The shortlist for the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world's leading photography competitions, has been revealed today by the World Photography Organisation. Photographers from 166 countries submitted nearly 140,000 images, the highest number of entries in the awards' seven-year history.
All the shortlisted images will go on show at Somerset House, London, from 1-18 May as part of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. Tickets are now available at www.worldphoto.org/2014exhibition. The winners and images that made it to the final phase will also be published in the 2014 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.
The awards recognise Professional, Open and Youth contestants. This gallery showcases just 25 of the shortlisted images in the Professional competition, in a number of categories like Architecture, Contemporary Issues and Current Affairs. Professional category winners and the coveted L'Iris D'Or/ Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year title will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on 30 April. The L'Iris D'Or winner will receive $25,000.
Glenna Gordon, United States: "Bride Temitope Caulker poses with her bridesmaids, who in typical Nigerian fashion, wear outfits that match the decor of the wedding hall."Glenna GordonChristian Ziegler, Panama: Pitcher plants of Borneo. "Nepenthes rajah, the largest pitcher plant of the genus, offers nectar inside its lid, which is frequently licked off by the tree shrews in the daytime. While licking, the shrew often sits over the opening of the pitcher, sometimes defecating or urinating - this is the plant's source for phosphorus and nitrogen."Christian ZieglerRobert Frachette, Canada: UntitledRobert FrachetteValerie Leonard, France: The MessiahValerie Leonard Sophie Gamand, United States: Wet Dog 07. "Caught mid-bath, a wet dog tries to save the last bit of dignity he has."Sophie GamandRichard Garvey-Williams, United Kingdom: Giraffes in the Masai Mara Reserve, KenyaRichard Garvey-WilliamsAdam Pretty, Australia: Double Dive. "Jose Guerra Oliva and Jeinkler Aguirre Manso of Cuba compete in the Men's 10m Platform Synchronised Diving final on day two of the 15th FINA World Championships at Piscina Municipal de Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain."Adam Pretty/GettyMikhail Mordasov, Russia: "A boy hides from a big wave on the Black Sea embankment during a storm in Sochi."Mikhail MordasovCarlotta Cardana, United Kingdom: Matt and FayCarlotta CardanaNikolai Linares, Denmark: "Jorge Herrera prepares for several months up to a fight. Morning and evening for three hours each time. Only Sunday he relaxes. The training alternates between technique, fitness and strength."Nikolai LinaresEsposito Salvatore, Italy: What is Missing?Esposito SalvatoreKacper Kowalski, Poland: The Depth of WinterKacper KowalskiChloe Bartram, Australia: UntitledChloe BartramRoberto Bragotto, Italy: Ollie Under a Highway BridgeRoberto BragottoYongSheng Zheng, China: UntitledYongSheng ZhengRicardo Teles, Brazil: UntitledRicardo TelesMatteo Mezzadri, Italy: Citta Minime #4Matteo MezzadriMarcelo del Pozo, Spain: "Penitents of the San Esteban brotherhood embrace next to a poster which reads 'Good death', during Holy Week in the Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain"Marcelo del PozoWilfred Berthelsen, Norway: UntitledWilfred BerthelsenEd Thompson, United Kingdom: English Defence League. "London. 2011. A member of the EDL shows off his tattoos. The English Defence League tried to march through London into one of its most predominantly Muslim boroughs, Tower Hamlets. The Metropolitan Police stopped them at Algate East tube station just outside the borough."Ed ThompsonSara Naomi Lewkowicz, United States: Untitled. "One month into their courtship, Shane had Maggie's name tattooed on his neck in large black letters."Sara Naomi LewkowiczMichael K Nichols, United States: "During the rains this unnamed kopje (rock outcropping) has a waterhole that brings prey for the Vumbi pride. On this afternoon they rested closely together after all five females attacked Hildur, the second male in the resident coalition. Why? Maybe simply because there was not enough food to share."Michael K NicholsDaniel Kitwood, United Kingdom: A man fans flames after one of the most powerful storms ever recorded hit the central PhilippinesDaniel KitwoodViktor Lyagushkin, Russia: UntitledViktor LyagushkinChristian Vizl, Mexico: Beneath the MysteryChristian Vizl
