Natural beauty, human suffering, wonders of the wild, fascinating life ... see the world’s best photos

TWO Australians have been honoured among this year’s finalists for the Sony World Photography Awards, which celebrate the Earth’s natural beauty.

A herd of Cape buffaloes comes to a water hole in South Africa. Picture: Andreas Hemb

IMAGES of natural beauty, human suffering, wonderful wild animals and fascinating everyday life are among finalists in a prestigious photography competition.

Judges have whittled down a whopping 227,596 images to a shortlist in the final round of the Sony World Photography Awards, and they’re stunning.

It showcases spectacular pictures from entrants spanning all corners of the globe, chief executive officer Scott Gray said.

“This year, more than any other, the entries to the Sony World Photography Awards have shown great integrity and are characterised by their considered approach,” Mr Gray said.

“Beautiful works of photographic art, not snapshots, have been presented to the judges and I am delighted to see our juries have chosen to reward the pure skill, artistic interpretation and thoughtfulness of the photographer, rather than simply the subject matter captured.”

The Sony World Photography Awards are judged anonymously by internationally acclaimed industry professionals.

An infant is baptised according to the Orthodox rite in a church in Tbilisi, Georgia. Picture: Beniamino Pisati

Hopefuls could enter a variety of categories, from architecture, still life and conceptual to natural world and street, in professional, youth, student and open sections.

Some of the most striking shots include Andreas Hemb’s picture of buffaloes drinking at a water hole in South Africa, which he took while sitting in the pitch black.

Another is by Yulia Grigoryants of a nine-year-old girl sitting in a shelter made of old rusty cars in a city in Armenia devastated by an earthquake in 1988 and still in a state of disrepair. It was taken 10 days after the child’s father died.

Syuzanna, nine, in front of the abandoned building she lives in. Picture: Yulia Grigoryants

Two Australians were among those honoured.

Jason O’Brien was shortlisted in the Sport category of the Professional competition for an image of a near-horizontal Gael Monfils as the tennis star dove to hit a ball at the Australian Open.

Gael Monfils from France was in action in his fourth round match when he dived horizontally off the ground in a desperate bid to get to a ball hit by his opponent Andrey Kuznetsov. Picture: Jason O’Brien

Tayla Martin was shortlisted in the Student Focus competition for a recreation of the emotionally charged moment her mother emerged from hospital, having been told her cancer was in remission

Shortlisted photographers now compete for a swag of imaging equipment and cash prizes. Winners will be announced in April.

Originally published as Natural beauty, human suffering, wonders of the wild, fascinating life ... see the world’s best photos