Image description
A Japanese mother, adorned in a kimono, gracefully serves tea while her bi-racial daughter, impatiently engrossed in her smartphone, immerses herself in the memories of the Y2K era.
Shortlist
Callie Eh
The Hand
A groom waves enthusiastically while passing by during a ceremonial procession for a wedding in Bhaktapur, Nepal.
© Callie Eh, Malaysia, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Jana Fašungová
Maybe Tomorrow I'll Write a Poem
I love magic realism in literature, because it sounds like poetry, but as I am not capable of writing poems with words, I wanted to write them with light instead. This image is part of an ongoing series of self-portraits that represent an intimate dialogue with the artist – a manifestation of her emotions and her inner world that leaves space for the viewer to create their own poem.
© Jana Fašungová, Slovakia, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Anna Karvounari
Monocle
This black-and-white self portrait shows me holding a magnifying sheet in front of my eye to convey intensity and my keen interest in discovering details. I focused on my eye to emphasise the importance of observation and exploration.
© Anna Karvounari, Greece, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Anna Rossetti
Unfinished
Many of Cairo’s buildings are unfinished, because their owners have to pay higher taxes when they are complete. This makes me think of Penelope’s weaving in Homer’s Odyssey, constantly in progress, and this is not the only point of contact between the city and Greece: Cairo owes its name to Kairòs, a Greek word meaning ‘at the right time’.
© Anna Rossetti, Italy, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Foteini Zaglara
Hanging In
This self-portrait is a powerful metaphor for domestic violence. The solitary female figure in red stands amidst a trio of dark, empty suits that represent the invisible, oppressive presence of an abuser. The image evokes a sense of isolation and the courage to face one’s oppressors, reflecting the silent endurance that many victims of domestic violence carry within them.
© Foteini Zaglara, Greece, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Sonia De wit
Still Waiting
Walking past this pub, I looked through the window and saw this little dog waiting for his owner. I went inside and took this photograph – I didn't have time for a second one.
© Sonia De Wit, Belgium, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Sonja Ivancsics
Winter Solitude
Winter on Norway’s Lofoten Islands is just beautiful and magical. This mountain panorama, with the lonesome tree and its reflection in the small lake, caught my eye. Desaturating the photograph in post-production seemed a natural way to highlight the icy character of the scene and its great contrasts. This is a single exposure, cropped into a panoramic format.
© Sonja Ivancsics, Austria, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Beatrice Wong
Oceanic Tapestry
From the vantage point of Huazhu village in the coastal region of Xiapu, China, you get a mesmerising view of the vast ocean adorned with countless oyster and seaweed farms. These farms resemble ‘oceanic tapestries’, meticulously laid out and stretching as far as the eye can see.
© Beatrice Wong, Hong Kong, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Self-Portrait of Veronica
This self-portrait shows the bond I will always have with my mother. Although the atmosphere is moody, the flowers – which are from the funeral – provide reassurance, like an aura floating around you.
© Veronica Stroomer, Netherlands, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Aleksandra Garbarczyk
Natural Beauty
With this composition I wanted to highlight the beauty of shape and colour possessed by organic objects, that we don’t necessarily notice in everyday life. I took this picture in my studio in Salzburg.
© Aleksandra Garbarczyk, Poland, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Rosella Tapella
The Lady in Red
I met this lady in red during a walk on the Naples seafront. On sunny days Neapolitans spend their time with friends and family on the beaches or the seaside docks.
© Rosella Tapella, Italy, Shortlist, Open Competition, Lifestyle, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Rosetta Bonatti
Calm Waters
This abandoned, ship-shaped building is located 800 metres (2,625 feet) above sea level in Italy’s Apennine Mountains.
© Rosetta Bonatti, Italy, entry, Open Competition, Architecture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Sofia Fernandez Stenstrom
Untitled
Let your inner light guide you.
© Sofia Fernandez Stenstrom, Spain, Commended, Open Competition, Object, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Cheryl Maeder
Super Natural: Cloudburst One
I chose the name Super Natural for this series, as I am introducing super-saturated colours into the natural environment. I work on location with wind and natural light creating the fog of colour in each setting, as well as, working with eco-friendly materials. The mists of colour gently cascade into the natural elements bringing a healing energy as it passes through. The mist brings a transformative breath into our world, as if coming from another dimension to heal our planet.
© Cheryl Maeder, United States, Commended, Open Competition, Creative, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards