Landscapes, Customs, and Culture Shape the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards — Colossal
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Nearly half a million images were submitted to this year’s Sony World Photography Awards, organized by the World Photography Organisation, marking another highly competitive, awe-inspiring selection of moments captured across the globe. Now in its 18th year, more than 419,000 contributions rolled in from more than 200 countries.
The photos shown here are all entries in the Open competition, which invites amateur image-makers from around the world to submit their best compositions. Additional contest streams, for which many of these images are also considered, highlight the work of professionals, students, specific regions, women, and youth.
Winner, Travel: Matjaž Šimic, Slovenia, “Ask a Shaman.” Shamans play a major role in Native Bolivian traditional culture, La Paz, Bolivia
From dramatic landscapes to cultural customs to one-of-a-kind travel experiences, the winning and shortlisted photos capture beautiful and diverse ecosystems, locations, and traditions. The contest “celebrates the ability of an individual photograph to capture and distill a singular moment, and to evoke a broader narrative,” says a statement.
The overall winner of the Open Photographer of the Year will be announced on April 16 in London, where the 2025 exhibition opens at Somerset House and runs from April 17 to May 5. Explore all of the top shots on the awards’ website.
Shortlist, Travel: Khai Chuin Sim, Malaysia, “Wings of Tradition.” This pair of Kazakh eagle hunters was photographed in the vast and rugged landscape of western Mongolia. Clad in intricately detailed fur garments, they sit atop sturdy horses, with golden eagles perched majestically on their armsShortlist, Travel: Chim Oanh, Vietnam, “Incense Flowers.” Workers dry colorful incense before taking it to sell at the marketShortlist, Landscape: Yoshiaki Kudo, Japan, “Blossoms in a Dreamscape.” Weeping plum trees in full bloomShortlist, Lifestyle: Syed Mahabubul Kader, Bangladesh, “Paddy Straw.” A group of workers unloads paddy straw from a truck. The rice straw is a by-product of farming that is used for a variety of purposes, including as cattle feed and fuelShortlist, Landscape: XiaoYing Shi, China Mainland, “Ground Vein.” Aerial view of Factory Butte, UtahShortlist, Travel: Kunal Gupta, India. “The Colours of the Andes.” Set against the backdrop of Peru’s Rainbow Mountain, two elegantly adorned alpacas stand as symbols of the rich Andean culture and the timeless bond between humans and natureWinner, Lifestyle: Hajime Hirano, Japan, “Akihabara.” The prototype of today’s Akihabara was a gathering of street vendors selling parts for radios. After the late 1950s, during a period of rapid economic growth, Akihabara grew into “Japan’s largest electronics town.” Today, it is famous worldwide for its anime and cosplay cultureShortlist, Landscape: Francisco Negroni, Chile, “The Lord of Volcanoes.” Villarrica is the most dangerous volcano in Chile and one of the most active in America; its last eruption occurred in 2015. In this photograph a strong electrical storm can be seen over the volcano, while the crater is illuminated by the lava pitShortlist, Street Photography: Angela Magalhães, Portugal, “Feast of St. Martin.” The Magusto festival in the city of Braga is celebrated not only by eating chestnuts and drinking ‘água-pé’ (a traditional Portuguese spirit) but also by dancing, singing, and jumping the bonfire where the chestnuts are roastedShortlist, Travel: Arun Saha, India, “Floating Market of Myanmar.” Early in the morning, hundreds of vendors come to sell everyday necessities to both local consumers and tourists at Myanmar’s Inle LakeShortlist, Travel: Akram Menari, Algeria, “Get Ready!” The intricate details of the horse’s hoof emphasize its strength and poise; the hoof appears taut and ready for action, perfectly in sync with the rider preparing to engage in the equestrian sport. The photograph was taken just before a game began
