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HANDOUT // Sony World Photography Awards, Open Category Winners and Shortlist // Pictured: I took this at Hikkaduwa in Sri Lanka. There was a fantastic sunset and a lot of people were surfing, so I grabbed my camera and went to photograph the action. I tracked this kid as he showed off his skills and captured this moment. // CREDIT: Thusitha Jayasundara // DO NOT CROP OR ALTER. ONE TIME USE ONLY. MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER.

Our planet in pictures: The best of the Sony World Photography Awards

Olivia Harris
1 min read·March 13, 2024 - 8:37PM
News Corp Australia Network

The World Photography Organisation has unveiled the category winners and shortlist for the Open competition of the Sony World Photography Awards 2024, spotlighting the most exceptional images from 2023.

From haute-couture fashion in Kenya to high-stakes hunting in South America, this collection celebrates the very best in photography from around the world. Immerse yourself in the intimate lives of animals, experience Earth’s highest peaks via sophisticated drone photography, and celebrate the rich diversity of people and cultures of our planet.

Drawn from a staggering 395,000 submissions across more than 220 countries, the winners will go on to compete for the prestigious Open Photographer of the Year title and top prize. See the full set in our gallery below.

 

A zebra walks peacefully among a group of wildebeest in Kenya’s Masai Mara during the Great Migration. Picture: Pui Sun Tang
A zebra walks peacefully among a group of wildebeest in Kenya’s Masai Mara during the Great Migration. Picture: Pui Sun Tang

 

Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town stands as a testament to history, now embracing the diversity once denied by apartheid. Picture: Michelle Sank
Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town stands as a testament to history, now embracing the diversity once denied by apartheid. Picture: Michelle Sank

 

Moonrise and drone lights reveal Scotland’s Old Man of Storr, showcasing the icy terrain amid a powerful blizzard. Picture: Liam Man
Moonrise and drone lights reveal Scotland’s Old Man of Storr, showcasing the icy terrain amid a powerful blizzard. Picture: Liam Man

 

Horses race across thick snow in Inner Mongolia, China. Picture: Chee Kin Wong
Horses race across thick snow in Inner Mongolia, China. Picture: Chee Kin Wong

 

In Nairobi, a model emulates haute couture for ‘Twende Ziwani’, a shoot evoking Lake Victoria’s grandeur. Picture: Alvin Kamau
In Nairobi, a model emulates haute couture for ‘Twende Ziwani’, a shoot evoking Lake Victoria’s grandeur. Picture: Alvin Kamau

 

A lone camel thorn tree is dwarfed by a massive sand dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia. Picture: Barry Crosthwaite
A lone camel thorn tree is dwarfed by a massive sand dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia. Picture: Barry Crosthwaite

 

A jaguar savours a caiman after a swift battle in the heart of South America’s Pantanal. Picture: Ian Ford
A jaguar savours a caiman after a swift battle in the heart of South America’s Pantanal. Picture: Ian Ford

 

On the last day of the Yellow Double Ducks exhibition at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, a couple and their dog enjoy a quiet, rainy moment together. Picture: Carlo Yuen
On the last day of the Yellow Double Ducks exhibition at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, a couple and their dog enjoy a quiet, rainy moment together. Picture: Carlo Yuen

 

Sir David Attenborough sits on a stool in the grounds where Charles Darwin wrote Origin of the Species. Picture: Mark Harrison
Sir David Attenborough sits on a stool in the grounds where Charles Darwin wrote Origin of the Species. Picture: Mark Harrison

 

The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights men's basketball team completes its pre-game warm-up with a synchronised dunk in New Jersey. Picture: Ron Ratner
The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights men's basketball team completes its pre-game warm-up with a synchronised dunk in New Jersey. Picture: Ron Ratner

 

An aerial photo shows the Spanish city of Madrid. Picture: Huanzhen Yang
An aerial photo shows the Spanish city of Madrid. Picture: Huanzhen Yang

 

