Best Photos from Sony World Photo Awards 2014

Just over a month is left before the closing date for entries for the Sony World Photography Awards 2014. The jury will be chaired by William Hunt, an expert in photography from New York. The jury also includes representatives of the World Academy of Photography. Works for the open and youth competition are accepted until January 6, for the competition for professionals - until January 9.

We present, in our opinion, the best works of the participants of the photo contest.

(Total 13 photos)

Source: pixanews.com

1. Photo: Carlos Duarte, Spain, Entry, Open People

Carlos Duarte took this picture during one of his travels. He says: “This photo was taken in the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. My guide and I came to the village of Arbore. While talking to the headman, I looked to the right and saw that a brown tsunami was approaching us. It was amazing: the women tried to protect themselves from the sandstorm by wrapping themselves in scarves, and I just closed my eyes. Deciding that the storm had passed, I opened my eyes and saw a boy sitting on an old tree. I hurried to make his portrait - clouds of the next sandstorm were already swirling behind him.

2. Photo: Nicolas Reusens Boden, Sweden, Entry, Open Nature & Wildlife

This photo was taken by Nicolas Reusens Boden in Sweden. He says: “I shot in natural but controlled conditions. Some photographs cannot be taken outdoors - or it will take a lot of time and money, which is why photographic workshops are held in strategic places and attract all those who wish to learn the basics of photography (lighting, camera work, composition, etc.) . Workshop participants are given the opportunity to take pictures like this. Although I was in control, this shot is not staged. I led a workshop during which we photographed a tree frog known as the red-eyed tree frog (agalychnis callidryas) from Costa Rica. Suddenly, the frog jumped onto the branch where this huge titan beetle was sleeping… I had everything prepared in advance, I just changed some settings and pulled the trigger… the rest is history.”

3. Photo: Cory Kipa, new Zealand, Entry, Open Nature & Wildlife

This photo was taken in Sydney, Australia at the Toronga Zoo near Sydney Harbour. Photographer Corey Kipa says: “I just watched the giraffes walking around the enclosure. They weren't doing anything special, and then it started to rain heavily. In order not to get wet, I hid under the roof with my equipment and suddenly noticed young giraffes crowding at the entrance to the cave. They behaved somewhat confused, because their mother was not with them. They looked around, then I saw their mother, who approached them as if nothing had happened, and they calmed down. The moment was beautiful and I am very happy that I was able to capture it.”

4. Photo: Eugene Stulov, Russia, Entry, Open Arts and Culture

The photo was taken in one of the Moscow theaters - the Moscow City Council Theatre. In the photo - actress Lili Bolgashvili.

5. Photo: Holger Schmidtke, Germany, Entry, Open Architecture

This is a subway station at a train station in Duisburg, Germany. Photographed by Holger Schmidtke.

6. Photo: Igor Kryzhko, Russia, Entry, Open Smile

This photo was taken at the festival of colors in Novorossiysk. Photographer Igor says: “I have already come across photographs of such events, so I was very happy to be able to take part in it. Strictly speaking, I was not so much interested in the fun itself, but the chance to capture this event, being in the very center of it. I put my camera in a plastic bag and blended in with the crowd. When the action began, I could hardly see anything and suddenly I noticed this girl, covered in paint and with a big smile on her face. I immediately pressed the trigger. Unfortunately, I don't know the girl's name.

7. Photo: Joyce Le Mesurier, Singapore, Entry, Open Arts and Culture

A small Bhutanese boy tries on the mask of a dancer sitting across from him; A dancer rests after a physically exhausting mask dance at a colorful festival at Tamshing Lhakhang Monastery in Bumthang, Bhutan.

8. Photo: Kevin John Bleasdale, UK, Entry, Open Architecture

Kevin John Bleasdale filmed people climbing the O2 building in London. He says: “London tourists in climbing suits and harnesses slowly climbed the fabric suspended walkway up the O2 Millennium Dome to a 52-metre-high observation deck with unparalleled views of the city's docks. Unfortunately for photographers, you can only take mobile phones with you (in a special pocket). This picture was taken from a safe distance. I kept my feet firmly on the ground and included some rather whimsically painted buildings in the frame.”

9. Photo: Pedro Londoño, Colombia, Entry, Open Low Light

This photo was taken at an amusement park in Medellín, Colombia. Photographer Pedro Londoño says it's "a place where childhood is remembered."

10. Photo: Samantha Fortenberry, US, Entry, Open Low Light

Samantha Fortenberry explains what inspired her to take this photo: “When you're young, there's nothing better than being around friends. Even a heavy downpour during a summer swim contributes to wonderful memories. You may grow up and forget the names, but remember the moments of your childhood forever. This photo shows my friends on the pier in the city park in Scottsboro, Alabama.”

11. Photo: Sergio Carbajo, Spain, Entry, Open Travel

The photo shows Sergio, a remote village of the Nyahnyu Konyak Naga people, located in Nagaland, India, near the border with Myanmar. Every village has an Angh (king of kings). The title is hereditary.

12. Photo: Simone Sapienza, Italy, Entry, Open Travel

Simone Sapienza titled her work Faith. It depicts one of the most conservative areas of Istanbul, where tradition and fashion coexist in a strange way.

13. Photo: Sinan Dinis, Portugal, Entry, Open Panoramic

Competitor Sinah Dinis says: “This photo was taken in Amsterdam during a trip I made with the last euro in my pocket, trying to find answers to some vital questions. A week later, on my way home without pictures due to bad weather, I saw this small beach and all these wooden stumps arranged in a circle, with one large stump in the very center. The sky was beautiful, there was no one around, so I took 4 pictures, from which I assembled a panorama at home. In the last seconds of my trip to Amsterdam, God gave me this chance: no one around, complete silence and harmony. And I had the feeling that I was present at the reunion of the beginnings, when everyone listens to one - the wisest - in the center of the circle.