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Sony World Photography Awards - 2017 Categories

• Professional competition
• Open competition
• Youth competition

• Architecture The judges are looking for the ability to capture three-dimensional worlds into two-dimensional, whilst retaining the original qualities. Light, angle and scale are key factors but the subject matter can be wide-ranging.

  Conceptual The body of work in this category should be staged to represent an idea. Originality and creativity should have no boundaries and the concept should be preconceived and understood by the viewer.

  Landscape Showing spaces within the world in all their varieties, from large scale aerials to microscopic views. Judges will focus on the aesthetic quality of the final images.

  Natural World Judges are looking for artistic images of our natural, physical or material world. The category should be understood in its widest sense, from flora and fauna to wildlife.

  Portraiture The subject in the body of work is expressly aware that their portrait is being taken. The resulting images demonstrate a likeness to the subject and convey expression, emotion and / or personality.

  Still Life Often a group or an arrangement of objects, Still Life typically depicts inanimate subject matters. The approach can be classic or innovative and bold. Judges will closely consider composition, lighting and framing when viewing the work.

  Current Affairs & News Judges are looking for a body of work that documents a specific story of historical fact that has a news or current affairs agenda. The story could be of global or local concern. Image processing is allowed but it is the responsibility of the photographer to not manipulate or enhance the images in such a way that they distort or change the reality of the scene shot.

  Contemporary Issues The judges are looking for a body of work that highlights and raise awareness of a social, global and / or economic issue relevant to the present day. Unlike Current Affairs & News, the photographer drives the narrative; the body of work is typically subjective.

  Daily Life Daily Life can include a wide variety of stories, usually providing a brief insight into a person, group of people, demographic, religion or culture. Normally, these insights are candid and document the daily interactions or actions of the subjects being photographed.

  Sport The judges are looking for images that capture the intensity, emotions and action of the chosen sport subject. It could be professional or amateur, the focus could be on the sportsperson or the sport environment but a strong narrative must be present.
• Architecture The photographing of buildings or structures that is both accurate, and aesthetically pleasing.

  Culture Consider this category in the widest meaning of the word, this could include: art, sport, traditional customs, history, festivals, local events and / or celebrations.

  Enhanced A photograph which has been technically manipulated. This could include abstract, panoramic, stitched and composite images.

  Motion Capturing movement within a single, still image.

  Nature Your view of the physical world around us and all within it. This could include landscapes, mountains, glaciers, plants and more. Please note this category does not include wildlife imagery.

  Wildlife This category typically focuses on animals that are undomesticated and shot within their natural environment.

  Portraits Images of people where the subject is aware of the photograph being taken and the expression and the emotion of the person is clear.

  Still Life Typically depicting inanimate subject matter, often a group or an arrangement of objects devoid of human presence.

  Street Photography An image that records everyday life in a public space.

  Travel Inspiring images from your travels around the world.
• Beauty The definition of ‘beauty’ is “the quality of being pleasing, especially to look at, or someone or something that gives great pleasure, especially when you look at it. In your photograph the judges are looking to see what you consider to be ‘beauty’. Take the word in its widest form – from environment to people, animals to still life.