See 40 of the Best Photos Shortlisted in the Sony World Photography Awards

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The Sony World Photography Awards announced its shortlist today, trimming the field of candidates for this year’s Professional Photographer of the Year title from 230,103 down to 115.

Seven American photographers are in the running, including Stephanie Sinclair, Vladimir Frumin, Rob Gregory, Andrew Burton and Brendan Hoffman. They were selected among dozens of photographers from 186 countries.

The Professional Photographer of the Year, who receives a $25,000 cash prize, will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 21, along with winners competing in each category. All shortlisted images will be shown at Somerset House in London from April 22 to May 8.

Rachel Lowry is a writer and contributor for TIME LightBox. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @rachelllowry.

 

 

The project consists of seven photographic shots, each representing one of the women who influenced the sentimental life and artistic work of Pablo Picasso: Eva Gouel, Gaby Depeyre, Olga KhaKhlova, Marie-Therese Walter, Dora Maar, Francoise Gilot and Jacqueline Rocque. The project was conceived from the need to tell the story and give a face to the women who always lived under Picasso's wings and influenced the work of the most known artist of the twentieth century.
The project consists of seven photographic shots, each representing one of the women who influenced the sentimental life and artistic work of Pablo Picasso: Eva Gouel, Gaby Depeyre, Olga KhaKhlova, Marie-Therese Walter, Dora Maar, Francoise Gilot and Jacqueline Rocque. The project was conceived from the need to tell the story and give a face to the women who always lived under Picasso's wings and influenced the work of the most known artist of the twentieth century.Cristina Vatielli—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A woman poses in Miami, Fla. Miami is an incredible city, multifaceted, a modern Babylon that enjoys great popularity due to the charm of its buildings, nightlife and trendy life.
A woman poses in Miami, Fla. Miami is an incredible city, multifaceted, a modern Babylon that enjoys great popularity due to the charm of its buildings, nightlife and trendy life. Giancarlo Ceraudo—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Kinshasa, Paris of Africa 2025. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is known for its war but when it comes to fashion it's capital Kinshasa the place for many people on the African continent.
Kinshasa, Paris of Africa 2025. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is known for its war but when it comes to fashion it's capital Kinshasa the place for many people on the African continent. Yvonne Brandwijk—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Young girls wait for their turn to perform at the Melasti Festival in Bali, which is conducted once a year in conjunction with Nyepi or Silent Day.
Young girls wait for their turn to perform at the Melasti Festival in Bali, which is conducted once a year in conjunction with Nyepi or Silent Day. Khairel Anuar Che Ani—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A study of water, one of the most precious resources for life on our planet.
A study of water, one of the most precious resources for life on our planet. Stephan Zirwes—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A Barbie used as a symbol of contemporary Wester culture to trace the history of image iconic photography.
A Barbie used as a symbol of contemporary Western culture to trace the history of image iconic photography.Alberto Alicata—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Kids play over summer holiday at sea. Stopping to look at the different behavior of people on a pier is hilarious and often allows you to freeze the moments in memory.
Kids play over summer holiday at sea. Stopping to look at the different behavior of people on a pier is hilarious and often allows you to freeze the moments in memory.Andrea Rossato—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Bodybuilders at Haeundae Beach in Busan. Koreans are mad about health and physical appearance. Here appearance matters most; both in terms of beauty and conformity to norms.
Bodybuilders at Haeundae Beach in Busan. Koreans are mad about health and physical appearance. Here appearance matters most; both in terms of beauty and conformity to norms.Filippo Venturi—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Teams compete in the Women's Team Free Synchronised Swimming Preliminary on day four of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on July 28, 2015 in Kazan, Russia.
Teams compete in the Women's Team Free Synchronised Swimming Preliminary on day four of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on July 28, 2015 in Kazan, Russia.Matthias Hangst—Getty Images
Young girls train in gymnastics at a gym in Copenhagen. The girls, in the elite program, train 20 hours a week, putting in at least 10.000 hours of training to compete internationally.
Young girls train in gymnastics at a gym in Copenhagen. The girls, in the elite program, train 20 hours a week, putting in at least 10.000 hours of training to compete internationally.Jens Juul—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A RIC Hornets wheelchair basketball team member reaches for a basketball. These images were created for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Adaptive Sports Program.
A RIC Hornets wheelchair basketball team member reaches for a basketball. These images were created for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Adaptive Sports Program.Rob Gregory—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Young boys cheer at a boxing match in Bukom, a small neighborhood of Accra in Ghana, which has produced all of the country's world champions.
Young boys cheer at a boxing match in Bukom, a small neighborhood of Accra in Ghana, which has produced all of the country's world champions.Patrick Sinkel—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Portraits of the silver medal winners just after loosing their final at the Zealand boxing Championships held in Copenhagen in March.
Portraits of the silver medal winners just after loosing their final at the Zealand boxing Championships held in Copenhagen in March.Nikolai Linares—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A members of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS13, a transnational criminal gang which originated on the streets of Los Angeles along with its main rival, the Barrio 18 gang. El Salvador has seen escalating crime rates that is rapidly making the country the deadliest place in the world.
A members of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS13, a transnational criminal gang which originated on the streets of Los Angeles along with its main rival, the Barrio 18 gang. El Salvador has seen escalating crime rates that is rapidly making the country the deadliest place in the world. Marielle Van Uitert—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Chelse, 21, together with her boyfriend, Eric, and Alvin in her mother's trailer close to Beckley, West Virginia. They smoke OxyContin painkiller's before going out for a party on Halloween. With more than 500 people dying of overdose every year, West Virginia is the number one pill state in the U.S.
