“Drying Fish” by Khanh Phan, Open Category Winner for Travel. (Photo: © Khanh Phan, Vietnam, Category Winner, Open, Travel, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards)
A woman dries trays of fish at Long Hai fish market in the Vung Tau province of Vietnam. Thousands of trays of scad are dried on rooftops and in yards by hundreds of workers. I came to Long Hai on a photo trip and was overwhelmed by the scale of the fishing village.

The World Photography Organisation has announced the open shortlist and category winners of the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards. Now in its 14th year, this partnership between Sony and the World Photography Organisation has highlighted the work of some of the world’s most talented professional, amateur, and youth photographers. The National Awards for the 2021 competition were released in February; now, you can view the gallery of the winners of the open categories and the open shortlisted images.

“African Victorian” by Tamary Kudita, Open Category Winner for Creative. (Photo: © Tamary Kudita, Zimbabwe, Category Winner, Open, Creative, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards)
With this image, I wanted to portray a hybrid African-Victorian: my way of probing the stereotypical contextualisation of the black female body. I provide an alternative version of reality, where dualities fuse to create a new visual language. Taking a Victorian dress and merging it with traditional shona cooking utensils was my way of showing a multifaceted identity.

For the 2021 awards, 10 photographs have been designated category winners in topics such as architecture, travel, and motion. The winning photographers receive precision Sony equipment to continue their artistic missions. They are also in the running for the Open Photographer of the Year title and a $5,000 cash prize. These winning images—plus the work of over 100 shortlisted photographers from around the world—will be displayed in an online exhibition on the World Photography Organisation website beginning in mid-April. The ultimate title of Open Photographer of the Year will be awarded on April 15, 2021. […]

“Disinfection” by F.Dilek Uyar, Open Category Winner for Street Photography. (Photo: © F.Dilek Uyar, Turkey, Category Winner, Open, Street Photography, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards)
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Affairs unit of Ankara Municipality sprays all public transportation, day and night.

More: Stunning Winning Images of 2021 Sony World Photography Awards