“Huli Tribesman” ©Roberto Pazzi. All rights reserved. Finalist, People
“This portrait features a Huli wigman tribesman. The Huli are an Indigenous Melanesian ethnic group who reside in the Hela Province of Papua New Guinea. There are over 250,000 Huli, making them one of the largest cultural groups in Papua New Guinea.”

“Burning of the Tower of Babel” © Maria Plotnikova. All rights reserved. Finalist, Drone/Aerial
“Residents celebrate the festival of Maslenitsa in Nikola-Lenivets park, in Russia's Kaluga region.”

“The Family” © Olav Thokle. All rights reserved. Finalist, Natural World
“The cheetah Nashipae and her four three-month-old cubs.”

“Surrounded by Yellow” © Sritam Kumar Sethy. All rights reserved. Finalist, Artistic
“This is a macro shot of a boy's eye caked in yellow powder during the Indian festival of Holi. I saw this boy's face while roaming around and was drawn to it. I asked to take a picture of his eye, and he was very cooperative. The picture shows the real emotions of an individual toward the festival. The culture and tradition behind Holi is an ultimate triumph of good over evil.”

“The Fast and the Furriest” © Deena Sveinsson. All rights reserved. Finalist, American Experience
“On a cool and dry December day in Grand Teton National Park, these three young bull moose were playing and romping as young bull moose do. They were the smaller bulls of the bunch, and that day, many other photographers were chasing the larger and more mature bulls in the area. I made a choice not to follow my friends, hoping for a rarer photo opportunity if the moose did indeed come to the water’s edge or perhaps got into the water. I did not know what these young bull moose would do, but I had high hopes and made a gamble. After waiting for hours, I finally saw my opportunity as they walked briskly toward the water’s edge, entered the water, and started playing like children. I slowly and deliberately got into the water with my camera and squatted down low, and my muck boots, coat, and pants got completely soaked and covered in mud. But I got this photo, one of my favorites ever from this area.”

“Among Us” © Tony Van Le. All rights reserved. Finalist, American Experience
“Unseen heroes walk among us every day. These unsung people may not possess superhuman abilities, but they change lives in meaningful ways, embodying strength, compassion, and resilience. This bus-riding Spider-Man serves as a reminder that heroism can emerge from unexpected places.”

“Toddy Palm Climber” © Kyaw Zay Yar Lin. All rights reserved. Finalist, Travel
“In this rural scene, a man is climbing a toddy palm tree to get palm wine. He is climbing with good balance and trying not to fall.”

“The Dance of the Flamingos” © Silke Hullmann. All rights reserved. Finalist, Drone/Aerial
“Thousands of flamingos populate Lake Bogoria and dance on the water. There are always spots that the animals avoid for whatever reason as they form their own patterns.”

“Sunset at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto” © Nina Kloss. All rights reserved. Finalist, Travel
“Kiyomizu-dera, also known as the “Temple of the Pure Water Spring,” is a historic Buddhist temple nestled in Kyoto, Japan. With a rich history spanning over 1,250 years, the temple is situated halfway up Mount Otowa, amid Kyoto’s scenic Higashiyama mountain range. Dedicated to Kannon, a deity symbolizing mercy and compassion, Kiyomizu-dera attracts numerous visitors each year. I was lucky that I managed to time my visit to Kyoto with the peak of sakura season. For one week in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the temple extends its opening hours until dark, offering a mesmerizing view of the pagoda and over 1,500 cherry blossoms set against the setting sun.”

“Archie at Club Ebony” © Rory Doyle. All rights reserved. Finalist, People
“Archie Beckworth looks up at the recently remodeled Club Ebony in Indianola, Mississippi. The club was made famous by Indianola hometown hero B.B. King.”

“Baby Alligator Floating in a Pond” © Kent Stuart. All rights reserved. Finalist, Natural World
“This baby alligator was with a few others and a small adult in a roadside pond in the Everglades.”

“Rose Walk” © Somenath Mukhopadhyay. All rights reserved. Finalist, Travel
“Children are spreading rose petals to dry in the sun. The dried petals will then be used to make condiments often used in preparing sweets and other culinary delicacies.”

“Hug” © Deniz Kalayci. All rights reserved. Finalist, People
“With this photograph, I summarized the events we experienced and our lost two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this moment, a grandmother and her grandson, who had not seen each other for months, reunited through a curtain.”

“Callus Remover” © Robert Berdan. All rights reserved. Finalist, Artistic
“Callus remover smeared on a glass slide and viewed with a polarizing light microscope including a retardation filter.”

“Romanian Kosher Sausage Company” © Jonathan Castillo. All rights reserved. Finalist, American Experience
“This is from my project focusing on immigrant-owned businesses in Chicago. Through portraiture and photographs of interior spaces, this work highlights an essential and often overlooked part of the American economy. My work is a reminder that immigrant-owned businesses are as American as it gets.”

“Self-Portrait” © Joyce Xu, Australia, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“In June 2023, I took this self-portrait in a photo studio. I was in an introspective mood, grappling with an inner turmoil, torn between my connection to Chinese culture and tradition and my hope to liberate myself from self-imposed constraints linked to my heritage. This image represents a quest for belonging, adaptation, and identity in unfamiliar lands.”

Untitled © Kazi Arifujjaman, Bangladesh, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A chatal is a place where paddy (raw rice) is boiled, dried in the sun, and threshed to be made into prepared rice – the staple food of Bangladesh. Families from different parts of the country work together in a chatal, which is also their place of residence. As many families from different cultures come together, the chatal becomes like a large house.”

“Snow Mountain at Sunset” © Chengchen Wang, China Mainland, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This photo was taken at the beginning of the year when the sun slowly set, and the sunset hit the snow mountain of Yala. It looked so holy, so I took this photo.”

“Lonely Surfer” © Daniel Murray, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“I took this picture in Newquay, Cornwall, at the start of summer to capture the figure on the beach. I felt that this moment summed up Cornwall quite nicely in one picture.”

“Tea-Portrait” © Shayna Cuenca, United States, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“For my image titled ‘Tea-Portrait,’ I took a self-portrait, printed the image, and cut it into tea bag-sized pieces. I then transferred the cut pieces onto tea bags using Modge Podge, and reattached the tea bag strings. Finally, I laid out the bags and pieced them together to create my image.”

“Flock of Magic” © Zy Grei Zander Esperanza, Philippines, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This is an image inspired by the photographer Trent Parke. My image consists of two ICM shots of a flying flock of doves I photographed on 19 May in my backyard, then blended together in editing software. Though not taken with the same process as Parke’s, it still has the same goal that he is known for, to ‘turn the ordinary into the magical using light.’”

“The Beginning Hours of the Sourdough Fire” © River Lewis-Gosch, United States, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This was taken during the first hours of the Sourdough Fire, a fierce wildfire in the North Cascades National Park that was started by a lightning strike. While returning from a nearby backpacking trip in the woods, we came upon this fire. Completely surprised, I took out my camera and took this shot. A firefighting helicopter carrying water can be seen in the top right.”

“This is not the freedom they promised us” © Juan David Aguirre, Colombia, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Supposedly, our entire system is meant to defend freedom, but only for those who can pay for it. The photographs in this series were all taken on August 10, 2023, in the Andes tenement in the city of Medellín, Colombia, a space inhabited by homeless people. The tenement is likened to a prison because in its rooms you can feel a sense of confinement: the people who live there look for bread each day, living with deep uncertainties about the future as even their dreams have been taken away.”

“20 Years of Service” © Brayan Enriquez, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“They sit in the uniforms of the only job they could get: Steak ‘n Shake. Her name tag reads ‘Gloria Salinas, 20 years of service’. Twenty-six years ago, my parents immigrated to the United States. As a child, I would imagine my parents’ odyssey in rudimentary terms: walking, loving, and being bold. Through the years, however, I’ve managed to contextualize the reality of our situation and now use words such as treacherous, lonely, and fearful. When asked, my father replays the moment his group lay flat on their stomachs, hiding from an oblivious ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officer who sat nearby. My mother recalls trekking through knee-high mud in an Arizona desert, thousands of miles away from her home in Acapulco, Mexico. My sister, on the other hand, can’t remember much – she was only five years old at the time. This project navigates this complicated history, highlighting how this experience isn’t wholly unique to my family. The photographs were all taken within our home because of its function as a place of refuge for undocumented immigrants across the nation.”

“Don't Trust Pretty Girls” © Kayin Luys, Belgium, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This aunt loves to sing karaoke and often does during family gatherings. This series explores my relationship with my in-laws, with the title referring to the tattoo on my partner’s grandfather’s left arm. I wanted to explore the tension between fiction and reality, guided by stories I was told, memories, and my interpretations of both. The result is a play of possibilities that reflect and/or transcend reality. Thanks to the increasingly strong bond formed, I found a second home with my new family.”

“Keep Me Awake” © Kas Christiaens, Belgium, Shortlist, Youth Competiton, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This image is about light pollution. As a young artist interested in nature and stars, I became aware that light pollution is a major factor affecting the sky’s clarity. I live in Belgium, a small country with a large population living in the countryside, so there is light pollution everywhere you go. The red light in this image is coming from a street lantern, the blue light from a nearby city.”

