Sony World Photography Awards: Our pick of the shortlist

The shortlist for the 2010 Sony World Photography Awards was announced this week, with 190 photographers from 48 different countries making the grade out of more than 80,000 entries.

Astrid Merget, Creative Director of the World Photography Organisation says:

“As in past years, the sheer number of entries from across the globe overwhelms us and reminds us of how universal photography is as a creative expression. We are thrilled to see the quality of entries once again heighten and even more pleased to see many returning photographers on the shortlist.”

In the professional competition there are 12 categories within the three subject genres: Photojournalism and Documentary (Current Affairs, Sport, Contemporary Issues and Arts and Entertainment); Commercial (Advertising, Fashion and Music) and Fine Art (Portraiture, Conceptual and Constructed, Natural History, Landscape and Architecture).

There are nine amateur categories which are: Architecture, Conceptual and Constructed, Documentary, Fashion, Landscape, Music, Natural History, Portraiture and Sport. This year, the amateur entries were pre-selected by inspectors from iStockphoto, which were the official 2010 Pre-selection Committee, before being judged by the Honorary Judging Committee.

The finalists in each of the categories will be announced on Thursday 22 April at the Sony World Photography Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Grand Lumier Theatre at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

Click here or on the image to see our pick of the best shortlisted entries