Sony World Photography Awards 2021 Student And Youth Competitions Shortlist Announced

The World Photography Organisation has just announced the shortlist for the Student and Youth competitions of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021. The photographers who win the “Student Photography of the Year” and “Youth Photographer of the Year” award will be unveiled this coming 15 April via their online and video platforms.

Student competition of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021

Ten students were listed in the Student competition of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021. All of these shortlisted photographers hail from leading higher education institutions from across the world. These students were asked to submit 5 to 10 photos based on two given briefs. Here are all the shortlisted photographers and their works which focus on environmentalism to social and political activism to cultural preservation:

• Border by Matías Alejandro Acuña (Argentina, Motivarte) – Depicts the work of park rangers in Argentina’s Punta Bermeja nature reserve.
• Bàt-ti-to by Irene Facoetti (Italy, Cfp Bauer) – Features a series of black & white photographs combining radiographs and medical data of wounded birds treated in the CRAS WWF Valpredina rehabilitation centre.
• Home by Tayla Nebesky (USA, University of the West of England) – Looks at her parents’ efforts towards self-sufficiency on their ranch in California.
• Faces: Building a Better Future by Matias Garcia Paez (Ecuador, Ravensbourne University London) – Presents interiors and portraits of members of a construction team working on the home of local architect David Vasconez who specialises in sustainable building.
• My Local Leaders by Coenraad Heinz Torlage (South Africa, Academy of Design and Photography) – Features portraits of philanthropic figures whose varied contributions made a significant impact on their rural community of Dundee in Kwazulu-Natal.
• Engelhande (Angel Hands) by Claudia Mauderer, (South Africa, Stellenbosch Academy) – Looks at the work of Sprouting Minds, a non-profit organisation in the Fisantekraal area, that aims to provide meals to school children and education on food sustainability through talks and cultivation initiatives.
• Hope in Nepal, with support from The Leprosy Mission by Hannah Davey (New Zealand, Elam School of Fine Arts) – Documents the work of The Leprosy Mission (TLM) in the village of Tikabhairab which funds the Anandaban Hospital and local groups working in the community.
• Gosha Bergal (Russian Federation, Rodchenko Artschool) – Depicts protests for fair elections to the regional parliament in the city of Moscow.
• Thomas Hengge (USA, New York University) – Covers Black Lives Matter demonstrations in New York City following the death of George Floyd.
• Inheritor series from Yanan Li (Mainland China, University of Technology) – Captures the spirit of Chinese opera, a time-honoured tradition, struggling to maintain its relevance in an era of technology and new media.

Building a Better Future is the topic of the first brief. Students had to tell the stories of those working towards a better future for all in the context of a challenging 2020. The work of the selected 10 students engages with key contemporary issues while highlighting the efforts of individuals and organisations from across the globe.

These ten students have now moved to the second stage of the competition and are each awarded with Sony digital imaging equipment to help complete their second brief Our Time. Students will have to produce a series of images which explores the way they and their contemporaries see the world and how they hope to change it.

“Student Photography of the Year” winner will be announced on 15 April and will be awarded €30,000 (RM147343.13) worth of Sony digital imaging equipment for their institution. You can check out the stunning shortlisted photographs right here.

Youth competitions of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021

Six category winners comprise the Youth competition shortlist with each winner responding to a different monthly theme from July to December 2020. You can check out the works of these amazing photographers down below.

In Pubarun Basu’s (India, 19 years-old, Composition & Design, July 2020) photograph, the shadows of parallel railings are projected onto curtains in the photographer’s home, creating the illusion of cage bars. From behind the curtains, a pair of hands is trying to break through, conveying a sense of entrapment shared by so many across the world this past year.

Tianyang Wang (China Mainland, 18 years-old, Culture, August 2020) black & white portrait depicts a local Tibetan man in his home.

Emil Holthausen (Germany, 18 years-old, Natural World & Wildlife, September 2020) presents a striking image of a fox sitting in the snow.

Ram Kaushalyan’s (India, 18 years-old, Street Life, October 2020) photograph of a young boy captures the vibrancy and energy of the local street fair where it was taken.

Connor Lothian’s (UK, 18 years-old, People, November 2020) abstract image of a model performing in a studio is a result of his experimentation with colour and movement.

Zak Elley’s (UK, 19 years-old, Show Us Your World, December 2020) collaboration with make-up artist Rebecca Ross presents the subject of the photograph in a full face of makeup based off the TikTok logo colour scheme. The portrait comments on the platform’s immense popularity alongside the dangers lurking in today’s social media spheres.

“Youth Photographer of the Year” winner will be awarded a range of Sony digital imaging equipment and is chaired by Gastón Deleau, Director, FOLA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Sony World Photography Awards is produced by the World Photography Organisation and is one of the most important fixtures in the global photographic calendar. Now in its 13th year, the free-to-enter Sony World Photography Awards is a global voice for photography and provide a vital insight into contemporary photography today. For both established and emerging artists, the Sony World Photography Awards offer world-class opportunities for exposure of their work.

Pokdepinion: I envy talented photographers like these Sony World Photography Awards 2021 shortlisted photographers. The way they execute their craftsmanship, stirring feelings and emotions with just a photograph is just amazing to me.