“Peers” © Gaoge Ouchen, China Mainland, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“During the pandemic, time seemed to stand still. When I returned to my hometown, I shared the same worries with my peers who had likewise returned. The streets were filled with elderly people and children. In the backyard of my hometown, the orange trees my father planted had dropped their oranges to the ground.”

“Appleby” © Frederik Rüegger, Germany, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The English and Irish traveler communities face discrimination from many angles and are compelled to settle by the government. As a result, the nomadic lifestyle that has been a centuries-old part of their way of life is becoming more endangered than ever. There are, however, several events where the travelers can freely live out their traditions, including the horse fairs that are held each year at Ballinasloe, in County Galway, Ireland, and Appleby, England. In 2023, I photographed at both of these fairs, aiming to capture an intimate and authentic portrayal of the lives of the traveler communities. This project is set to continue for 18 months, and my goal is to highlight their rich cultural heritage, unique lifestyle, and the challenges they face. Through my photographs, I hope to shed light on the social importance of these communities and help foster an understanding and empathy among my audience.”

“Middle Break” © Yufei Ma, China Mainland, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This photo was taken at midday one day. The sun was shining on these children's clothes, hanging on the clothesline. In that moment, I felt a sense of calm, neutrality, and peace.”

Untitled © Afiq Sharkawi, Malaysia, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The traditional weapon known as a ‘keris’ is expertly made by the master craftsman.”

“The Orange Tree” © Gaoge Ouchen, China Mainland, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The orange trees in my grandmother’s home, which my father and mother diligently planted, dropped oranges all over the ground.”

“Ta ii” © Makaziwe Radebe, South Africa, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Whom was a boxer when he was younger, and his living room is filled with many of his trophies. I took pictures of his family with their chosen outfits and treasured objects while my mother and brother helped hold the white background.”

“63.4057° N, 19.0716° W” © Isaac Friend, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Basalt columns on a black beach in low visibility.”

“Resting in unfamiliar places (I)” © Siphosethu Sanelisiwe Sikhosana, South Africa, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This single pinhole photograph is composed of five negatives that together reflect both the confusion and acceptance of my identity.”

“Comet Falls to Earth” © Sebastián Fernández Lora, Spain, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This image is of comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura), which, close to the horizon like the Sun at dawn, appears to be falling onto Earth. This photo was taken from a rooftop on the morning of 8 September, shortly before sunrise.”

“Ocean Drifter” by Ryan Stalker. British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 and Winner of Coast & Marine
Species: Goose barnacles (Thoracica) Location: Portland, Dorset, England
“Ocean Drifter is a photo of a football that is covered in goose barnacles below the waterline. Above the water is just a football. But below the waterline is a colony of creatures. The football was washed up in Dorset after making a huge ocean journey across the Atlantic and then returned to the sea for the photo to be taken. Goose barnacles are not native to the UK but can wash up on our shores during powerful Atlantic storms. Although the ball is waste, and should not be in the sea, I do wonder about the journey the ball has been on. From initially being lost, then spending time in the tropics where the barnacles are native and perhaps years in the open ocean before arriving in Dorset. However, this waste can also bring creatures that may survive in UK waters and could become invasive species. More human waste in the sea could increase the risk of more creatures making it to our shores.”

“Running on Water” by Max Wood. RSPB Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 and Winner, 15-17 Years
Species: Coot (Fulica atra) Location: Frensham Little Pond, Surrey, England
“I woke up at 4:45 am with the hope of capturing backlit waterfowl images at Frensham Pond in Surrey. I lay down at the edge of the pond and waited for the birds to become active. As the morning progressed, rays of sunlight began to shine through trees along the edge of the pond, creating spotlights in the morning mist. This created a beautiful atmosphere, which I aimed to capture in my images. This coot was fleeing a fight, running across the water to take flight through the mist and rays of light.”

“Three’s a Crowd” by Ross Hoddinott. Winner, Hidden Britain
Species: Common blue butterflies (Polyommatus icarus) Location: Vealand Farm, Devon, England
“I think I have a slight addiction to photographing blue butterflies – I just love them! They are such beautiful little insects, and they enhance any wildflower meadow or garden they inhabit. Blues are quite social insects, and they can often be found roosting quite close together – or even on the same grass or flower. I found a dozen or so blues all resting close together one evening last summer. Using a shallow depth of field, I decided to ‘frame’ my subject with two out-of-focus butterflies to help add impact and context to my shot. The warm, evening light produced a vibrant natural background.”

“Starling at Night” by Mark Williams. Winner, Animal Portraits
Species: Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Location: Garden, Solihull, West Midlands, England
“I had been observing the birds in my garden as they fed on sunflower seeds and peanuts from the feeder for some time. I aimed to capture the sense of movement and flight patterns in my images while still preserving the fine details of the birds. To achieve this, I used flash in rear curtain sync mode. Timing was crucial, and I needed to carefully balance the flash with the ambient light to record the starling’s trail at the beginning of the exposure, while a brief burst of flash would freeze the bird in mid-flight.”

“Dancing in the Dark” by Matthew Glover. Runner-up, Animal Behaviour
Species: Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) Location: Killingworth, North Tyneside, England
“‘Dancing in the Dark’ portrays a pair of great crested grebes engaged in their courtship ritual at sunrise. This carefully choreographed dance serves to strengthen their bonds during the mating season. The photo was captured in the early hours on an urban lake in North Tyneside – once a former mining site, now thriving with wildlife, it hosts up to four separate pairs of grebes, competing for territory and displaying their flamboyant courtship style. Spending considerable time with these birds, I’ve learned to anticipate their courtship ‘dances’ and be prepared to capture these beautiful moments.”

“Three Frogs in Amplexus” by Ian Mason. Winner, Animal Behaviour
Species: Common frog (Rana temporaria) Location: Perthshire, Scotland
“Every March, our garden ponds suddenly come alive with hundreds of frogs that seem to appear overnight from nowhere. I have been photographing them for many years, and I am always fascinated and amused by their antics. Here, there has been a competition to mate with a female. For a lot of the time there is a frenzy of activity, but sometimes they freeze long enough to get a shot. The image is taken with the lens at water level, and the background is a distant larch tree.”

“Sunrise Hare” by Spencer Burrows. Runner-up, Animal Portraits
Species: Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) Location: Nottinghamshire, England
“I’m fortunate enough to have access to a private farm and have spent a lot of time with brown hares over the past couple of years. During this time, I’ve invested many hours into developing fieldcraft and gaining a good understanding of their behavior, allowing me to get close without disturbing the animal – hares are often skittish. For this image, I lay low and silent in a spot of the field they tend to follow from the hedgerow. This hare was very relaxed and allowed me to capture some portraits as the sun was starting to rise over the field.”

“Beech for the Sky” by Graham Niven. Winner, Wild Woods
Species: Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Location: East Lothian, Scotland
“Beech tree grove near Dunbar in East Lothian. When the leaves are almost gone, the branches show their ‘canopy shyness’ – a phenomenon observed in many species of trees in which the crowns of mature trees do not touch each other. In doing so, the trees form a canopy that has channel-like gaps which, when photographed from below, appear to create an intricate network of channels between the respective canopies. Besides the wondrous vision you are afforded, it’s also just a great excuse to lie down in the forest.”

“The Tightrope Walker” by Daniel Valverde Fernandez. Winner, Habitat
Species: Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) Location: Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire, England
“In this image, you can see a red fox walking along a tree branch at a considerable height from the ground, demonstrating that these animals are true tightrope walkers of nature. The fox is perfectly framed between the branches and its silhouette is subtly highlighted by the sun’s rays falling on it.”

“Tiny Forest Balloons” by Jason McCombe. Winner, Botanical Britain
Species: Slime mold (Comatricha nigra) Location: Essex, England
“The world of slime molds is fascinating. They’re neither plants nor fungi. I had never noticed them before, but when I set out to find some to photograph, I discovered that, if conditions are right, they’re everywhere! They’re just so small that if you are not looking for them you will simply overlook them. Each head on these fruiting bodies is approximately 1mm wide, and the depth of field when shooting at such high magnification is so shallow that focus stacking is required. This image was made using 160 images, each focused on a different area of the scene, then stacked together to create one highly detailed image.”

“Squirrel Silhouette” by Rosamund Macfarlane. Runner-up, Black & White
Species: Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) Location: Cumbria, England
“Red squirrels are native and cherished in Cumbria, although they face competition and disease from grey squirrels. These charming creatures visit our garden daily for hazelnuts, and I can capture their antics without causing disturbance. During winter, when food is scarce, providing for them feels like helping our native population. This spring, young kits joined the adults for breakfast, and capturing their dynamic movements against the sky was a fascinating challenge.”

