NZ photographer shortlisted at Sony World Photography Awards

New Zealand photographer beats worldwide competition to be shortlisted at the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

© Robert Saunders, New Zealand, Shortlist, Open competition, Landscape, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

The 2019 Awards’ first shortlist announcement shows exceptional single images from around the world

Robert Saunders from Whangarei shortlisted in the 2019 Awards’ Open competition

Ten Open category winners revealed February 26, with overall Open and Youth winners announced April 17, 2019

LONDON: FEBRUARY 5, 2019: The World Photography Organisation today reveals the shortlisted photographers for the Open and Youth competitions of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards.

Included in the list is New Zealand photographer Robert Saunders who is recognised as taking one of the world’s best single images from 2018.

Saunders is shortlisted for his image Sterling Falls entered to the Awards’ Open Landscape category.

His success is remarkable as the 2019 Awards received its highest ever number of entries - 326,997 from 195 countries.

Saunders’ stunning image was shot in March 2018, on his fourth and final attempt to capture the power of the Sterling Falls in the heart of Milford Sound, New Zealand. Talking about the experience the photographer comments:

“ The water at Sterling Falls drops a staggering 151m into the basin with such force that it rips across the surface in a beautiful web like texture throwing spray in every direction. The scene truly emphasises the raw power and wildness of Fiordland. To capture this image, I had to approach the falls by boat. Standing on the bow I managed to get a few frames off before spray completely drenched both me and my camera, just one of the implications of wanting to capture this scene at 24mm ”.

A salesperson based in Whangarei, Saunders has been shooting for more than 5 years and is passionate about nature and conservation.

Saunders will now go on to compete against talented photographers from across the world to win his categories and have the chance to become Open Photographer of the Year , with prizes including the latest cutting-edge Sony camera equipment, flights to the London Awards ceremony, and $5000 USD .

All the shortlisted will be shown at the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London before going on a global tour and being published in the annual Awards’ book.

Produced by the World Photography Organisation, the internationally acclaimed Sony World Photography Awards are one of the most important fixtures on the global photographic calendar. The Awards are now in their 12th year of partnership with headline sponsor Sony, and consist of four competitions in total: Professional (for a body of works), Open (for a single image), Student (for academic institutions) and Youth (for 12-19 year olds). The Professional competition shortlist will be announced March 26.

Record number of entries to 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

As one of the world’s largest and most prestigious global photography competitions, the Awards annually celebrate and promote the best contemporary photography from the past year across a wide variety of photographic genres.

A total of 326,997 entries from 195 countries and territories were submitted across the four competitions of the 2019 Awards, the highest ever number of entries to date .

Judging the Open and Youth shortlists The Sony World Photography Awards are judged anonymously by internationally acclaimed industry professionals, including representatives from international museums, publishing and the media.

This year’s Open and Youth competition judging was chaired by Rebecca McClelland , Photography Director & Head of Art Production for Saatchi Saatchi & Prodigious (UK).

McClelland comments: “I was astonished with the diversity of work that was entered into the Open and Youth competitions. The award represents a very democratic appreciation of photography, from tradition to emergent trends across all genres from nature to fashion. The competition allows the broadest demographic to have a platform.

“Judging single images is never easy, it is important to give equal appreciation regardless of genre to allow the fairest outcome. The judging is hosted blind to prevent nepotism or bias, which is extremely important. I look forward to seeing these striking contemporary images on display at this year’s exhibition at Somerset House.”

Other competitions and prizes

The shortlist of the Awards’ Youth competition, rewarding the best single image taken by young photographers aged 12-19, was also announced today and the Professional and Student competition shortlists will be announced March 26. All shortlisted and winning images will be exhibited as part of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London from April 18 until May 6, 2019 before touring globally.

The Awards’ overall winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 17. The Photographer of the Year, Open Photographer of the Year , Youth Photographer of the Year, the Professional competitions’ category winners and the ten shortlisted Student entrants will all be flown to London to attend. Winners will also receive the latest Sony digital imaging equipment and will be included in the 2019 Awards' book.

2019 Key Dates

February 26 - Open category and National Awards winners’ announcement

March 5 - Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient revealed

March 26 - Professional and Student competitions’ shortlist announcement

April 17 - Photographer of the Year , Overall Open, Student, Youth winners and Professional category winners’ revealed

April 18 - May 6, 2019 - 2019 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition (Somerset House, London)

Notes to Editors

About World Photography Organisation

The World Photography Organisation is a global platform for photography initiatives. Working across up to 180 countries, our aim is to raise the level of conversation around photography by celebrating the best imagery and photographers on the planet. We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with both individual photographers as well as our industry-leading partners around the world. The World Photography Organisation hosts a year-round portfolio of events including the Sony World Photography Awards , one of the world’s leading photography competitions, and PHOTOFAIRS, leading international art fairs dedicated to photography

For more details see www.worldphoto.org

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, imaging, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, interactive entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $77 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. Sony Global Website: http://www.sony.net/

Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation that is responsible for its imaging products and solutions businesses, from consumer camera, solutions with a focus on broadcastand professional-use products, to medical business.

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