Sony World Photography Awards: could one of these spectacular submissions win the top prize?

English description: Taken on June 12, 2016, while working in the field, this iguana was near a small creek had done several reptile shots until I got this one. Spanish description: Tomada el 12 de junio de 2016, mientras trabajaba en el campo,esta iguana estaba cerca de un pequeño riachuelo habia echo varias tomas de reptiles hasta que consegui esta.

The Sony World Photography Awards has announced the experts and influencers that will be judging the competition in its 11^th annual year.

The likes of Centre for Contemporary Photography Director Naomi Cass and The Art Newspaper Chief Contributing Editor Gareth Harris will join head judge Mike Trow, Picture Editor at British Vogue.

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Sue Davies, founder of The Photographers’ Gallery, publisher Dewi Lewis and Ullens Center for Contemporary Art Director Philip Tinari make up the judging panel for the Professional competition.

Renowned photography expert Zelda Cheatle will be leading the Open and Youth competitions, while art agent Reiner Opoku will take charge of the Student competition.

What are the Sony World Photography Awards?

The Sony World Photography Awards are a collection of competitions that photographers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels are able to enter.

There are currently four competition categories open, which offer photographers with different levels of expertise the chance to claim an award. These are:

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Professional: Otherwise known as the Photographer of the Year award, this is one of the biggest achievements in photography. Entries must include 5 to 10 images, with the winner receiving $25,000.

Open: This competition is open to photographers of any age or experience level. One winner will be selected from single image submissions, with a $5,000 prize up for grabs.

Youth: The Sony World Photography Awards aims to uncover the next generation of photographers. Rules state that only 12-19 year olds can enter. The winner will receive a trip to the London award ceremony and imaging equipment.

Student Focus: Open to full-time photography university students, the best student photographer will receive $30,000 worth of equipment, as well as flights and accommodation for the London award ceremony.

Sony World Photography Awards show entrants how it’s done

The winners won’t be confirmed until the ceremony takes place in April 2018.

However, in order to give entrants some idea of what the judges will be looking for, the event organisers have released some of the best early entries: