Portraiture Winner

Zenande, Sinawe, Zinathi and Buhle at Sea Point Pavilion, Cape Town

Michelle Sank

Image description

This image is part of my ongoing series Ballade, which is a poetic homage to my birthplace. My strongest memories are of Sea Point Promenade and the Pavilion swimming pool, although due to apartheid it was only for the privileged white population. Returning in 2023 I was again drawn to these spaces where little seems to have changed in terms of structure and recreation, but they now celebrate cultural and social diversity.

Shortlist

Jonah Atkins

Self Portrait in Autumn

A self-portrait taken by an apple tree, inspired by the drab, earthy tones of autumn’s transition into winter. Lit with a single strobe and a large umbrella softbox.

© Jonah Atkins, Canada, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Mark Harrison

Untitled

Sir David Attenborough sits on a stool from my kitchen in the grounds where Charles Darwin wrote Origin of the Species.

© Mark Harrison, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Maira Ray

The Thinker

Forgotten by the Renaissance is a photographic series aimed at capturing the essence of individuals who, historically, were rarely seen as subjects in the Renaissance paintings that adorn museum walls. These images feature people from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in classical portraiture, providing a fresh perspective on their significance in the tapestry of art and culture. It seeks to challenge traditional narratives by creating a more inclusive representation of history.

© Maira Ray, Brazil, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Vladimir Karamazov

At the Border

To find yourself at a border, having to leave your life and go looking for another one, is something that has become more and more common in recent years.

© Vladimir Karamazov, Bulgaria, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Lloyd Jonathan Wright

Max and Hyoka

A young married couple photographed after a wild swim.

© Lloyd Jonathan Wright, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Andreas Kanellopoulos

Past Joys

This image portrays my grandmother, Archonto, in her wedding dress.

© Andreas Kanellopoulos, Greece, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Tetiana Nikitina

Fisherman and his Goldfish

This photograph was taken when my parents came to visit me in Portugal. My dad is not very independent; he’s like a small child who always needs help and support, and my mum helps him with everything, whether it’s filling out documents or going to the doctor. I decided to create this image to present my mum as a real goldfish that grants wishes. My dad is very lucky.

© Tetiana Nikitina, Ukraine, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Frederic Aranda

Mother Goose

Actor Sir Ian McKellen prepares to play Mother Goose in a pantomime at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End.

© Frederic Aranda, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Tyler Schiffman

Insect Hunter Father and Son

This compelling portrait shows a boy and his father from the Insect Hunter tribe in Papua New Guinea. Adhering to their intriguing tradition of carrying fire on their heads while gathering insects for cooking (on their heads) the joint portrait encapsulates this unique cultural practice. With their consent, they posed for my personal project, which was dedicated to capturing the diverse indigenous cultures of Papua New Guinea.

© Tyler Schiffman, United States, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

Amadeusz Świerk

Lost Childhood

Yegor (14) and Antonina (10) Rozov from Stepnohirsk, a village close to the southern frontline of the Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive in Ukraine. They were forced to flee their home because of the hostilities, and now live in an internally displaced persons centre in Zaporizhzhia, which houses around 60 families.

© Amadeusz Świerk, Poland, Shortlist, Open Competition, Portraiture, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards