An incredible glimpse into everyday life around the world.
The shortlist for the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards has been released, with a record 230,103 entries from photographers from 186 countries.
Up for grabs is $30,000 (€27,000) in cash prizes along with the latest digital camera equipment. The winners will be announced on 21st April and the shortlisted photos will be exhibited at London’s Somerset House throughout April and May.
The competition is divided into three categories; professional, open and youth. Sub-categories include travel, art and culture, portrait, current affairs, landscape, architecture and more.
Take a look at a selection of the stunning shots below. You can browse the complete shortlist here.
Young girls wait to perform at the Melasti Festival in Bali.
IMAGE: Khairel Anuar Che Ani/Sony World Photography Awards
Reindeer farmer kids in Mongolia.
IMAGE: Peter Voss/Sony World Photography Awards
The ‘Cuernos del Paine’ mountain range reflected over Lake Nordenskj in ‘Torres del Paine’ National Park.
IMAGE: Adriano Neves/Sony World Photography Awards
Taken at the U Bein bridge in Myanmar from a boat on Taungthaman lake.
IMAGE: Lesley Hall/ Sony World Photography Awards
Larung Gar, the home of 40,00 Buddhist monks in Sichuan province, China.
Image: Attila Balogh/Sony World Photography Awards
Malaika with her cubs in Masai Mara reservation, Kenya.
IMAGE: Mohammed Yousef/ Sony World Photography Awards
Worshippers after the Gangasagar fair in West Bengal.
Image: Abhijit Banerjee/Sony World Photography Awards
Bryce Canyon National Park.
Image: Anasuya Manal/Sony World Photography Awards
Children playing in the sand in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
IMAGE: MD Tanveer Rohan/ Sony World Photography Awards
The mass swarming of Danube mayfly in Raba and Danube rivers.
Image: Imre Potyó/ Sony World Photography Awards
Baby fur seal in the Commander islands.
IMAGE: Andrey Narchuk/ Sony World Photography Awards
Firefly season in Japan.
Image: Kei Nomiyama/Sony World Photography Awards
Morning candid of monks and novices while accepting offerings in Myanmar.
Image: Kyaw Bo Bo Han/Sony World Photography Awards
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey circus train.
Image: Stephanie Sinclair/ Sony World Photography Awards
A Chinese cultural theatrical show called the Impression Lijiang.
IMAGE: Nader Saadallah/Sony World Photography Awards
Eagle Hunting Festival in western China.
