Winners announced: 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

THE world’s largest photography competition announces winners of its Open categories from more than 105,000 entries and National awards from 66 countries.

Swirl, Kovitlanje ... The image Swirl was taken at a local pond near Palovec. It shows the moment when small bird kingfisher flies out of water with a little fish in his beak. Picture: Petar Sabol, Croatia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

1/29Swirl, Kovitlanje ... The image Swirl was taken at a local pond near Palovec. It shows the moment when small bird kingfisher flies out of water with a little fish in his beak. Picture: Petar Sabol, Croatia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Wanaka Tree ... I had heard so much about this famous tree in Lake Wanaka. Although this scene had been photographed by many, I was artistically challenged to take my own version. The idea was to go on an early morning venture and get a good spot before the sun rose, capturing the glory of an amazing sunrise showering the tree in a golden light. Picture: Linda Cutche, New Zealander, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2/29Wanaka Tree ... I had heard so much about this famous tree in Lake Wanaka. Although this scene had been photographed by many, I was artistically challenged to take my own version. The idea was to go on an early morning venture and get a good spot before the sun rose, capturing the glory of an amazing sunrise showering the tree in a golden light. Picture: Linda Cutche, New Zealander, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Cautelosa / Cautious ... Taken on June 12, 2016, while working in the field, this iguana was near a small creek had done several reptile shots until I got this one. Picture: Jonatan Banista, Panama, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

3/29Cautelosa / Cautious ... Taken on June 12, 2016, while working in the field, this iguana was near a small creek had done several reptile shots until I got this one. Picture: Jonatan Banista, Panama, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Transportation ... I took this photo in Abu Dhabi, at one of past September morning days, a painting on the wall grabbed my attention, due to it represents UAE past culture. It made me bring my son, dress him with the Local traditional outfit that he loves the most, and made him play around with his tiny car under the paint, which reflects the great progress and innovation, that UAE witnessed in saving its own precious culture background. Mustafa Jind is a recident of United Arab Emirates with Syrian nationality. Picture: Mustafa Jindi, Emirati, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards;

4/29Transportation ... I took this photo in Abu Dhabi, at one of past September morning days, a painting on the wall grabbed my attention, due to it represents UAE past culture. It made me bring my son, dress him with the Local traditional outfit that he loves the most, and made him play around with his tiny car under the paint, which reflects the great progress and innovation, that UAE witnessed in saving its own precious culture background. Mustafa Jind is a recident of United Arab Emirates with Syrian nationality. Picture: Mustafa Jindi, Emirati, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards;

Golden Flare ... “Golden Flare” was taken last autumn at a remote reef off the coast of Western Australia. After an overnight journey we reached our destination, camping on a secluded beach we set out on the jet-ski at first light. This particular wave is intimidating and incredible. Ocean swells generated by powerful Southern Ocean storms rise up and break on a shallow reef shelf situated a mile out to sea. Shallow water and hydrodynamics create backwash forcing water back towards the oncoming swell. When timed correctly the collision is amazing. I managed to frame and capture this image as the wave exploded into the morning light whilst driving and manoeuvring the jet-ski. Picture: Gordon Becker, Australia, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

5/29Golden Flare ... “Golden Flare” was taken last autumn at a remote reef off the coast of Western Australia. After an overnight journey we reached our destination, camping on a secluded beach we set out on the jet-ski at first light. This particular wave is intimidating and incredible. Ocean swells generated by powerful Southern Ocean storms rise up and break on a shallow reef shelf situated a mile out to sea. Shallow water and hydrodynamics create backwash forcing water back towards the oncoming swell. When timed correctly the collision is amazing. I managed to frame and capture this image as the wave exploded into the morning light whilst driving and manoeuvring the jet-ski. Picture: Gordon Becker, Australia, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

The wanderer ... Image taken at a foggy night in November 2016 in Tarvastu, Estonia. Picture: Hendrik Mändla, Estonia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

6/29The wanderer ... Image taken at a foggy night in November 2016 in Tarvastu, Estonia. Picture: Hendrik Mändla, Estonia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

The Excitement ... Shot was taken during Yearly Machindranath Chariot Festival at Mangalbazaar, Patan. Every year thousands of people attend the chariot pulling festival. This person was very excited to see the festival in first hand and was jumping all over the place to see the chariot. Picture: Udhab Kc, Nepal, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

7/29The Excitement ... Shot was taken during Yearly Machindranath Chariot Festival at Mangalbazaar, Patan. Every year thousands of people attend the chariot pulling festival. This person was very excited to see the festival in first hand and was jumping all over the place to see the chariot. Picture: Udhab Kc, Nepal, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Trajectory of Konotori ... The stork is the name of the satellite on the rocket. I shot the trajectory by launch of the rocket with long exposure. Picture: Homare Hamada, Japan, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

