Sony World Photography awards

Sony World Photography awards - in pictures

A selection of some of the strongest images from the professional and open shortlist for the 2012 Sony World Photography awards

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 February 2012 00.29 GMT

Flower by Alexandr Afonin, a winner in the open shortlist – enhanced category. Photograph: Alexandr Afonin

Car poolers by Alejandro Cartagena, a winner in the professional shortlist – people category Photograph: Alejandro Cartagena

A mother feeding her young in a nest made inside a wood recovery by Giovanni Frescura, a winner in the open shortlist – nature and wildlife category Photograph: Giovanni Frescura

Life in the exclusion zone by Donald Weber, a winner in the professional shortlist – current affairs category Photograph: Donald Weber/VII

Death row prisoners' last meals by Helen Grace Ventura Thompson, a winner in the professional shortlist – still life category Photograph: Helen Grace Ventura Thompson

Marked for life by Laura Pannack, a winner in the professional shortlist – campaign category. Photograph: Laura Pannack

S'Ardia by Mattia Vacca, a winner in the professional shortlist – arts and culture category. Photograph: Mattia Vacca

Symphony of fire by Natalia Belentsova, a winner in the open shortlist – low light category. Photograph: Natalia Belentsova

Loi-kra-tong festival in Thailand by Pansiri Pikunkaew, from the open shortlist – low light category. Photograph: Pansiri Pikunkaew

Waiting room by Paul Irving, a winner in the open shortlist – enhanced category. Photograph: Paul Irving

A boy is looking after his younger brother in a traditional playing swing chair in northern Xinjiang, China by Ricky Alexander, one of the winners in the open shortlist – smile category. Photograph: Ricky Alexander

Moving forward, stand still by Rona Chang, a winner in the professional shortlist – landscape, category. Photograph: Rona Chang

Dragon boat race by Samuel Chan, a winner in the open shortlist – split second category Photograph: Samuel Chan

Untitled by Victoria Bolshemennik, a winner in the open shortlist – people category. Photograph: Victoria Bolshemennik

Shall we dance by Chan Kwok Hung, a winner in the open shortlist – nature and wildlife category. Photograph: Chan Kwok Hung