A close-up portrait of a bumblebee shows the details of its eye and antenna. Picture: Francis Principe-Gillespie
A close-up portrait of a bumblebee shows the details of its eye and antenna. Picture: Francis Principe-Gillespie

 

Boys jump from a rock into the ocean near the defensive walls of a colonial fortification in Sri Lanka. Picture: Ryszard Zembrzuski
Boys jump from a rock into the ocean near the defensive walls of a colonial fortification in Sri Lanka. Picture: Ryszard Zembrzuski

 

Otters at play at a zoo in Texas during golden hour, with the setting sun casting a warm glow over the water’s surface. Picture: Jonathan McSwain
Otters at play at a zoo in Texas during golden hour, with the setting sun casting a warm glow over the water’s surface. Picture: Jonathan McSwain

 

A graffiti gorilla grasps as a passer-by in a perfectly-timed shot. Picture: Apolo Sales
A graffiti gorilla grasps as a passer-by in a perfectly-timed shot. Picture: Apolo Sales

 

Ba Den Mountain is the tallest mountain in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. At its summit stands a 72m-tall Bodhisattva statue, the biggest of its type in Asia. Picture: Tran Tuan Viet
Ba Den Mountain is the tallest mountain in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. At its summit stands a 72m-tall Bodhisattva statue, the biggest of its type in Asia. Picture: Tran Tuan Viet

 

A convent of nuns mountain take a break while walking on Pic d'Orhy in the Pyrenees. Picture: Paul Robertson
A convent of nuns mountain take a break while walking on Pic d'Orhy in the Pyrenees. Picture: Paul Robertson

 

Llamas survey the landscape during a chilly dawn at Torres del Paine in Chile’s Patagonia. Picture: Charles Janson
Llamas survey the landscape during a chilly dawn at Torres del Paine in Chile’s Patagonia. Picture: Charles Janson

 

A drone captures the Allée des Baobabs in Madagascar during sunset, showcasing the trees’ majestic silhouettes against the vibrant sky. Picture: John Seager
A drone captures the Allée des Baobabs in Madagascar during sunset, showcasing the trees’ majestic silhouettes against the vibrant sky. Picture: John Seager

 

At Edinburg’s Ole Time Festival in Virginia, a young pageant contestant shines in a street portrait during the parade festivities. Picture: Argus Paul Estabrook
At Edinburg’s Ole Time Festival in Virginia, a young pageant contestant shines in a street portrait during the parade festivities. Picture: Argus Paul Estabrook

 

A panoramic view across Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland. Picture: Juan Lopez Ruiz
A panoramic view across Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland. Picture: Juan Lopez Ruiz

 

After eight days at Burning Man festival, 72,000 participants endure an eight-hour queue to exit Black Rock City, Nevada. Picture: Todd Kennedy
After eight days at Burning Man festival, 72,000 participants endure an eight-hour queue to exit Black Rock City, Nevada. Picture: Todd Kennedy

 

In Cappadocia’s Goreme valley, early morning brings hot air balloons and spirited horses together. Picture: Sarah Wouters
In Cappadocia’s Goreme valley, early morning brings hot air balloons and spirited horses together. Picture: Sarah Wouters

 

Sir Ian McKellen prepares to play Mother Goose in a pantomime at the Duke of York Theatre in London’s West End. Picture: Frederic Aranda
Sir Ian McKellen prepares to play Mother Goose in a pantomime at the Duke of York Theatre in London’s West End. Picture: Frederic Aranda

 

Fishermen use bamboo traps in knee-deep water as they take part in a traditional fishing festival in Pabna, Bangladesh. Picture: Joy Saha
Fishermen use bamboo traps in knee-deep water as they take part in a traditional fishing festival in Pabna, Bangladesh. Picture: Joy Saha

 

A great blue heron swallows its early morning catch in Madison, Alabama. Picture: Christopher Baker
A great blue heron swallows its early morning catch in Madison, Alabama. Picture: Christopher Baker

 

The “Phoenix Fireworks” dazzle for a five minute display, marking the climax of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival. Picture: Setsuna Kurouzu
The “Phoenix Fireworks” dazzle for a five minute display, marking the climax of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival. Picture: Setsuna Kurouzu

 

A little dog waits patiently for his owner, fiercely guarding their pint. Picture: Picture: Sonia De Wit
A little dog waits patiently for his owner, fiercely guarding their pint. Picture: Picture: Sonia De Wit

 

Tegalsambi villagers in Jepara’s Tahunan district, Indonesia, uphold tradition with the ‘torch war’ ceremony. Picture: Herman Morrison
Tegalsambi villagers in Jepara’s Tahunan district, Indonesia, uphold tradition with the ‘torch war’ ceremony. Picture: Herman Morrison

 

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, carrying the debated X-37B, crosses the Moon’s path. Picture: John Studwell
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, carrying the debated X-37B, crosses the Moon’s path. Picture: John Studwell

 

In Papua New Guinea, a boy and his father from the Insect Hunter tribe showcase their tradition of carrying fire for insect gathering. Picture: Tyler Schiffman
In Papua New Guinea, a boy and his father from the Insect Hunter tribe showcase their tradition of carrying fire for insect gathering. Picture: Tyler Schiffman

 

At dawn atop Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest point, a sea of fog transforms the cityscape into a surreal tableau of silhouetted skyscrapers. Picture: Siu Hang Andrew Tsang
At dawn atop Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest point, a sea of fog transforms the cityscape into a surreal tableau of silhouetted skyscrapers. Picture: Siu Hang Andrew Tsang

 

A well-fed male bear cautiously surveys a walrus colony before wisely retreating. Picture: Elodie Ruelleux-Dagorne
A well-fed male bear cautiously surveys a walrus colony before wisely retreating. Picture: Elodie Ruelleux-Dagorne

 

Sun shines down on the Mailfell volcano in Iceland. Picture: Marco Capitanio
Sun shines down on the Mailfell volcano in Iceland. Picture: Marco Capitanio

 

In Indonesia, a rare sight: a male orang-utan descends from the treetops to the forest floor to forage for ant nests. Picture: Jayaprakash Joghee Bojan
In Indonesia, a rare sight: a male orang-utan descends from the treetops to the forest floor to forage for ant nests. Picture: Jayaprakash Joghee Bojan

 

Pamplona, Spain, celebrates during the festival of San Fermin. Picture: Oscar Manso
Pamplona, Spain, celebrates during the festival of San Fermin. Picture: Oscar Manso

 

A capybara visits a house in San Antonio in the Amazon rainforest, Peru. Picture: Sergio Attanasio
A capybara visits a house in San Antonio in the Amazon rainforest, Peru. Picture: Sergio Attanasio

 

An aerial drone reveals the vibrant expanse of an open-air laundry along the Yamuna river, transforming the scene into a colourful tapestry. Picture: Alexandre Pietra
An aerial drone reveals the vibrant expanse of an open-air laundry along the Yamuna river, transforming the scene into a colourful tapestry. Picture: Alexandre Pietra

 

Naples celebrates its soccer team’s third Italian Championship in May 2023, after 33 years, with vibrant festivities and songs. Picture: Stefano Valerio
Naples celebrates its soccer team’s third Italian Championship in May 2023, after 33 years, with vibrant festivities and songs. Picture: Stefano Valerio

 

Horses gallop along dusty plains, giving the illusion they are running on clouds. Picture: F.Dilek Yurdakul
Horses gallop along dusty plains, giving the illusion they are running on clouds. Picture: F.Dilek Yurdakul

 

A mother elephant greets her daughter. Picture: Jesus Frias
A mother elephant greets her daughter. Picture: Jesus Frias

 

A young surfer makes the most of the evening waves in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka. Picture: Thusitha Jayasundara
A young surfer makes the most of the evening waves in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka. Picture: Thusitha Jayasundara

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Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/photos/our-planet-in-pictures-the-best-of-the-sony-world-photography-awards/news-story/3b8f528b15857a40f5a557d875947f81