Chelse, 21, together with her boyfriend, Eric, and Alvin in her mother's trailer close to Beckley, West Virginia. They smoke OxyContin painkiller's before going out for a party on Halloween. With more than 500 people dying of overdose every year, West Virginia is the number one pill state in the U.S. Espen Rasmussen—VG/Panos Pictures
Local Solvichegodsk family, Oksana and her two kids, Sothia, who was born with heart disease. Over 50% of their salary is spent on utilities. They own this little room in the old house.
Local Solvichegodsk family, Oksana and her two kids, Sothia, who was born with heart disease. Over 50% of their salary is spent on utilities. They own this little room in the old house. Anton Unitsyn—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Men fast for the last five days of Kartika month, known as Bhisma-Panacaka. They have abstained from eating grains for the whole month, and intensify it for the last five days by taking only milk or water.
Men fast for the last five days of Kartika month, known as Bhisma-Panacaka. They have abstained from eating grains for the whole month, and intensify it for the last five days by taking only milk or water. MD Tanveer Rohan—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Church ruins. The series reflects on the role and place of the ruined church in contemporary Russian landscape, and on how it relates to the perception of time and history in present-day Russia.
Church ruins. The series reflects on the role and place of the ruined church in contemporary Russian landscape, and on how it relates to the perception of time and history in present-day Russia. Petr Antonov—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A woman drinks out of a water bottle near a "waste bank" of recycled waste in France. It's part of an exhibition exploring the excessive waste habits.
A woman drinks out of a water bottle near a "waste bank" of recycled waste in France. It's part of an exhibition exploring the excessive waste habits. Antoine Repesse—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A worker walks through farm fields in Los Banos, Calif., May 5, 2015.
A worker walks through farm fields in Los Banos, Calif., May 5, 2015. Lucy Nicholson—Reuters
A fisherman is farming the sea in between the bamboo rods constructed for aquaculture off the coast in southern China.
A fisherman is farming the sea in between the bamboo rods constructed for aquaculture off the coast in southern China.Tugo Cheng—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Two tourists photograph birds in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Two tourists photograph birds in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Elie Kauffmann—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Baby fur seal in the Commander Islands, Bering Sea.
Baby fur seal in the Commander Islands, Bering Sea. Andrey Narchuk—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
People on mass yoga exercise in the central park of Vilnius.
People on mass yoga exercise in the central park of Vilnius.Karolis Janulis—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A woman relaxes along the Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes, France in 2015.
A woman relaxes along the Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes, France in 2015. Talia Rudofsky—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Beached humans on unknown shores.
Beached humans on unknown shores.Alejandro Beltran—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A man on a bench along the Seine in Paris, at the perfect moment to get a perfect tan.
A man on a bench along the Seine in Paris, at the perfect moment to get a perfect tan. Alexandre Pruvost—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
One of hundreds of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar who seeks asylum in Aceh, Indonesia in May 2015.
One of hundreds of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar who seeks asylum in Aceh, Indonesia in May 2015.Fauzan Ijazah—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
For the Ekondas pygmies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most important moment in the life of a woman is the birth of her first child. Every day the young woman engages in an elaborate beautification ritual to draw attention to herself.
For the Ekondas pygmies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most important moment in the life of a woman is the birth of her first child. Every day the young woman engages in an elaborate beautification ritual to draw attention to herself. Patrick Willocq—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Home of 40 thousand Buddhist monks in China's Sichuan Province.
Home of 40 thousand Buddhist monks in China's Sichuan Province.Attila Balogh—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Reindeer farmer kids in Mongolia.
Reindeer farmer kids in Mongolia.Peter Voss—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
An elephant making its way toward the arena. The elephants will be retired from the circus in 2018.
An elephant making its way toward the arena. The elephants will be retired from the circus in 2018.Stephanie Sinclair—National Geographic Creative
There are now more captive Lions in South Africa than wild ones; approximately 8,000 compared to 2,000 living in the wild.
There are now more captive Lions in South Africa than wild ones; approximately 8,000 compared to 2,000 living in the wild. David Chancellor—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Cloud Flamingo.
Cloud Flamingo.Steiner Wang—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A sea creature in the cold-water seas along the coasts of Russia.
A sea creature in the cold-water seas along the coasts of Russia. Alexander Semenov—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A juvenile flying fish in open water near Tubbataha Reefs in the Philippines.
A juvenile flying fish in open water near Tubbataha Reefs in the Philippines. Eric Madeja—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A couple vacuum-packed couples as a method to express coherence in love.
A couple vacuum-packed couples as a method to express coherence in love. Haruihiko Kawaguchi—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A man stands as paint is poured on him as an expression of absurdity in an absurd world.
A man stands as paint is poured on him as an expression of absurdity in an absurd world. Juliette Blanchard—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
A selfie taken as an exploration on the obsession of self portraiture.
A selfie taken as an exploration on the obsession of self portraiture.Kristoffer Eliassen—2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Editorial for the jewelry special of the Germans Stern Magazine.
Editorial for the jewelry special of the Germans Stern Magazine.Oliver Schwarzwald—2016 Sony World Photography Awards

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