The 2018 Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world's leading photography competitions, are now open for entries. Now in its 11th year, the competition is open to photographers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levelsin 10 diverse categories. Submissions are free at www.worldphoto.org.
The closing date for entries is 4 January 2018. IBTimes UK presents some of the inspiring early entries received so far in each of the categories.
Architecture: The photographing of buildings or structures. This can be real or an interpretation of a building, but the work must have an intended aesthetic.
Wildlife: This category typically focuses on animals that are undomesticated and shot within their natural environment.
Jiamin Lu, China – Wildlife: Fireflies FlyingJiamin Lu/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Shirly Pricillia, Indonesia – Wildlife: The LeaderShirly Pricillia/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Hamish Mitchell, Canada – Wildlife: On The Brink Of ExtinctionHamish Mitchell/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Landscape & Nature: Your view of the physical world. Open wide to interpretations, this category covers landscapes, mountains, glaciers, plants and more. Please note, though, that this category does not include wildlife imagery.
Irena Walania, Poland – Landscape & Nature: Touched by the SunIrena Walania/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Joana Villar, Portugal – Landscape & Nature: Tajma-HaJoana Villar/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Ales Krivec, Slovenia – Landscape & Nature: Drama in the MountainsAles Krivec/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Felipe Tomas Jiménez Ordóñez, Spain – Landscape & Nature: La OlaFelipe Tomas Jiménez Ordóñez/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Motion: Capturing movement within a single, still image.
Riyas Muhammed, India – Motion: Amazing FlyboardRiyas Muhammed/Sony World Photography Awards 2018F Dilek Uyar, Turkey – Motion: Wild HorsesF Dilek Uyar,/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Diego Faus Momparler, Spain – Motion: The LighthouseDiego Faus Momparler/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Portraiture: The photographer should clearly show the expression and emotion of the person or group of people being photographed. Normally the subject is aware that the photograph is being taken and there is a relationship between the sitter and the photographer.
Enhanced: A photograph that has been technically manipulated. This could include abstract, panoramic, stitched and composite images, among others.
Garcia Dominik, France – Enhanced: Les rêveries de Monsieur C...Garcia Dominik/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Travel: Inspiring images from your travels. The journeys may be close to home or further afield.
Guillaume Petermann, France – Travel: UntitledGuillaume Peterman/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Cezar Gabriel Popescu, Romania – Travel: Happiness is in The Small ThingsCezar Gabriel Popescu/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Debmalya Roy Choudhuri, India – Travel: The Universal BeingDebmalya Roy Choudhuri/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Culture: Consider this category in the widest meaning of the world. This could include art, sport, traditional customs, history, festivals, local events and/or celebrations.
Matheus Hobold Sovernigo, Brazil – Culture: Sacred Monk MealMatheus Hobold Sovernigo/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Still Life: Typically depicting inanimate subject matter, often a group or an arrangement of objects devoid of human presence. The approach can be classic or innovative and bold.
Klaus Lenzen, Germany – Still Life: Car ParkKlaus Lenzen/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Udo Dittmann, Germany – Still Life: CornflowersUdo Dittmann/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
Street Photography: An image that records everyday life in a public space.
Ranajit Chatterjee, India – Street Photography: ReflectionRanajit Chatterjee/Sony World Photography Awards 2018Ichsan Sudarmanto, Indonesia – Street Photography: SleepyIchsan Sudarmanto/Sony World Photography Awards 2018
The closing date for entries is 4 January 2018. Enter now at www.worldphoto.org