Sony World Photography Awards 2013

The winners will be selected by a jury of experts and will receive their prizes at a festive gala in London. In addition to prize money and photographic equipment, the winners also have the opportunity to draw attention to themselves and their pictures worldwide: The winning photos will go on tour around the world as part of an exhibition.

Every year, the Sony World Photography Awards recognize the best that international photography has to offer. To date, more than 430,000 photos from 178 countries have been submitted. Participation in the competition is free of charge. All entries are reviewed by leading representatives of the photography world. Previous winners of the Sony World Photography Awards include Alejandro Chaskielberg, Simon Norfolk, Paolo Pellegrin, Robin Hammond, Rena Effendi, David Zimmerman and the winner of the L'Iris d'Or 2012, US photographer Mitch Dobrowner.

In the new edition of the competition for 2013, participants can submit their pictures in the following categories:
- Professional competition for professional photographers
- Open competition for amateurs and enthusiasts
- Student Focus competition for photography students (age: 18-28 years)
- Youth competition for photographers under the age of 20
- Moving Image Award for all those who experiment with cinematic and narrative means
- 3D Award for all those who use 3D technologies for photography or video

The shortlist will be published in February. The winners will be announced at an awards gala at the end of April 2013. The winner of the L'Iris d'Or and thus the title of "Sony World Photography Awards Professional Photographer of the Year" will receive prize money of 25,000 US dollars. The winner of the title "Open Photographer of the Year" will receive prize money of 5,000 US dollars. All winners of the individual categories can look forward to receiving brand new camera equipment from Sony. The winner of the Student Focus competition will receive Sony photography equipment worth around 50,000 US dollars for their university.

The images of all the winners and numerous shortlisted photographers will be on display at Somerset House in London from April to May 2013. The exhibition is part of World Photo London, the month-long WPO Festival of Photography and Moving Image, which will be hosted at Somerset House for the third year running. The WPO will also showcase the winners' work on its website, at international exhibitions and in the annual Sony World Photography Awards book.