Image description
Many of the photographs taken during a traditional Moroccan ‘tbourida’ show the riders firing their rifles. With this image, the photographer wanted to share another side of the event, and show how dangerous it can be when a rider is thrown from their mount.
Shortlist
Ahmed Abdallah
Untitled
The Abu Al-Fasad bird is known for its elegance and graceful movements. This small bird holds a special place in the Egyptian environment, symbolising vibrant nature and beauty. Photographed at Dahab Island, Giza, this image reveals the intricate details of the bird in flight against a natural backdrop. The photographer waited for four hours in the direct sun, to capture this moment.
© Ahmed Abdallah, Egypt, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Nick Alston
Got You
Taken during a match between the Rochford Hundred ‘Vixens’ Rugby Club and Westcliff Ladies Rugby Club.
© Nick Alston, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Wan Yong Chong
Spider-Verse
In this photograph, a group of freedivers skilfully defy gravity, suspended upside down beneath a boat in clear water. Their silhouettes create a mesmerising scene that is reminiscent of the ‘Spider-Verse’; their forms seem to dance in harmony with the underwater world, blending the artistry of human movement with the fluidity of aquatic life.
© Wan Yong Chong, Malaysia, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Antonio Flores García
El toro y el hombre
Fotografia realizada en Tultepec México capital de la pirotecnia.
8 de marzo del 2024
Un hombre va empujando su toro mientras una lluvia de explosiones y cohetes va quemando todo a su paso esta es una de las celebraciones mas importante de los tultepequenses conocidos como hombres fuego la quema de toros es el ritual de ofrenda de fuego y sangre para el ancestral Dios del fuego Huehueteotl y el santo de la pirotecnia San Juan de Dios.
© Antonio Flores García, Mexico, entry, Open Competition, Street Photography, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Sergey Geller
Jump!
The photographer worked with a fellow star in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ – Philadelphia, USA – to capture this slow-motion shot.
© Sergey Geller, United States, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Hao Guo
Launch
‘The moment the rocket launched into the sky, our hearts flew.’
© Hao Guo, China Mainland, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Alex Halloway
Cameron Crowd
The ‘Cameron Crazies’ – the student section of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team – attempt to distract an opposition player during an inbound pass.
© Alex Halloway, United States, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Leo Huang
Flyboard
Flyboarding is an emerging water sport that combines elements of skateboarding, wakeboarding and flying. Once you master the technique you can fly over the water, just like a real superhero!
© Leo Huang, Taiwan, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Tim Jenka
Sunset Surfers
Captured at Bondi Beach, Australia, this aerial photograph highlights a surfer navigating towering waves under the golden glow of sunset. The big waves create a dramatic contrast, with the sunlight illuminating the crests, while leaving the ocean in shadowy hues. The image freezes the motion of the moment, showcasing the delicate balance between human skill and nature’s raw energy in the fading light of day.
© Tim Jenka, Switzerland, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Tuan Nguyen Tan
The Movements of the Characters in Hát Bội
Hát bội is a traditional Vietnamese performance art that combines music, dance and drama. As with other traditional art forms, it reflects the life, stories and aspirations of Viet people. In hát bội, the characters are a crucial facor – without them, other elements of plot and action would not be expressed fully.
© Tuan Nguyen Tan, Vietnam, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Swee Choo Oh
The Zipper Carnival Ride
The Zipper is a spinning ride at the San Mateo County Fair, California, which is known for its thrilling light trails. The photographer used a wide-angle lens and a slow shutter speed to create a sense of motion and speed, experimenting with various angles to see how the light trails and subjects interacted. Background elements such as silhouettes of people and fair structures were included to add depth and context.
© Swee Choo Oh, Malaysia, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Cristopher Rogel Blanquet
The Zipper Carnival Ride
The Zipper is a spinning ride at the San Mateo County Fair, California, which is known for its thrilling light trails. The photographer used a wide-angle lens and a slow shutter speed to create a sense of motion and speed, experimenting with various angles to see how the light trails and subjects interacted. Background elements such as silhouettes of people and fair structures were included to add depth and context.
© Cristopher Rogel Blanquet Chavez, Mexico, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Eduardo Schneider
Hard Stop
The Florida Panthers ice hockey player, Mackenzie Entwistle, comes to a hard stop just inches from the camera lens. This photograph was taken during a media day, when all the players are photographed for the club’s advertising, promotional and social media campaigns.
© Eduardo Schneider, United States, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Joe Wakefield
Kids Wall Ride
A boy is followed closely by his sister as they ride their mountain bikes through a tunnel. He rode up the wall and jumped off right in front of the camera.
© Joe Wakefield, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Motion, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards