Sony World Photography Awards 2024 was an evening gala held at London’s Somerset House to commemorate and showcase photography as an art form. Marking 17 years of the awards ceremony, this year highlighted its longstanding dedication to supporting and honoring photography communities worldwide by celebrating exceptional talent from around the globe and their stories.
At a gala hosted by the World Photography Organisation, Juliette Pavy was honored as their Photographer of the Year for her captivating series: Spiralkampagnen: Forced Contraception and Unintended Sterilisation of Greenlandic Women.” Her award included a $25,000 prize, cutting-edge Sony digital imaging equipment and an exhibition slot at next year’s awards ceremonies.
Winners were also announced for the Professional, Open, Student and Youth competitions. Each entry displayed unique perspectives and creativity; those in the Professional category covered topics ranging from architecture and design to environmental issues while showing technical skills as well as narrative depth in their creations.
At this ceremony, Sebastiao Salgado was recognized with an Outstanding Contribution to Photography award. Salgado’s 50-year career has left an indelible mark on photography with his powerful black-and-white imagery that illuminates human condition and global issues.
Liam Man was chosen as Open Photographer of the Year for his dramatic photograph “Moonrise Sprites Over Storr,” featuring the Old Man of Storr on Skye and notable composition and atmospheric conditions, garnering him global acclaim and earning him a $5,000 prize and further international renown.
Student and Youth competitions highlighted the next generation of photographers. Kayin Luys from LUCA School of Arts Sint Lukas in Brussels was named Student Photographer of the Year with his intimate portrayal of domestic life titled, “Don’t Trust Pretty Girls,” while Daniel Murray from UK won Youth Photographer of the Year with his depiction of an English seaside scene.
Kathleen Orlinsky receiveds the Sustainability Prize as part of “Creators for the Planet,” for her series on Gila Wilderness that stresses environmental conservation.
These awards honor artistic excellence while providing a platform to address pressing global issues through photography. An exhibition featuring winners and shortlisted entries will remain at Somerset House until 6 May 2024, giving a comprehensive snapshot of global photography today.