“Raven Above Arran” by Robin Dodd. Winner, Black & White
Species: Raven (Corvus corax) Location: Isle of Arran, Scotland
“This is a shot from the top of Goatfell on the Isle of Arran, which is the highest mountain on the island. It was a lovely hike to the top on a bright summer afternoon after arriving by ferry a few hours before. When we reached the summit, it was deserted except for two ravens who seemed to dominate the peak. We sat for some time, observing these birds gliding over Arran just as gracefully as any bird of prey. It’s a harsh yet beautiful world they inhabit. This image is in black and white and consists of two shots, focus stacked.”

“Spring’s Treasures” by Jamie Smart. Winner, 11 and under
Species: Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Location: Mid Wales
“We got up very, very early one cold (-5°C), misty morning in spring in an effort to try to find some boxing hares up on the moorland. On our way there, I spotted this pheasant sitting on a farm gate in the morning sunrise. I made Dad stop the car and reverse slowly, quietly opened my car window, and managed to get this photo of him in all his beauty, with the blackthorn blossom behind him and the sun rays lighting up his copper breast feathers. As it happens, we didn’t get to see any hares boxing that morning, but Mr. Pheasant making this appearance really made up for it!”

“Mother and Fawn” by Felix Walker-Nix. Winner, 12-14 years
Species: Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) Location: Sherfield on Loddon, England
“Walking through the woods, I spotted this roe doe grazing the foliage. Slowly, I crept towards her, careful not to startle her. To my delight, when she turned around, I saw a small fawn staring back at me! Keeping quiet, I raised the camera to take some photos, then swiftly left so I didn’t disturb the young fawn and mother any longer. It was an incredible experience to see a ‘humbug’ patterned fawn before it lost its spots, and it was a magical experience to get so close.”

“Rainbow at Dawn” by Martin Stevens. Runner-up, Botanical Britain
Species: Rainbow wrack (Cystoseira tamariscifolia) Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, England
“I’ve had a mild obsession with rainbow wrack seaweed for years, with its spectacular iridescent blue color. I’d taken many photos of it before, but I had long had in mind a split shot of it in a rock pool at sunrise. It required planning and luck because the seaweed only grows back in spring, being most colorful for a few weeks before the summer sun dulls its color. I needed a low tide to expose the pools, in sync with sunrise – and a sunny morning! Fortunately, on one day it all came together. Taken with strobes on low power to light the seaweed.”

“Daisy Danger” by Lucien Harris. Runner-up, Hidden Britain
Species: Flower crab spider (Misumena vatia) and Honey bee (Apis mellifera) Location: Lee Mill, Devon, England
“This photo was taken in a patch of land along the A30 in Devon that has been left untouched for a long time, making it a haven for wildflowers and the wildlife that inhabits it. Using the Laowa wide-angle macro lens, I aimed to capture this scene. While walking, I came across a flower crab spider wrestling with a bee on an ox-eye daisy. The light was behind the subject, which backlit the flower nicely. However, the spider itself was quite dark, so I used some flashes and homemade flash diffusers to illuminate it. This allowed me to capture the deadly strength of these ambush predators.“

“Day Walker” by Simon Withyman. Winner, Urban Wildlife
Species: Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) Location: Bristol, England
“This vixen had taken up residence in an electricity substation after being pushed out of her parental territory. The fenced-off area provided her with a quiet place to rest away from the busy city. She would often walk along this wall, and I was able to capture this photo through the gaps in the metal fencing, while making the most of some striking lens flare.”

“Fire in the Night” by Dan Bolt. Runner-up, Coast & Marine
Species: Fireworks anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) Location: Loch Fyne, Scotland
“Fluorescence photography requires specialist filters: one ‘exciter’ filter on your white-light source to create the blue light and another ‘barrier’ filter in front of your lens to reduce the ambient light reaching your sensor. These dual filters mean that high ISOs and open apertures are very much required in order to capture the excited, or fluoresced, light. The subject requires a careful approach too; these anemones live in very still water and are sensitive to the slightest movement. If disturbed, they will retract in mere seconds.”

“What’s All the Fuss About?” by Will Palmer. Runner-up, Urban Wildlife
Species: Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England
“In this photograph, the Arctic walrus who had come ashore to rest on the harbor slipway in Scarborough has lifted its head as a car passed on Foreshore Road. The image is lit by the streetlights to the left and features the town’s fishing boats in the background. Despite being taken handheld at 1/80th of a second at f/1.6, an ISO of 6400 was still needed to properly expose Thor and the slipway at 2:28 am.”

“Into the Mist” by Philip Selby. Runner-up, Wild Woods
Species: Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Location: Badbury Hill, Oxfordshire, England
“On the remains of an Iron Age hill fort on Badbury Hill in Oxfordshire, Badbury Clump is an area of wonderful beech woodland, carpeted in bluebells each spring. Like most photographers during those precious few weeks of spring, it’s a time of anxious weather forecast watching, hoping that atmospheric weather conditions and schedules align. Luckily, the woodland was shrouded in dense fog on this particular morning, and the vibrant new beech leaves and subtle hues of the bluebells added a contrasting splash of color to the otherwise monochromatic scene.”

“The Little Boatman” by Vikas Datta (Dehli, India). First Place.
“It was still dark when I reached the banks of the Yamuna River in North Delhi to see for myself a strange spectacle of newlyweds and soon-to-be-married couples arranging wedding photoshoots on this stinking cesspool of what was once a river. Originating in the Himalayas, the river winds its way down the mountains through the northern plains of India. The river, which is a life source for millions of people, the river on whose banks the Taj Mahal was built…. that river enters Delhi through the Wazirabad barrage, to die. As I walked down the stairs of the embankment, I could smell the stink of sewage and see the garbage and toxic waste floating in the river. A few couples dressed in their wedding finery were being photographed by over-enthusiastic wedding photographers. A boy sitting in one of the row boats, not more than twelve or thirteen, beckoned me towards him. I can take you, he said, only five hundred rupees. I stepped into his boat, and we set off down the river. He pointed to a plastic bag and said, “Take that for the birds. Fifty rupees only.” I opened the bag, grabbed a handful of the salted fried treats, and flung it towards the birds. The little boatman stood up and heaved on the oars hard, “Full speed ahead,” he shouted. As the sun rose, the golden light brightened the fog on the river. Couples in other boats held hands and their breath as the cameras clicked and captured their special moment of new beginnings. Meanwhile, the boat sliced through the dark, dead river, with seagulls flying alongside.”

“The Photographer’s Assistant” by Alejandra Lopez Zaballa (Oaxaca, Mexico). Second Place.
“This image is part of a long project (8 years now) I did in a Girls’ caring home in Oaxaca (south of Mexico). The aim was to show and give voice to “orphan” children. To continue raising awareness about a social problem that has existed forever but, as a society, we seem not to have resolved quite properly. I went so many times to this place that early on, it became natural for the girls that I would be there, quiet, taking photos and later on playing with them. The fact that for them I was part of the caring home made them feel comfortable so that sometimes they “created” spontaneously some images, like this one. The girls were just talking, and I was going to take a photo of them when the one on the right decided to be like the “stylist” of the one on the left and made her pose. I loved how naturally and gracefully she was moving her face. I loved that even though they didn’t pose for the project, they felt they wanted to do it and help in their own way. It was pure chemistry and connection without talking.”

“Stairway Standoff” by Laurin Strele (Herat, Afghanistan). Third Place.
“In Herat jihad-museum, there’s a staircase lined with lifelike puppets of Mujahideen fighters. No faces, just silent soldiers. A Taliban guy climbs up. At the center, another Taliban sits, gun in hand, looking straight at the camera. I stood at the top of the staircase, looking down. I snapped a picture of what lay below. The quiet figures, both puppets and people, seemed to tell a story without words. It’s a photo of history, where puppets and people blur the line between reality and representation. Each figure, whether carved or flesh, weaves a thread in Afghanistan’s narrative.”

“The Car Boys” by Rebecca Moseman (Carrowbrowne Halting Site, Galway, Ireland). Finalist.
“Billy, Steven, and Paddy, three Irish Traveler. Boys use an abandoned car as their playground. The boys have no natural areas to play, so they display boredom, frustration, and aggression by destroying the car. The Carrow Browne halting site, a rat-infested site, is located on the outskirts of Galway City next to a waste management site. Although the site was intended to be temporary, it has become their permanent living area. The Irish Travellers are a proud and reclusive people, maintaining a culture and traditions whose origins are lost in time. In the fall of 2017, I had the opportunity to be among them under the supervision of a fellow photographer who provided access to their world and allowed me to photograph their lives. This series of images reflects my personal interactions with the Travelers I was fortunate to connect with.”

“The Mundari and their treasured cows.” by France Leclerc (South Sudan). Finalist.
“Indigenous to the Nile Valley, the Mundari is a small ethnic group of roughly 100,000 people. As is the case for many other tribes in the area, everything is about the cows for the Mundari. Cattle are the Mundari’s primary source of wealth; the cows serve as a form of currency and, as such, have become a symbol of status and power. And the cows are magnificent. These Ankole-Watusi cows are gigantic and have impressive curly horns.”

