third placings in each category will be awarded on April 17 and their work will be shown at the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London, before touring globally.
The full shortlist contains series of five to ten images, often taken from larger bodies of work. Newsweek presents just a small selection of shortlisted images from across the various categories.
Edward Thompson, United Kingdom: Miss Faversham. Margate, Kent, England. Edward Thompson, United Kingdom: Miss Faversham. Margate, Kent, England. Edward Thompson/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Kyung-Hoon Kim, South Korea: Maria Meza, a 40-year-old migrant woman from Honduras, runs away from tear gas with her five-year-old twin daughters Saira and Cheili in front of the border wall between the US and Mexico, in...Kyung-Hoon Kim, South Korea: Maria Meza, a 40-year-old migrant woman from Honduras, runs away from tear gas with her five-year-old twin daughters Saira and Cheili in front of the border wall between the US and Mexico, in Tijuana, Mexico, November 25, 2018.Kyung-Hoon Kim/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Kyung-Hoon Kim, South Korea: Fernando Velosque, a migrant boy from Honduras, sits in front of Mexican policemen while a group of migrants gather near the El Chaparral port of entry between Mexico and the United States...Kyung-Hoon Kim, South Korea: Fernando Velosque, a migrant boy from Honduras, sits in front of Mexican policemen while a group of migrants gather near the El Chaparral port of entry between Mexico and the United States in Tijuana, Mexico, November 22, 2018.Kyung-Hoon Kim/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
David Behar, United States: Yellow and White Cabana.David Behar, United States: Yellow and White Cabana.David Behar/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Andrew Kelly, Australia: Ayah, 37 and Aisha, 18, drink from Burger King cups in a mall ahead of the face veil ban in Hundige, Denmark, July 19, 2018.Andrew Kelly, Australia: Ayah, 37 and Aisha, 18, drink from Burger King cups in a mall ahead of the face veil ban in Hundige, Denmark, July 19, 2018.Andrew Kelly/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Andrew Kelly, Australia: Ayah weeps as she is embraced by a police officer during a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 1, 2018.Andrew Kelly, Australia: Ayah weeps as she is embraced by a police officer during a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 1, 2018.Andrew Kelly/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Alain Schroeder, Belgium: For the first time since 2013 and in honor of the 70th anniversary of the creation of North Korea on September 9, 1948, the Mass Games, also known as the Arirang Festival,...Alain Schroeder, Belgium: For the first time since 2013 and in honor of the 70th anniversary of the creation of North Korea on September 9, 1948, the Mass Games, also known as the Arirang Festival, are held at the May Day stadium in Pyongyang, one of the largest stadiums in the world.Alain Schroeder/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Sigurd Fandango, Norway: Dennis and Cindy Adere brought their car collection along to watch the action during Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.Sigurd Fandango, Norway: Dennis and Cindy Adere brought their car collection along to watch the action during Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.Sigurd Fandango/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Sigurd Fandango, Norway: Lee Dickerson, a member of the “Hot Rod Hoodlums” team, enjoys a cigarette after a successful run on "The Flats".Sigurd Fandango, Norway: Lee Dickerson, a member of the “Hot Rod Hoodlums” team, enjoys a cigarette after a successful run on "The Flats".Sigurd Fandango/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Imma Barrera, United States: Joshua and the sky.Imma Barrera, United States: Joshua and the sky.Imma Barrera/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Pol Kurucz, France: Bubble Up!Pol Kurucz, France: Bubble Up!Pol Kurucz/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Pol Kurucz, France: BlaskimoPol Kurucz, France: BlaskimoPol Kurucz/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Zhipeng Zhu, China: "The dormitory is the living space of college students. The objects in the dormitory embody personal hobbies, habits and so on. I exaggerate the articles in the dormitory to show the personality...Zhipeng Zhu, China: "The dormitory is the living space of college students. The objects in the dormitory embody personal hobbies, habits and so on. I exaggerate the articles in the dormitory to show the personality of these people."Zhipeng Zhu/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Toby Binder, Germany: Young boy and old men at a Protestant parade on Crumlin Road, Shankhill, Belfast, Northern Ireland..Toby Binder, Germany: Young boy and old men at a Protestant parade on Crumlin Road, Shankhill, Belfast, Northern Ireland..Toby Binder/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Toby Binder, Germany: Brendan behind a police line at Trinity Street, Carrick Hill, Belfast, Northern Ireland.Toby Binder, Germany: Brendan behind a police line at Trinity Street, Carrick Hill, Belfast, Northern Ireland.Toby