8/29Trajectory of Konotori ... The stork is the name of the satellite on the rocket. I shot the trajectory by launch of the rocket with long exposure. Picture: Homare Hamada, Japan, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Wendy in Orocué ... Wendy Daniela Rivas, looks through a window from her home at Orocué, Casanare, Colombia. Picture: Juan Cristóbal Cobo, Colombia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

9/29Wendy in Orocué ... Wendy Daniela Rivas, looks through a window from her home at Orocué, Casanare, Colombia. Picture: Juan Cristóbal Cobo, Colombia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Surprise! ... It was a really interesting picture to take, as this woman was eating her sandwich while I was trying to frame her in the gap of the model’s arm. It took a few seconds, just enough for her to spot me... and make this incredible expression! It looks like the model is holding its own head, and it’s just awesome the way it fits together. Picture: Pierre Pichot, France, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

10/29Surprise! ... It was a really interesting picture to take, as this woman was eating her sandwich while I was trying to frame her in the gap of the model’s arm. It took a few seconds, just enough for her to spot me... and make this incredible expression! It looks like the model is holding its own head, and it’s just awesome the way it fits together. Picture: Pierre Pichot, France, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Fisherman ... With its beautiful colors and warm feeling in that small island. I drove for about an hour and a half from where I was staying in Yangzhou in China towered a small Island where I met an old man who spent most of his life fishing. It didn’t take too long from our arrival to the Island to see the light of the sunrise. The elderly Chinese fisherman in his traditional clothes pushed his bamboo boat into the water, carrying with him a fishing net, a light, and two Cormorants. Picture: Khalid Alsabat, Saudi Arabia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

11/29Fisherman ... With its beautiful colors and warm feeling in that small island. I drove for about an hour and a half from where I was staying in Yangzhou in China towered a small Island where I met an old man who spent most of his life fishing. It didn’t take too long from our arrival to the Island to see the light of the sunrise. The elderly Chinese fisherman in his traditional clothes pushed his bamboo boat into the water, carrying with him a fishing net, a light, and two Cormorants. Picture: Khalid Alsabat, Saudi Arabia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Tampaco Foils factory fire ... A firefighter is crossing from the nearer building’s roof to the affected building by using ladder to douse fire at ‘Tampaco Foils Limited’, a packaging factory at Tongi industrial area, Gazipur near to Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 10, 2016. Tampaco Foils Limited factory fire disaster, Bangladesh’s worst industrial disaster since the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, left a total of 39 people dead and also injuring around 50. Flammable materials stored on the factory floor, a gas leak, excessive use of gas and poorly positioned boilers are all being looked at as possible reasons of the huge explosion and fire at the five-story factory building. Picture: Rahul Talukder, Bangladesh, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

12/29Tampaco Foils factory fire ... A firefighter is crossing from the nearer building’s roof to the affected building by using ladder to douse fire at ‘Tampaco Foils Limited’, a packaging factory at Tongi industrial area, Gazipur near to Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 10, 2016. Tampaco Foils Limited factory fire disaster, Bangladesh’s worst industrial disaster since the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, left a total of 39 people dead and also injuring around 50. Flammable materials stored on the factory floor, a gas leak, excessive use of gas and poorly positioned boilers are all being looked at as possible reasons of the huge explosion and fire at the five-story factory building. Picture: Rahul Talukder, Bangladesh, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Take My Hand! ... A tiny hawksbill turtle backlit by the setting sun as it swims out to sea moments after hatching at Lissenung Island PNG. Shooting slow sync flash brought the image to life by giving it a 3D effect. Picture: Matty Smith, Australia, Commended, Open, Wildlife, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

13/29Take My Hand! ... A tiny hawksbill turtle backlit by the setting sun as it swims out to sea moments after hatching at Lissenung Island PNG. Shooting slow sync flash brought the image to life by giving it a 3D effect. Picture: Matty Smith, Australia, Commended, Open, Wildlife, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Submerged field ... Everyday aims towards a collective goal. The Colombian national team is immersed in white, gray, and black, fighting together for the ultimate position. With accredited prestige, an invitation was sent to participate in the European Junior underwater rugby Championship, as a guest team. Ana Maria and her team are constantly fighting, pushing their lungs to the limit and transforming their everyday lack of resources to an idea of opportunity. The volume of water suggests calm while the surface gives constant chaos. It is in this scenario that the South American team is named youth world champion winners in Norway. Picture: Camilo Diaz, Colombia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awardss

14/29Submerged field ... Everyday aims towards a collective goal. The Colombian national team is immersed in white, gray, and black, fighting together for the ultimate position. With accredited prestige, an invitation was sent to participate in the European Junior underwater rugby Championship, as a guest team. Ana Maria and her team are constantly fighting, pushing their lungs to the limit and transforming their everyday lack of resources to an idea of opportunity. The volume of water suggests calm while the surface gives constant chaos. It is in this scenario that the South American team is named youth world champion winners in Norway. Picture: Camilo Diaz, Colombia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awardss

Ballet dancer after hours ... This is an image of my friend Magda - a ballet dancer of the Polish National Ballet, taken in the kitchen of my apartment in Warsaw, Poland in October 2016. Captured with a camera handheld with additional light on left of the picture. The jump is all natural - no image manipulation. I love ballet and dance and so I took this image to show how talented the dancers are and also just for fun. Picture: Przemyslaw Olejarz, Poland, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

15/29Ballet dancer after hours ... This is an image of my friend Magda - a ballet dancer of the Polish National Ballet, taken in the kitchen of my apartment in Warsaw, Poland in October 2016. Captured with a camera handheld with additional light on left of the picture. The jump is all natural - no image manipulation. I love ballet and dance and so I took this image to show how talented the dancers are and also just for fun. Picture: Przemyslaw Olejarz, Poland, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Fish tornado ... The school of Big-eye trevally was taken in Dimakya Island in Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines during which was a trip I won for joining another photo contest (Selfie for Biodiversity). It was taken last November 29, I saw this school at the sandy area off the reef of Dimakya Island just before I saw a bigger school of scads. I decided to go back to the Big-eye trevally school and waited for the right moment for them to circle and form this amazing formation. Picture: Danny Ocampo, Philippines, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

16/29Fish tornado ... The school of Big-eye trevally was taken in Dimakya Island in Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines during which was a trip I won for joining another photo contest (Selfie for Biodiversity). It was taken last November 29, I saw this school at the sandy area off the reef of Dimakya Island just before I saw a bigger school of scads. I decided to go back to the Big-eye trevally school and waited for the right moment for them to circle and form this amazing formation. Picture: Danny Ocampo, Philippines, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Pork at back ... A loader from the 10 de Agosto marketplace carries pork meat to load in to the buyer’s truck in the city of Cuenca, on November 17, 2016. Pork served baked and fried with other local ingredients is a traditional ecuadorian meal. Picture: Alejandro Reinoso, Ecuador, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

17/29Pork at back ... A loader from the 10 de Agosto marketplace carries pork meat to load in to the buyer’s truck in the city of Cuenca, on November 17, 2016. Pork served baked and fried with other local ingredients is a traditional ecuadorian meal. Picture: Alejandro Reinoso, Ecuador, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Sunset at Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields ... A Hmong woman watching sunrise moment at Mu Cang Chai Rice Terrace. This region of northwest Vietnam is poor and relatively undeveloped but very rich in natural beauty. It has been recognized as one of the unique landscapes of Vietnam. Picture: Trần Minh Dũng, Vietnam, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

18/29Sunset at Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields ... A Hmong woman watching sunrise moment at Mu Cang Chai Rice Terrace. This region of northwest Vietnam is poor and relatively undeveloped but very rich in natural beauty. It has been recognized as one of the unique landscapes of Vietnam. Picture: Trần Minh Dũng, Vietnam, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

19/29Cliff View ... Picture: Husain Hakin Alfraid, Saudi Arabia, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Sleeping beauty ... During a game drive in Lake Nakuru national park in September 2016 we noticed this lioness on a tree. With the reputation of tree climbing lions in Lake Nakuru we were not surprised to see this lioness on the tree. With the light levels depleting quickly due to adverse weather conditions I made this picture to show the environment of the subject. Picture: Deveni Nishantha Manjula, Sri Lanka, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

20/29Sleeping beauty ... During a game drive in Lake Nakuru national park in September 2016 we noticed this lioness on a tree. With the reputation of tree climbing lions in Lake Nakuru we were not surprised to see this lioness on the tree. With the light levels depleting quickly due to adverse weather conditions I made this picture to show the environment of the subject. Picture: Deveni Nishantha Manjula, Sri Lanka, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Life scars ... A man who carries the scars of everyday life. Withe a smile on his face and a tear in the eye causes a lot of emotions in the eye od the beholder. Picture: Nikola Franjić, Croatia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