“Stilt fishermen of Weligama” by Andrea Peruzzi (Weligama, Sri Lanka). Finalist.
“At the first light of dawn, when no one yet wanders along the beaches of southern Sri Lanka, some local fishermen try their hand at the fascinating and scenic fishing on stilts, which are stuck in the sand in the middle of the sea. An ancient local fishing custom, which fortunately some elderly fishermen continue to practice, and is not just a fake photographic set for tourists, as it is often possible to encounter in some locations in the country during the day.”

“The pursuit of water” by Eliane Band (Gujarat, India). Finalist.
“In the hinterlands of Gujarat, India, lies a Rabari Community Village where I could witness the essence of a daily ritual – the arduous task of fetching and carrying water for essential needs. What truly resonated with my heart was witnessing the metamorphosis of this challenging daily activity into a serene and poetic scene. The image not only encapsulates the physical act of water collection but also serves as a poignant reflection of the community’s approach towards this daily chore – one marked by grace, beauty, and an inherent acceptance of their circumstances. This juxtaposition, caught in the frame, encapsulates the resilience and transcendent spirit of the Rabari people as they navigate the complexities of their daily lives.”

“Nameless1” by Hossein Fardinfard (Tskaltubo, Georgia). Finalist.
“From the series ‘Blackout.’ Merry is one of the victims of the 1992 war in Abkhazia. Her brother and her 53-year-old husband were both murdered by Abkhazian separatist forces. With an injured leg, she escaped and hid in a forest for two weeks. After a long journey, she reached her new home in Tskaltubo. Personally, Merry and this photo symbolize hope for me.”

“Evans & Charles” by George McLeod (Nkoranza, Ghana). Finalist.
“Part of an ongoing project documenting the local community revolving around corn farming and production. I spent two weeks there and took one photo because I wanted to get to know people and develop trust before showing up with my camera, and so this was shot on the last night of the two guys I got to know the best. Evans & Charles. Super nice guys who were up for being in the first image of the project. Evans is the site foreman and Charles is the nighttime security guard, I wanted to pose them, but exactly as I’d seen them many times. I may have moved the motorbikes for a better composition, too.”

“Untitled 1” by Afroditi Diamantopoulou. Finalist.
“The photo series titled “(No) Stories to Be Told” delves into my inner journey from the present to the past. It forms a discourse with my private family collection, both literally and symbolically, as the individuals portrayed in the images are part of my family, extended relatives, and friends. By manipulating these photographs and aligning them with the present moment, I endeavor to unravel their characters, narratives, and roles. Through this process, I strive to recreate the past, evaluate their behavior, and redefine my role within the family dynamic and the history.”

“Zenande, Sinawe, Zinathi and Buhle at Sea Point Pavilion, Cape Town” © Michelle Sank, United Kingdom, Winner, Open Competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This image is part of my ongoing series Ballade, which is a poetic homage to my birthplace. My strongest memories are of Sea Point Promenade and the Pavilion swimming pool, although due to apartheid, they were only for the privileged white population. Returning in 2023, I was again drawn to these spaces where little seems to have changed in terms of structure and recreation, but they now celebrate cultural and social diversity.”

“Caiman Crunch” © Ian Ford, United Kingdom, Winner, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“We had bid farewell to our São Lourenço River lodge, marking the end of our Pantanal adventure, but as we were leaving, we heard that a jaguar had been spotted roughly 30 minutes away. We raced to the scene and encountered this sleek female jaguar stalking her prey. Our boat – and my camera – was perfectly positioned as she pounced on an unsuspecting caiman.”

“Moonrise Sprites over Storr” © Liam Man, United Kingdom, Winner, Open Competition, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“As a moonrise burns across the horizon, lights dance above the Old Man of Storr in Scotland. This iconic rock formation was illuminated with powerful lights attached to drones, which cut through the darkness to reveal the icy landscape. Blizzards howled for the majority of the night, leaving mere minutes to execute this photograph before the moon became too bright.”

“Falling Out of Time” © Ana Skobe, Slovenia, Winner, Open Competition, Architecture, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Bathed in soft evening light, a lighthouse rises into the clear sky, its clean, sleek, geometric design contrasting with the coastal landscape. Positioned at its base is a figure – a contemplative man gazing out at the expanse of the ocean before him. The juxtaposition of the solitary silhouette against the infinite horizon creates a moment of reflection and connection with the vastness of the ocean.”

“Twende Ziwani (Let’s go to the Lake)” © Alvin Kamau, Kenya, Winner, Open Competition, Lifestyle, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This editorial photoshoot was inspired by haute couture fashion culture. The photograph was taken in a studio in Nairobi, Kenya. ‘Twende Ziwani' is Swahili for ‘Let's go to the Lake'. The model's pose shows him carrying his shoes on his shoulders while looking to his side. The title also refers to Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the source of the Nile River.”

“The Hand” © Callie Eh, Malaysia, Winner, Open Competition, Street Photography, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A groom waves enthusiastically while passing by during a ceremonial procession for a wedding in Bhaktapur, Nepal.”

Untitled © Rob Blanken, Netherlands, Winner, Open Competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A 5x enlargement of crystals of amino acids (B-alanine, L-glutamine and glycine), photographed with the help of polarizing filters.”

“Rider Getting Down and Dirty” © Samuel Andersen, Norway, Winner, Open Competition, Motion, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A rider passes through a muddy part of the course at the Norwegian National Championships in Hafjell Bike Park, Norway. As I was using an 11mm fisheye lens I needed to get really close to get this shot, and both myself and my gear ended up getting splashed. It was worth it, though, as the backlighting from this angle was very effective.”

“Coalition” © Toni Rinaldo, Indonesia, Winner, Open Competition, Object, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“I took this picture in a waiting room. The difference in color of the two chairs next to one another caught my eye. This reminded me of my country, Indonesia, where different cultures exist side by side, and that is what makes people interested in visiting it.”

“Between Calm and Catastrophe” © Yan Li, China Mainland, Winner, Open Competition, Travel, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“On Lake Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia, a tranquil floating village stands in stark contrast to the approaching wildfire, a dramatic testament to nature’s dual disposition.”

“The Orange Man” © Philip Joyce, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Lifestyle, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Jama Elmi is a well-known member of the London Colour-Walk community, which meets every month to celebrate color and personal style. This picture was taken when I met him in the street and approached him to take a portrait.”

“Sea Level” © Bin Yang, United States, Shortlist, Open Competition, Creative, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The sea level markers I saw on a trip to Death Valley, California, reminded me of the waterfowl that once lived in the area. Concerned about climate change and the increasing drought in the western United States, I placed photographs of waterfowl in a surreal desert setting in the hope that it would serve as a reminder that humans need to do the right thing when it comes to climate change.”

“Hemispheric” © Eng Tong Tan, Malaysia, Shortlist, Open Competition, Architecture, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) in Valencia, Spain.”

“Saludo Sony” © Jesus Frias, Spain, Shortlist, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A mother elephant greets her daughter. I called the little one Sonia, or Sony.”

“Spire” © Marcin Zajac, Poland, Shortlist, Open Competition, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A strange spire juts out of the barren landscape of the Utah Badlands, bathing in the golden light of the setting sun. Standing 25 meters tall, its otherworldly appearance is more reminiscent of a Star Wars film than anything you would expect to see on Earth.”

“Dancing Queens” © Natalie Strohmaier, Germany, Shortlist, Open Competition, Object, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This picture is part of my Unattainable Beauty series, which explores the artificial creation of beauty. The ‘flower models’ were hand assembled using needles to hold them and photographed in the studio. I adjusted the saturation, contrast, color, and brightness in Capture One, then used Photoshop to remove the needles and clean the picture.”

“Traffic Circle” © Lim Chien Ting, Malaysia, Shortlist, Open Competition, Architecture, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The design of the Pearl Ring Roundabout in Beijing, China, harmonizes seamlessly with the detailed patterns of its surroundings.”

“Fisherman and his Goldfish” © Tetiana Nikitina, Ukraine, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“This photograph was taken when my parents came to visit me in Portugal. My dad is not very independent; he’s like a small child who always needs help and support, and my mum helps him with everything, whether it’s filling out documents or going to the doctor. I decided to create this image to present my mum as a real goldfish that grants wishes. My dad is very lucky.”

“The Turning White Horse” © Sarah Wouters, Netherlands, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“During a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey, I went to Göreme Valley early in the morning to photograph the hot air balloons taking off near the horse stables. The horses were running around, which enabled me to capture this image.”

“Still Waiting” © Sonia De Wit, Belgium, Shortlist, Open Competition, Street Photography, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Walking past this pub, I looked through the window and saw this little dog waiting for his owner. I went inside and took this photograph – I didn't have time for a second one.”

“Baobab Road” © John Seager, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Travel, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The Allée des Baobabs in Madagascar is probably one of the best places on the planet for viewing the incredible baobab trees. Using a drone, I was able to compose the striking outlines of the baobabs along the road, creating an unforgettable atmosphere in the very last moments of the beautiful sunset.”

“If Eyes Could Speak, What Would They Say? (Munich)” © Haider Khan, India, Finalist, Professional competition, Wildlife & Nature
“Rhinos with injured horns suffer from pain, infections, and a reduced ability to defend themselves. Despite the pain a rhino may endure, their strength and resilience are a testament to the beauty of these creatures. As poaching and habitat loss continue to threaten their survival, rhino conservation efforts need to be supported and awareness raised to stop them being killed.”

“Playing Fennec Pups” © Lukas Zeman, Czech Republic, Shortlist, Professional competition, Wildlife & Nature
“Fennec foxes are very active, playful, and incredibly mobile. An adult male fox can jump vertically up to 70 cm and more than 100 cm horizontally from a standing position, almost four times its length.”

“L’Accalmie” © Horst Kistner, Germany, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portfolio
“A staged photography series – the set is made up like a theater stage. Analog thinking and feeling are combined with real lighting to create the final photographs.”

“Portrait, Kazakhstan” © Jorge Mónaco, Argentina, Finalist, Professional competition, Portfolio
“A portrait of an old Kazakh man in traditional dress. Due to globalization, young Kazakh people no longer wear these clothes.”

Untitled © Eddo Hartmann, Netherlands, Finalist, Professional competition, Landscape
“A dosimetrist measures radiation at the Southern ridge of Lake Shagan. This series explores a remote area of Kazakhstan known as ‘The Polygon,’ which was once home to the Soviet Union’s major nuclear testing facilities. Between 1949 and 1989, more than 450 nuclear tests took place here, with little regard for their effect on the local people and environment. The full impact of radiation exposure was hidden for many years by the Soviet authorities and only became clear after the test site was closed in the early 1990s. The location is still heavily contaminated and can only be accessed in protective clothing.”

Untitled © Adali Schell, United States, Finalist, Professional competition, Portraiture
“Lily Abbitt (19) and Zane Burrows (20) embrace on the side of the road in Topanga Canyon, California. Growing up in Los Angeles, some of my earliest memories were made in the car. Specifically, my dad’s vintage 1980s Mercedes – which he converted to run-on vegetable oil – acted as my respite. The hum of the engine, the tears in the leather interior, and the sound of his burned CDs accompanied my earliest understanding of L.A. I remember the sense of privacy that the car provided me and how it enabled my looking. In 2022, I was commissioned by The New York Times to photograph my friends in their first cars. Having spent my final teenage years in isolation due to the pandemic, the car provided me with a space to come back into touch with my community and with L.A.”

“Borax Studies” © Kevin Krautgartner, Germany, Shortlist, Professional competition, Landscape
“Borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) and borate minerals have diverse industrial applications. They’re used in the production of glass, ceramics, and enamels due to their ability to lower melting points and improve strength. They’re also essential in manufacturing fiberglass and insulation and as a component in detergents and cleaning agents. This project shows a rarely used method of mining borax from the air. Wells are drilled into the lakebed to reach the brine layer below the surface, and pumps are used to draw the brine solution out. The extracted brine is then pumped into large evaporation ponds or pans, which have a large surface area and allow the sun and natural evaporation to concentrate the minerals within the brine. Over time, as the water evaporates, borax and other minerals become more concentrated, and highly saturated colors are visible on the surface.”

“Cobalt” © Davide Monteleone, Italy, Finalist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects
“Portrait of a miner at Mutoshi artisanal mining (ASM), COMIAKOL cooperative. In the Democratic Republic of Congo I documented the condition and impact of cobalt mining, which is essential for the green energy transition. The environmental and human conditions of cobalt mining have been widely reported, and the mainstream narrative faithfully describes the devastating working conditions and problematic health, environmental and economic conditions that men, women, and children are subjected to, directly or indirectly.”

“Portrait in Earthy Tones” © Natalia Garbu, Moldova, Republic Of, Shortlist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects
“Children in Moldovan villages often experience close-knit community life, engaging in outdoor activities and helping with household chores. Moldova is a nation facing a complex array of challenges and influences. Its patriarchal tendencies, economic struggles, Orthodox traditions, and historical ties to colonialism have shaped its society in unique ways. However, Moldova is also a place of resilience and cultural richness, with a diverse population that continues to seek its place on the global stage.”

Untitled © Nick Ng, Malaysia, Shortlist, Professional competition, Architecture & Design
“This seven-floor residential haven was built in the heart of Kuala Lumpur in 1962 by the famed architectural firm T.Y. Lee and Sons. Named Blue Boy Mansion, it was the epitome of wealth and success. In stark contrast to sterile modern structures, the building encourages interactions between its residents with an open design that enhances the coexistence of people and living spaces. The corridors on both sides of the building connect to a stairway that zig-zags from the ground to the uppermost units. The open stairway is not protected from rain or sun.”

“The Holy Dip” © Sachin Ghai, India, Shortlist, Professional competition, Environment
“A woman takes a holy dip in the polluted Yamuna river during the Chhath Mahaparv festival. This series shares images from one of the biggest festivals celebrated in India: Chhath Mahaparv. It depicts the festival being celebrated in the sacred Yamuna River, which is now heavily polluted by acidic wastewater spilling out from big factories. The pollution has made the water harmful to both flora and fauna.”

“LGBTQIA Refugees: Fleeing Uganda” © Brent Stirton, South Africa, Finalist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects
“Lady Tina and Pretty Peter were previously jailed in Uganda for their trans lifestyle and experienced sexual assault. In May 2023, Uganda criminalized same-sex conduct for those convicted of ‘aggravated homosexuality,’ even though the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 violates some of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution. Uganda’s penal code already punishes same-sex conduct with life imprisonment, but the new law legislates on new crimes, such as the ‘promotion of homosexuality’; introduces the death penalty for several acts considered as ‘aggravated homosexuality’; and increases sentences for attempted same-sex conduct to 10 years. Anyone advocating for the rights of LGBT people now faces up to 20 years imprisonment. Many LGBTQIA people have been forced to flee the country and are now in fragile safe houses in Kenya.”

“Spa Island” © Karol Palka, Poland, Finalist, Professional competition, Architecture & Design
“A spa of international importance in Slovakia. Although it is small in size, the country of Slovakia is rich in springs of natural healing water. Spa culture has been a part of the Slovakian lifestyle for hundreds of years and has become part of a secular ritual for some. In 1947, a special balneological congress decided to divide the approximately 50 Slovak spa localities into three categories of importance: international importance, national importance, and local importance. This project examines the ways in which the architecture of spas allows those establishments to be spaces of ritual and community.”

“Air Pollution” © Diana Cheren Nygren, United States, Shortlist, Professional competition, Creative
“A vista from Siena, Italy, mounted behind the acrylic, then onto a larger dye sublimated aluminum print of Death Valley National Park, California.”

“Anthurium andraeanum” © Tine Poppe, Norway, Finalist, Professional competition, Creative
“Born and bred in industrial scale greenhouses, cut flowers have no contact with nature and generate high CO2 emissions. The Western world’s supply of cut flowers used to be derived from local greenhouses, but most of the flowers we buy in our stores today have been transported by planes or lorries from digitally run greenhouses around the world: Colombia, Ecuador, and equatorial East Africa are currently the largest producers of cut flowers on the planet. The greenhouses contribute to high water use and chemical runoff, while the flowers can generate significant carbon emissions through their refrigeration and long-haul transportation – stems may be transported up to 9,600 km (6,000 miles) in refrigerated airplane holds. These cut flowers were bought at a local flower shop and photographed in front of prints of landscapes in my studio.”

“Angelica Archangelica” © Federico Scarchilli, Italy, Finalist, Professional competition, Still Life
“Angelica has been used in traditional medicine to treat multiple health conditions. It is thought to contain various bioactive ingredients with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have also studied Angelica’s potential anticancer effects in a lab, testing Angelica archangelica extract on breast cancer cells. They found that Angelica may help cause breast cancer cell death, leading researchers to conclude that the herb may have antitumor potential.”

“Ongeziwe” © Angelika Kollin, Estonia, Finalist, Professional competition, Portfolio
“This portrait was taken in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of my ongoing project about parenthood. The nucleus of one’s existence is rooted in family; each person inherently has parents. In our contemporary society, the concept of family has evolved and now integrates and embraces both traditional and new forms. No longer confined to a mere group of individuals sharing blood ties, I believe that family is increasingly becoming a feeling rather than a particular manifestation of form. My photographic exploration examines the myriad forms that a modern-day family can take, uniting them under common and universally sought human emotions: a sense of belonging, love, and emotional intimacy.”

Untitled © Thomas Meurot, France, Finalist, Professional competition, Sport
“When you’re looking for surf in Iceland, you take anything you can, big or small. Here, Samuel Redon enjoys the small but beautiful surf in one of the most amazing landscapes I witnessed.”

Untitled © Yaser Mohamad Khani, Iran, Islamic Republic Of, Finalist, Professional competition, Architecture & Design
“In recent years, due to population growth and lack of sufficient housing, the towns near Tehran have been crowded and people have to migrate here.”