Binder/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Stephan Zirwes, Germany: The twin slide. "An important decision for every child: slide to the left, you can stand in shallow water. Slide to the right, you have to swim in the deep water. Built...Stephan Zirwes, Germany: The twin slide. "An important decision for every child: slide to the left, you can stand in shallow water. Slide to the right, you have to swim in the deep water. Built in 1964 and accompanied me through my childhood."Stephan Zirwes/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Brent Stirton, South Africa: Petronella Chigumbura, 30, an elite member of the all-female Akashinga conservation ranger force, undergoes stealth movement and concealment training in the bush near their base at Phundundu Wildlife Area, Zimbabwe, June...Brent Stirton, South Africa: Petronella Chigumbura, 30, an elite member of the all-female Akashinga conservation ranger force, undergoes stealth movement and concealment training in the bush near their base at Phundundu Wildlife Area, Zimbabwe, June 2018.Brent Stirton/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Brent Stirton, South Africa: Members of the all-female conservation ranger force known as Akashinga undergo tough training in a water hole near their base at Phundundu Wildlife Area, Zimbabwe, June 2018.Brent Stirton, South Africa: Members of the all-female conservation ranger force known as Akashinga undergo tough training in a water hole near their base at Phundundu Wildlife Area, Zimbabwe, June 2018.Brent Stirton/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Christina Stohn, Germany: Local, traditional costume during a Corpus Christi procession.Christina Stohn, Germany: Local, traditional costume during a Corpus Christi procession.Christina Stohn/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Jasper Doest, Netherlands: Bob is a Caribbean flamingo, from the Dutch island of Curaçao. His life took a dramatic turn when he flew into a hotel window, leaving him severely concussed. He was cared for...Jasper Doest, Netherlands: Bob is a Caribbean flamingo, from the Dutch island of Curaçao. His life took a dramatic turn when he flew into a hotel window, leaving him severely concussed. He was cared for by Odette Doest, a local vet who also runs a wildlife rehabilitation centre and conservation charity. In this photo, Odette makes supper, accompanied by Bob and, on her shoulder, Willy, a two-year-old free-flying chestnut-fronted macaw she rescued as a chick. Odette and her son also share their home with nine cats and ten dogs. Bob is unfazed by his housemates.Jasper Doest/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Jasper Doest, Netherlands: Bob walks through the hallway, past the bathroom, back to his room. During rehabilitation, DVM Odette Doest found out that Bob had been habituated by humans and therefore could not be reintroduced...Jasper Doest, Netherlands: Bob walks through the hallway, past the bathroom, back to his room. During rehabilitation, DVM Odette Doest found out that Bob had been habituated by humans and therefore could not be reintroduced back into the wild. So now he spends his time at her house, where he shares a room with his other avian rescue friends.Jasper Doest/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Alice Mann, South Africa: The Avondale Primary Majorettes.Alice Mann, South Africa: The Avondale Primary Majorettes.Alice Mann/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Alain Schroeder, Belgium: The rescue of an orangutan lost in a rubber plantation near Bangun Sari village in the Aceh province of Northern Sumatra Indonesia. Alain Schroeder, Belgium: The rescue of an orangutan lost in a rubber plantation near Bangun Sari village in the Aceh province of Northern Sumatra Indonesia. Alain Schroeder/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Alain Schroeder, Belgium: Substitute mother Selvi teaches Jating, a 1-year-old orphaned male orangutan, to climb on trees in the playground at the SOCP (Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program) Quarantine Center, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.Alain Schroeder, Belgium: Substitute mother Selvi teaches Jating, a 1-year-old orphaned male orangutan, to climb on trees in the playground at the SOCP (Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program) Quarantine Center, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.Alain Schroeder/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Karina Bikbulatova, Russian Federation: "Two sisters abandoned by their father meet once a year in a small village, but don't know that they are sisters. Gulshat lives in a poor family, in a small village....Karina Bikbulatova, Russian Federation: "Two sisters abandoned by their father meet once a year in a small village, but don't know that they are sisters. Gulshat lives in a poor family, in a small village. Alina lives in the city, studies in a prestigious school, and does ballet. Karina Bikbulatova/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Thomas Nielsen, Denmark: Reading FC fans celebrate outside The Griffin.Thomas Nielsen, Denmark: Reading FC fans celebrate outside The Griffin.Thomas Nielsen/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Thomas Nielsen, Denmark: Brentford FC fan Craig Nickels, 37, rejoices with his friends after their team came back from 2-1 in the second half of the game against Reading FC.Thomas Nielsen, Denmark: Brentford FC fan Craig Nickels, 37, rejoices with his friends after their team came back from 2-1 in the second half of the game against Reading FC.Thomas Nielsen/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Mustafa Hassona, Palestine: A shirtless young protester in Gaza grips a Palestinian flag with one hand and swings a slingshot over his head with the other, on the northern border between the Gaza Strip and...Mustafa Hassona, Palestine: A shirtless young protester in Gaza grips a Palestinian flag with one hand and swings a slingshot over his head with the other, on the northern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the weekly protests against the blockade of Gaza, which has been imposed by Israel for the past 12 years.Mustafa Hassona/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Daniel Ochoa de Olza, Spain: A border wall prototype stands in San Diego, near the Mexico-U.S. border, as seen from Tijuana.Daniel Ochoa de Olza, Spain: A border wall prototype stands in San Diego, near the Mexico-U.S. border, as seen from Tijuana.Daniel Ochoa de Olza/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Daniel Ochoa de Olza, Spain: A border wall prototype stands in San Diego, near the Mexico-U.S. border, as seen from Tijuana.Daniel Ochoa de Olza, Spain: A border wall prototype stands in San Diego, near the Mexico-U.S. border, as seen from Tijuana.Daniel Ochoa de Olza/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Liang Fu, China: Curious couple. "A white-banded cleaner shrimp hops on a moray eel to eat dead skin."Liang Fu, China: Curious couple. "A white-banded cleaner shrimp hops on a moray eel to eat dead skin."Liang Fu/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Rebecca Fertinel, Belgium: Bridesmaids/Rebecca Fertinel, Belgium: Bridesmaids/Rebecca Fertinel,/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Scarlett Coten, France: Stephen, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2018.Scarlett Coten, France: Stephen, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2018.Scarlett Coten/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Scarlett Coten, France: Bryan, Palm Springs, California, 2017.Scarlett Coten, France: Bryan, Palm Springs, California, 2017.Scarlett Coten/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Marta Moreiras, Spain: Birama & Ndeye Fatou.Marta Moreiras, Spain: Birama & Ndeye Fatou.Marta Moreiras/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Marta Moreiras, Spain: Cheikh & Zoé.Marta Moreiras, Spain: Cheikh & Zoé.Marta Moreiras/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Boyuan Zhang, China: The day before the Corban Festival, people return to their hometown for a reunion in Xinjiang autonomous region in North Western China.Boyuan Zhang, China: The day before the Corban Festival, people return to their hometown for a reunion in Xinjiang autonomous region in North Western China.Boyuan Zhang/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Trent Mitchell, Australia: Inner Atlas.Trent Mitchell, Australia: Inner Atlas.Trent Mitchell/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Marco Kesseler, United Kingdom: "Winter in the polytunnel; dried asparagus plants being cleared in anticipation for the roots to throw out new shoots in the spring."Marco Kesseler, United Kingdom: "Winter in the polytunnel; dried asparagus plants being cleared in anticipation for the roots to throw out new shoots in the spring."Marco Kesseler/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Kohei Ueno, Japan: Beneath the surface of competitive freediving.Kohei Ueno, Japan: Beneath the surface of competitive freediving.Kohei Ueno/2019 Sony World Photography Awards
Kieran Dodds, United Kingdom: Debre Mihret Arbiatu Ensesa church near Ambesane surrounded by subsistence agriculture. "Ethiopia has lost 95% of its native forests due to human activity in the last century. What remains surrounds circular...Kieran Dodds, United Kingdom: Debre Mihret Arbiatu Ensesa church near Ambesane surrounded by subsistence agriculture. "Ethiopia has lost 95% of its native forests due to human activity in the last century. What remains surrounds circular Tewahedo Orthodox churches; these ancient canopies are protected as a tenet of faith."Kieran Dodds/2019 World Photography Awards
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
David Sim is the Associate Picture Editor at Newsweek (London). His responsibilities include managing the website's image gallery content and producing captivating photo reports on global news events. Prior to joining Newsweek, David was Picture Editor at International Business Times UK and the Telegraph Online.
David Sim is the Associate Picture Editor at Newsweek (London). His responsibilities include managing the website's image gallery content and producing ...
Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
Newsletter
The Bulletin
Your Morning Starts Here
Begin your day with a curated outlook of top news around the world and why it matters.
By clicking on SIGN ME UP, you agree to Newsweek's Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.