21/29Life scars ... A man who carries the scars of everyday life. Withe a smile on his face and a tear in the eye causes a lot of emotions in the eye od the beholder. Picture: Nikola Franjić, Croatia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

22/29Escape ... Picture: Mohammad Alnaser, Saudi Arabia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

23/29High life ... A leopard resting in a tree. Picture: Bjorn Persson, Sweden, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Life among the dead - a cemetery for the living ... The photo is taken at a cemetary in Manila, Philippines, where a community of people in lack of other places to stay, live inside the cemetery. The underprivileged and the dead have little choice but to mingle together in a cemetery filled beyond capacity. The cemetery is the place they call home, the place they know, the place they love and cherish. Unclaimed bodies and bones littering the place, has become toys for kids. Here a naked little boy had found a colourfull balloon bringing him some momentarily joy. Picture: Aksel Martin Larsen, Denmark, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

24/29Life among the dead - a cemetery for the living ... The photo is taken at a cemetary in Manila, Philippines, where a community of people in lack of other places to stay, live inside the cemetery. The underprivileged and the dead have little choice but to mingle together in a cemetery filled beyond capacity. The cemetery is the place they call home, the place they know, the place they love and cherish. Unclaimed bodies and bones littering the place, has become toys for kids. Here a naked little boy had found a colourfull balloon bringing him some momentarily joy. Picture: Aksel Martin Larsen, Denmark, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Whale dance ... A mother teaching her child how to jump near us. Picture: John Tao, Taiwan, Province of China, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

25/29Whale dance ... A mother teaching her child how to jump near us. Picture: John Tao, Taiwan, Province of China, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Flamingos’ Soul ... Flamingos on the shores of the Namibian Coast in the shallow waters of Walvis Bay. I am not a wildlife photographer but when I saw the first time the flamingos I get crazy! Flamingos on the shores of the Namibian Coast in the shallow waters of Walvis Bay make me a lot of inspiration. Their beauty and elegance make me to finish the photographic card very quickly. Picture: Alessandra Meniconzi, Switzerland, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

26/29Flamingos’ Soul ... Flamingos on the shores of the Namibian Coast in the shallow waters of Walvis Bay. I am not a wildlife photographer but when I saw the first time the flamingos I get crazy! Flamingos on the shores of the Namibian Coast in the shallow waters of Walvis Bay make me a lot of inspiration. Their beauty and elegance make me to finish the photographic card very quickly. Picture: Alessandra Meniconzi, Switzerland, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Mystic Island ... I was waiting eagerly for the first cold winter morning after the snowy day. Finally the conditions were just as I wanted them to be. Still lake, beautiful pink/purple morning tones, snow on the trees and some fog for mystic atmosphere. Picture: Aleš Krivec, Slovenia, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

27/29Mystic Island ... I was waiting eagerly for the first cold winter morning after the snowy day. Finally the conditions were just as I wanted them to be. Still lake, beautiful pink/purple morning tones, snow on the trees and some fog for mystic atmosphere. Picture: Aleš Krivec, Slovenia, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Synced ... Gentoo penguins, hunting in the icy cool waters of Antarctica. It’s incredibly interesting to see how synchronized they are with their movements and breaths, as they glide throughout the ocean. Picture: Nadia Aly, United States of America, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

28/29Synced ... Gentoo penguins, hunting in the icy cool waters of Antarctica. It’s incredibly interesting to see how synchronized they are with their movements and breaths, as they glide throughout the ocean. Picture: Nadia Aly, United States of America, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Below the Surface ... I have been photographing seascapes, waves and underwater for almost two years. I aways like to work with colours, patterns and forms to a point where textures start showing on the 2D images. With this collection, I try to create images that in addition to showing the beauty of the world below the surface, they can lead the viewers imagination and make them look for recognisable elements and shapes. These are flipped, turned and stitched together to form the final images. Image taken in Australia, December 2016. Picture: Alberto Monte Rego, Australia, Commended, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

29/29Below the Surface ... I have been photographing seascapes, waves and underwater for almost two years. I aways like to work with colours, patterns and forms to a point where textures start showing on the 2D images. With this collection, I try to create images that in addition to showing the beauty of the world below the surface, they can lead the viewers imagination and make them look for recognisable elements and shapes. These are flipped, turned and stitched together to form the final images. Image taken in Australia, December 2016. Picture: Alberto Monte Rego, Australia, Commended, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/photos/winners-announced-2017-sony-world-photography-awards/image-gallery/65d6fc64ccdc6de2a888b13c707b9834

Winners announced: 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Alleged backyard killer named in court

AFL star allegedly punched, broke man’s jaw at Burleigh Heads