“Go!” © Tommaso Pardini, Italy, Finalist, Professional competition, Sport
“Isma shows off his potential to the surfers in the line-up. The Senegalese surf scene is growing fast and I’ve been there to document the life of Ismaila Samb, a young, promising surfer who is aspiring to become a professional. The surfers here don’t have the best equipment, but though they surf with old surfboards and wetsuits, their passion is above everything. My mission was to help Isma gain visibility and international recognition. After my visit, he travelled outside Africa for the first time and joined the Senegalese national team, taking part in the World Surfing Games in El Salvador.”

“Austin Morris, Descendant of Frederick Douglass” © Drew Gardner, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional competition, Portraiture
” A recreation of the Civil War portrait of Lewis Douglass, with a descendant of Frederick Douglass, the anti-slavery campaigner. This was a 15-second exposure with the model held in place with a neck brace.”

“Entrance” © James Rokop, United States, Shortlist, Professional competition, Sport
“This image shows an artistic swimming team diving into the water and starting to form a shape that will eventually look like a pyramid structure designed to lift another athlete out of the water. As an official photographer for USA Artistic Swimming, I have the honor and pleasure of photographing these amazing athletes. Most of the time, the spectators do not get to see the amazing underwater formations that help propel the athletes to the surface where they perform stands, jumps, and flips.”

“Doña Leocadia” © Mahé Elipe, France, Finalist, Professional competition, Environment
“For 12 years, the indigenous association led by Leocadia Utiz has been organizing a native corn seed fair. Farmers from participating communities are invited to exchange native seeds and forgotten indigenous knowledge. According to Mayan belief, Leocadia claims to be descended from corn. Together with her family, she ensures the protection of the forest by cultivating milpa.”

“Highest Mountain in the South of Vietnam” © Tran Tuan Viet, Vietnam, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“With an elevation of 996 meters, Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh is the highest mountain in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. At its summit stands a Bodhisattva statue, which was cast from more than 170 tons of red bronze. At 72 meters tall, it is the tallest bronze Buddha statue in Asia to be located on a mountain peak.”

“A Colourful Dream” © Bibek Kunwar, Nepal, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“I took this in a felt ball factory while I was shooting a documentary video. This small girl was curious about my camera, so while I was on a break, I took her picture. I saw these felt balls lying on the ground and had the idea to photograph the little girl there, covered with the colorful material, and asking her to close her eyes as if she were asleep.”

“Mookambika Gulikan Theyyam” © Vinaya Mohan, United Arab Emirates, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Gulikan Theyyam (or Guliga Theyyam) is a figure worshipped as Lord Shiva. In the Karnataka region, this deity is worshipped as the Hindu Culture’s Guliga Daiva. This was a challenging low-light photographic situation, as fire was the only light source. The God-Man jumps into the fire and moves all the time, which makes it very difficult to take a clear photograph.”

“To the Moon” © Pascal Fouquet, United States, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket transits the moon carrying the X-37B space plane into orbit. Shockwaves from the rocket cause a ripple effect across the moon.”

“Traffic Circle” © Lim Chien Ting, Malaysia, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The design of the Pearl Ring Roundabout in Shanghai, China, harmonizes seamlessly with the detailed patterns of its surroundings.”

“The Fishman's Life” © Kyaw Htet, Myanmar, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Inle Lake in Myanmar is known for its picturesque scenery. The local fishermen use a unique leg-rowing technique to propel their boats, and this photograph reveals a serene scene as a couple fish beneath the shade of a majestic, sprawling tree. The reflections on the water add an extra touch of beauty to the moment.”

“Elephant Sand Bath” © Ju Shen Lee, Singapore, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A sand bath protects an elephant’s skin against insect bites and keeps it warm in the cooler winter months. The fine sand found along the Narayani River makes a perfect ‘bath'.”

“At the Salon” © Onyekachi Iloh, Nigeria, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“I took this photograph in a salon, and was drawn to the way in which the girl’s green uniform seemed to be in conversation with the green of the wall. When I positioned her, I realized that the hair extensions hanging on the wall behind her, and her own short hair, covered by her beret, seemed to say something about a person shielded from the harrowing world of beauty ‘standards’.”

Untitled © Yasser Alomari, Saudi Arabia, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A supermoon sits at the top of the Saudi Public Investment Fund tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”

“At the Border” © Vladimir Karamazov, Bulgaria, Winner, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“To find yourself at a border, having to leave your life and go looking for another one, is something that has become more and more common in recent years.”

“Falling Out of Time” © Ana Skobe, Slovenia, Winner, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Bathed in soft evening light, a lighthouse rises into the clear sky, its clean, sleek, geometric design contrasting with the coastal landscape. Positioned at its base is a figure – a contemplative man gazing out at the expanse of the ocean before him. The juxtaposition of the solitary silhouette against the infinite horizon creates a moment of reflection and connection with the vastness of the ocean.”

“Gas Station in Winter Garb” © Tomáš Havrda, Czech Republic, Winner, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“I took this photograph on my way home from work.”

“Heading Down” © Abdulla AL-Mushaifri, Qatar, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“One of these riders was about to fall after he tried to stand on his horse’s back, but his colleague supported him and held his hand. This photograph was taken in the Sultanate of Oman, where horse races are still organized in the classic peer-to-peer racing tradition.”

“September” © Viktors Rimarevs, Latvia, Winner, Regional Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“Baltic Sea, Tuja.”

“Silence” © Barbara Szydlowska, Poland, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
” I photographed these Japanese-inspired costumes in the hills of the historic center of Krakow.”

“Feathers in Focus” © Mohammad Mirza, Kuwait, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“The European shag is a medium-sized seabird belonging to the cormorant family. I took this photograph during a winter trip to Hornoya island in Norway, which gave me the unique opportunity to capture the resilience and beauty of this remarkable bird in its natural habitat.”

“Pabbajja Samanera” © Dhiky Aditya, Indonesia, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
” The warm light of the lanterns illuminates the hearts of pabbajja novices in the courtyard of Borobudur temple, Indonesia.”

“Approaching Danger” © Okan Yilmaz, Turkey, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A lone tree stands, in the vast expanse, A sentinel of resilience, in the dry dance. Beside, a puddle, a tiny oasis so dear, Mirroring the threat of drought drawing near.”

“Light of a New Day” © Thanayu Jongwattanasilkul, Thailand, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“A man walking along the beach towards Vestrahorn mountain in Iceland.”

“Whale Bones” by Alex Dawson (Sweden). Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 and Winner Wide Angle Category.
“In eastern Greenland, the local hunters bring their catch and share it with each other. From a stable population of over 100,000 minke whales in the North Atlantic, the hunters of Tasiilaq typically take less than a dozen. The whale is pulled up on the beach during high tide, and many families gather to cut the skin, blubber, and meat off at low tide. Almost all the whale is consumed, however the skeleton is pulled back into the sea by the next high tide and the remains can be found in shallow waters where various marine invertebrates and fish pick the bones clean.”

“Window of Opportunity” by Lisa Stengel (United States). Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024
“The moment of ambush amidst a blur of evasion! This photo captures the instant of the attack. We spent an exciting week looking for bait balls, which provided many opportunities. The season’s unique water temperatures kept the marlin farther from reach, but brought an interesting phenomenon: an unprecedented amount of mahi mahi. I chose not to wear a hood and noticed a distinct noise from the bait ball every time the mahi would attempt to hit a target. If you listen closely, there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean, especially surrounding bait balls. I honed in on the sound of mahi attacks and followed this unmistakeable sound with my camera. This technique, coupled with serendipitous conditions gave me the window of opportunity to capture this special moment.”

“The End Of The Baitball” by Rafael Fernandez Caballero (Spain). Winner Behavior Category
“I was fortunate enough to experience this unique spectacle in the open Pacific waters in Magdalena Bay at the end of 2023. Due to the warmer water this year caused by the climate phenomenon “El Niño,” more species than ever joined this hunt. Bait balls of sardines attracted a variety of predators, but the main stars of the show, visiting Baja in perhaps larger numbers than ever, were the Bryde's whales. They patrolled the waters, searching for bait balls to get their bellies full of hundreds of kilograms of fish. This photo shows the very moment of attack, with the whale’s ventral pleats wide open and filtering the prey from the water using their baleens after engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines in one bite — simply unforgettable.”

“Star Attraction” by Jenny Stock (United Kingdom). British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 and Winner British Waters Macro Category
“Loch Leven is a Scottish dive site near Oban that can be can easily be accessed via a lay-by on the A82. Once there, a walk down a steep leafy track will lead you into the ‘refreshing’ water. As I descended into the dark green depths of the sea loch on a dusk dive, I approached an area where my torch picked out the vivid colors of a living carpet of thousands of brittlestars.
Captivated by the variety of hues and patterns each star took, I felt this was an incredible encounter with a species I’d never seen before. I was happily snapping away when I spotted this purple sea urchin, and I got really excited. A dominant star next to this graphic invertebrate created a beautifully balanced pair, perfectly surrounded by an entanglement of the background brittlestars.”

“Grey Whale Connection” by Rafael Fernandez Caballero (Spain). Winner Portrait Category
“Encounters with gray whales in Pacific saltwater lagoons are extremely special. Known for their friendly and curious nature, gray whales often approach boats, allowing observers to witness distinctive behaviors like spy-hopping. This photo was taken from the boat, where the whale displayed a friendly gaze toward my camera, resembling a human look of curiosity and innocence. During their migration from the Bering Sea to Baja California, these lagoons serve as crucial havens and winter maternity wards. With only around 1300 gray whales left, responsible practices of ecotourism are key to protecting these giants. These special moments highlight the beauty and intelligence of the whales, creating enduring memories for both observers and, surely, the curious whales themselves.”

“Bottled blenny” by Kirsty Andrews (United Kingdom). Winner British Waters Living Together
“Butterfly blennies naturally choose abandoned whelk shells as their home, but it seems they can get creative. On the seabed of the river Fal, amongst beautiful pink maerl, many have chosen to use discarded glass bottles as a shelter. Waste not want not.”

“Encircled” by Sarah O'Gorman (Egypt). Runner-up, Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year
“Summer 2023 brought the usual small groups of baby barracudas to each coral pinnacle on the house reef at Marsa Shagra, but for the first time in the 11 years I have lived there, they all gradually came together as one giant bait ball in the entrance of the bay, giving divers no choice but to pass through them at the start and end of their dive. Snorkelers spent hours every day floating above them, mesmerized by their movements.
One particularly clear and quiet morning, I was able to witness and photograph this free diver as she played amongst them, influencing their formation for as long as her breath would last. As autumn passed, the juveniles grew, and the bait ball attracted hunters such as snappers, jacks, and bigger barracudas who feasted for several months, and by winter, it was as if it had never existed.”

“Midnight Raver” by Sandra Stalker (United Kingdom). Most Promising British Underwater Photographer 2024 and Runner-up British Waters Macro Category
“I took this shot on a night dive at my local dive site. I had previously attempted this shot on a few dives and hadn't quite achieved what I wanted until this dive. I find the crabs to have such bold and funny characters whilst running up to me and then away wildly flailing their legs like ravers, and I wanted to capture this character. The crab didn't really stand out much from the sand, so I used a purple light on a torch for the background, and then I snorted the crab with white light on a strobe, tracking it as it ran across the seabed for the long exposure. This made a lovely contrast of the green of the crab against the purple with the crab looking directly at the camera.”

“Twilight smile” by Rodolphe Guignard (France). Third Place, Wide Angle Category
“In 2011, the Bahamas declared its waters a “shark sanctuary.” Off the island of Grand Bahama, I witnessed several unforgettable encounters. At dusk, several dozen lemon sharks rise from the depths and surround the dive boat. Perched on the swim step with my body half-submerged, I set out to take split shots. On this day, the sea was rough; it was almost dark, and the sharks were lively and very curious, not hesitating to come into contact with my housing! In these light conditions, I replaced my strobes with two headlamps to ensure continuous light. I used the burst mode coupled with a fast shutter speed to better freeze the movement. With a lot of patience and luck, I was able to capture some very close-up shots and highlight the magnificent colors of the sunset. A striking face-to-face encounter!!

“Lonesome Drifter” by Dennis Corpuz. Runner-up Macro Category
“We frequently witness the vertical migration of small creatures that travel and feed on highly attractive lights in water that is approximately 200+ meters deep in blackwater. While I was exploring the area, I came across a pyrosome (an unusual tubular planktonic animal) that was 10cm (4 inches) long. As I examined it carefully, I discovered that an animal was hiding inside it. The creature was floating in mid-water and moving randomly. Luckily, I managed to capture a few shots of it before it drifted away into deeper waters.”

“Fluorescent Fire” by James Lynott (United Kingdom). Runner-up British Waters Compact Category
“I have experimented a little with shutter drag/motion blur photography in the past and have seen many incredible examples of this style from other underwater photographers. I had never seen this technique combined with underwater fluorescence, so this was something I was keen to start trying in 2023. I experimented with a range of subjects and soon discovered I really liked how fireworks anemones looked using this method, which was not really a surprise as they are my favorite fluoro subject! This shot was captured during a pre-sunrise dive in Loch Fyne back in October 2023, I used 2 Nightsea excitation filters on my strobes, together with FireDiveGear/Riff TL Azur blue LED lights, and a FireDiveGear barrier filter.”

“Catshark in Bootlace” by Jon Bunker (United Kingdom). Winner British Waters Compact Category
“The bootlace weed can sometimes completely blanket the pebbles overlooking the reef at Chesil Cove in the summer. Scores of catshark, cuttles, young conger, and other nighttime predators patrol this seasonal ‘jungle’ slope, happy to snack on whatever comes their way. This sleepy catshark was, as you can see, unsure of what to make of me, poking its head tentatively through the weed to establish if I was either a threat or food. While it was considering this, I managed to play around with my strobes a little in an attempt to diffuse some of the light through the tresses of early summer algae. My subject let me take three shots before swimming off into the night.”

“Saving Goliath” by Nuno Sá (Portugal). ‘Save Our Seas Foundation' Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024
“The golden beaches of Costa da Caparica, just across the river from Lisbon, were packed with sun-seekers on this sunny day. And then something unusual caught their attention on the horizon. A massive sperm whale seemed to be struggling to swim as it slowly moved towards the coast. Soon, its giant wounded body was passing by surfers and swimmers and reaching the shallow waters of the beach. But suddenly, dozens of sun seekers start running towards the whale. Together, they push and chant, trying to help the giant back into the sea as it slowly slaps its tail back and forth and breathes heavily. Several hours later, the whale takes its last breath, its body crushed by gravity as it lays on the sand. An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realize that it happens.”

“Divebomb” by Kat Zhou (United States). Winner British Waters Wide Angle Category
“I took this photo during a trip to dive with Northern Gannets in Shetland. The experience of being amidst dive-bombing gannets is both chaotic and adrenaline-fueled, and it was hard to choose where to aim my camera! I tried to photograph any bird that zoomed by, and I was pleasantly surprised when I later saw how this shot was able to depict the dynamic motion of the experience.”

“Nudi on Fire” by Enrico Somogyi (Germany). Winner Compact
“This picture of a nudibranch (Hypsolodoris apolegma) with an emperor shrimp on the head was taken in Tulamben. To create the fire-like background I built a special tool which took me a long time to get it to work. But in the end, I got the picture I was looking for.”

“Mouth To Mouth” vy JingGong Zhang (China). Runner-up Behavior Category
“This is a photo of two female Zoarchias major eelpouts in a fight. During the breeding season, in order to fight for a suitable spawning nest, not only the males will fight each other, but also the females, and inexplicably, even the males and females will sometimes fight each other. Usually, they can only be found in very few places in southern Japan. I thought long and hard before shooting how to perfectly present their two biggest characteristics in the shot: their unique spotted pattern inside the mouth and that the mouth can open up to 180 degrees! My choice was to shoot the fight in its most intense moment, using a snooted strobe to create the black background. I’m very honored to share this charming moment.”

“Two Great White Sharks cruising over seagrass beds” by Matty Smith (Australia). Runner-up Black and White Category
“The conditions were perfect on this day at South Neptune Island. We had a dozen sharks swimming under the MV Rodney Fox with a visibility of 30m+. The weather was calm and sunny, and the ocean was mirror-like. Using a slow shutter, full power strobes, and a panning technique, I was able to freeze the movement of the closest shark whilst portraying the gentle movement and atmosphere of the scene in the seagrass.”

“An Abstract Portrait of a Potbelly Seahorse” by Talia Greis (Australia). Winner Macro Category
“I was drawn to this particular seahorse because it had especially distinguished markings around the eye, and the jaw-dropping color palette made a striking contrast with the surrounding coral. Whilst seahorses are not rare on Sydney dive sites, photographing one that can really stand out has always been a dream for me. I chose to open the aperture all the way down to f/3.5, which transformed the coral into an out-of-focus cloud-like effect but also embraced the ominous green waters of Sydney summer diving. To me, the seahorse’s striking red eye and posture convey power and strength, arising from the smoky underbelly of the ocean.”

“Water Dancers” by Jasmine Skye Smith (Australia). Winner Black and White Category
“This image was from a creative shoot from my first underwater portrait exhibition, “Underneath” (held in August 2023). I challenged myself to be outside of my comfort zone and push myself creatively. I approached some girls from the synchronized swimming team to do a shoot, and I booked the heated dive pool as it was our winter. I was expecting to be using the 3m depth side, but at the last minute, they said we would be using the 5m end, which was amazing to play with in such a controlled environment- but also came with the challenge of a slanted edge down the bottom which proved very difficult to keep my black backdrop in place with my usual weights. The two 6x3m backdrops only held in place for a few minutes before coming apart -and this was one of the magical captures in that short window.”

“Chieftain Tanks” by Martin Broen (United States). Winner Wrecks Category
“Together with an amazing group of photographers I had the honor to be invited to compete in the 1st Aqaba underwater photo competition in Jordan, where a highlight is the underwater military museum. An unusual sight of war machines sunk in 15 to 28 meters of water and stationed along the reefs in tactical battle formation.
I wanted to capture the symmetry of the Chieftain Tanks and the strong presence of their 120mm guns, but the position where I could shoot that image with my fish-eye lens was occupied by a military ambulance. Therefore, I experimented with a 6-shot panorama from a point between the guns, which allowed me to recreate the virtual position further back and achieve an elegant symmetry of the tanks, supported by the central focal point of my dive buddy in the back.”

“Ice Bed” by Nima Sarikhani, UK. Winner, People's Choice Award. Location: Off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, Norway.
“A polar bear carves out a bed from a small iceberg before drifting off to sleep in the far north, off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Having spent three days desperately searching for polar bears through thick fog in the far north off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, the expedition vessel Nima was on decided to change course. It turned and headed to the southeast, where there was still some sea ice. Here, they encountered a younger and an older male and watched the pair over the following eight hours. Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve out a bed for himself before drifting off to sleep.”

“The Happy Turtle” by Tzahi Finkelstein, Israel. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Jezreel Valley, Israel
“A Balkan pond turtle shares a moment of peaceful coexistence with a northern banded groundling dragonfly in Israel’s Jezreel Valley.
Tzahi was positioned in his hide in Israel’s Jezreel Valley, photographing shore birds, when he spotted a Balkan pond turtle walking in the shallow water. At first, he wasn’t interested in it and carried on watching the birds. It wasn’t until a northern banded groundling dragonfly flew past his lens in the direction of the turtle that his focus changed. The dragonfly unexpectedly landed on the turtle’s nose, but instead of snapping up the insect, the turtle appeared to be experiencing pleasure from the interaction as they shared a moment of peaceful coexistence in the midst of the swamp’s murky waters.”

“Shared Parenting” by Mark Boyd, Kenya. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya
“A pair of lionesses devotedly groom one of the pride’s five cubs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Early in the morning, Mark watched as these lionesses groomed one of their five cubs in their territory in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The evening before, they’d set off to hunt, leaving the cubs hidden overnight in dense bushes. Returning from their unsuccessful mission, they’d called the cubs out onto the open grassland. Females raise each other’s cubs as their own, sharing parenting duties. Here the youngster was clearly enjoying the moment of affection and attention.”

“Aurora Jellies” by Audun Rikardsen, Norway. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Tromsø, Northern Norway
“Moon jellyfish swarm in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø in northern Norway illuminated by the aurora borealis. It’s common for this species to gather in their hundreds under the aurora borealis. Sheltering his equipment in a self-made waterproof housing, Audun used a single exposure as well as his own system for adjusting the focus and aperture during the exposure. This enabled him to capture the reflection of the sky’s colors on the surface of the water and, at the same time, light up the jellyfish with flashes. Moon jellyfish are common in all oceans and are easily recognized by their four rings, which are, in fact their genitals.”

“Starling Murmuration” by Daniel Dencescu, Germany/Romania. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Rome, Italy
“A mesmerizing mass of starlings swirl into the shape of a giant bird on their way to communal roosts above the city of Rome, Italy. Daniel was mesmerized by the movements of the starlings as they formed colossal organic shapes in the sky. Each day, as they returned from foraging, they would gather in large numbers and perform spellbinding aerial shows, known as murmurations, on their flight home to their communal roosts. In a bid to locate the best roosting sites at which to capture the spectacle, Daniel spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome. Finally, on this cloudless winter’s day, the flock didn’t disappoint, swirling into the shape of a giant bird.”

“Sunken church tower” by Paweł Jagiełło. Runner-up, Urban.
“The 14th-century church tower in Italy stands as a poignant reminder of the sunken village of Curon Venosta. In 1950, the entire village was submerged following the construction of a dam, resulting in the creation of the artificial basin known as Lake Resia. Today, only the church tower remains.”

“Must Resist” by Or Adar. Photo of the Year.
“An aerial view of protesters holding banners during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plans, in Tel Aviv. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Israeli cities for the ninth straight week, on Saturday, March 4th, to fight a government plan to overhaul the country's court system.”

“Beach Bliss” by Simon Heather. 1st Place, People.
“Sun lovers bring their brightest towels, swimsuits, and umbrellas to the shores of Cascais, creating a wonderful, vibrant wallpaper when viewed from above. Life is better at the beach!”

“Highline” by David Machet. 1st Place, Sport.
“In January 2021, amidst intense cold, the renowned tightrope walker Nathan Paulin successfully crossed a 200m long and 2.5cm wide “highline” at “Pointe d'Areu” in the Aravis range, at an altitude of 2460 meters. This incredible achievement required the dedicated efforts of a team of six individuals over the course of three days to execute this world premiere.”

“Foodscapes” by George Steinmetz. 1st Place, Series.
“FOODSCAPES is an aerial component of my Feed the Planet project, which aims to comprehensively explore the global food supply and address the increasing challenge of feeding the growing human population, projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, without further encroaching on natural lands. Gaining a deeper understanding of food production and its environmental impacts is crucial for making informed decisions. To accomplish this, I utilize professional drones to capture elevated perspectives, as they offer the most effective means of showcasing the immense scale required to sustain the entire human population.”

“The Exhausted Lungs of Earth” by Ignacio Medem. 1st Place, Abstract.
“The Colorado River basin has been severely impacted by a combination of poor management and prolonged drought, reaching a critical point of no return. The intricate patterns formed by the water, metaphorically resembling the lungs of the earth, have become depleted and are teetering on the edge of collapse.”

“Thrown” by Daniel Franc. Highly Commended, Sport.
“We find ourselves thrust into this world, with its inherent frustrations, sufferings, and demands that were not of our own choosing, but also with its joys and goodness… and we navigate its unpredictable waves. The mere fact of our existence is a testament to this sense of being thrown into the world, much like the surfer depicted here.”

“Boon to Bane! The 300 acres of dumpyard” by Raj Mohan. Runner-up, Nature.
“Pallikaranai is one of the few remaining wetlands in India. However, this precious land is facing a severe pollution problem as approximately 300 acres of the wetland are being contaminated by the dumping of around 3500 tonnes of garbage (indicated by the white patch) on a daily basis. This alarming practice continues to grow day by day, leading to the rapid shrinkage of the wetland.”

“Hunting together” by Pham Huy Trung. Highly Commended, Wildlife.
“A Bryde's whale mother's migratory journey brought her to De Gi Bay in central Vietnam, where she spent a few weeks. It was an intriguing experience as she gave birth in this location, guiding her young whale to learn how to hunt in the peaceful marine environment abundant with small fish.”

“Playground” by Sebastian Piórek. 1st Place, Urban.
“A playground full of joy hidden somewhere deep in the south of Poland shows its beauty in the first flash of sun from above. This region is known for its mines and strongly urban character of architecture, so such a colorful playground is a kind of pearl from the ground and also from the air.”

“Austfonna Ice Cap” by Thomas Vijayan. 1st Place, Nature.
“I have visited this place several times before, but last year, it was disheartening to witness the sea ice melting as early as June. Our ship was able to navigate through the melted ice and reach the ice cap. However, even the ice cap had begun melting earlier than usual last year, which was a concerning observation.”

“Nowruz Kurdistan” by Omid Heydarifar. Runner-up, People.
“At the onset of spring, the people of Iranian Kurdistan joyfully embrace the arrival of the new year by kindling a bonfire and merrily dancing around it. This cherished tradition, called Nowruz, is also celebrated in various other countries.”

“Swim in the stars” by Krzysztof Krawczyk. 1st Place, Wedding.
“Under the heavy clouds, thousands of dry leaves glisten like stars from this vantage point, while gentle waves ripple beneath. The bride and groom find themselves in a boat adorned with beautiful flowers, creating a truly romantic scene.”

“Foodscapes” by George Steinmetz. 1st Place, Series.
“FOODSCAPES is an aerial component of my Feed the Planet project, which aims to comprehensively explore the global food supply and address the increasing challenge of feeding the growing human population, projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, without further encroaching on natural lands. Gaining a deeper understanding of food production and its environmental impacts is crucial for making informed decisions. To accomplish this, I utilize professional drones to capture elevated perspectives, as they offer the most effective means of showcasing the immense scale required to sustain the entire human population.”

“Wedding Ring” by Marcis Baltskars. Runner-up, Wedding.
“I capture group photos at every wedding, and this particular wedding was adorned with stunning shadows that added a unique touch to the overall picture.”

“Arctic Forrest” by Marek Biegalski. Runner-up, Abstract.
“One of my favorite things when exploring Iceland is the incredible glacial river perspective seeing from up high. They're called ‘braided river' systems, as they often resemble an intricate jumble of patterns, intertwining in an almost inexplicable fashion. These networks of river channels flow from.”

“Sleeping Giant” by Dhanu Paran. 1st Place, Wildlife.
“The elephant rests on its side, its massive body occupying a significant portion of the frame. Its wrinkled grey skin appears to harmonize effortlessly with the surrounding foliage, giving the impression that it is an inherent component of the landscape.”