Sony pictures awards showcase beautiful nature photos

The Sony World Photography Awards, put collectively by the World Photography Organisation, are actually of their nineteenth 12 months and for the 2026 contest acquired an enormous 430,000 photos from greater than 200 nations and territories throughout 4 completely different competitions. Here, the Open competitors focuses on the energy of a single picture taken sooner or later in the course of the 12 months, and because the class suggests, welcomes entries from photographers of all ranges.

The Open Photographer of the Year can be introduced on April 16, with this class’s exhibition on present in London from April 17 to May 4. It’ll then hit the street as a touring exhibition.

For 2026, judges chosen a shortlist and 10 class winners throughout themes together with structure, avenue pictures, journey and wildlife. Here, we spotlight a few of our favorites from the pure world. That consists of the quilt picture named “Celestial Dance”, taken by shortlisted prize contender Lorea Hausheer from Switzerland, which stars a younger Lusitano stallion shifting freely throughout a pictures session, capturing its uncooked energy and style.

Arctic Fox in Blizzard

Klaus Hellmich/Sony World Photography Awards 2026

This beautiful picture could at first appear like it is AI-generated, however it’s 100% genuine. Snapped by German photographer Klaus Hellmich, it is the winner of the Natural World & Wildlife class. While it might resemble a white Arctic fox, it is truly a blue morph Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), with the sunshine and publicity making its brown fur look silver and otherworldly. It was shot on the Varanger Peninsula in Norway.

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Tim Munsey/Sony World Photography Awards 2026

We can forgive the photographer, Tim Munsey from the UK, for not providing up a title for this picture – because it speaks for itself. The shortlisted snap captures a griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in a fierce battle with a golden jackal (Canis aureus) within the mountains of Bulgaria.

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Paolo Dellepiane/Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Shortlisted Italian Paolo Dellepiane additionally missed out on the prospect of nice title for his shot, “spotting” a canine with a piebald coat, just like that of the horse it had sat close to, throughout an equestrian occasion on a seaside in Imperia.

At the Edge

Wouter van Hofwegen/Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Wouter van Hofwegen’s picture of a polar bear standing by itself, close to the place ice meets water – described as “a symbol of resilience in the face of a changing climate” – is a robust one and well-deserving of getting the Dutch photographer a shortlist place within the Natural World & Wildlife class.

The Eye: Window to the Soul

Chung Cheong Wong/Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Shortlisted photographer Chung Cheong Wong from Singapore captured one of the vital fascinating photos within the Natural World & Wildlife class, with the symmetrical magnificence hitting you earlier than you marvel what the hell this animal is. So that can assist you on the market, this can be a Blakiston’s fish owl (Ketupa blakistoni)), a nocturnal chicken of prey. It’s additionally the biggest residing owl species on the planet. This completely timed snap captures one of many owl’s eyes, watchful by means of its feathers.

For many extra highlights from the profitable and shortlisted photos throughout a variety of classes, take a look at our gallery. You’ll see then why it was so troublesome to spotlight only a couple right here.

Source: Sony World Photography Awards