Photography plays a vital role in defining and documenting the world around us... The inaugural Sony World Photography Awards will be held in Cannes between April 21 and 25.

The beauty of the best ... - 12 / 04 / 2008 09:20

Professional shutterbugs nominated in 11 categories will find out in Cannes who has been named Photographer of the Year.

The new international competition includes prizes for both amateur and professional photographers and awards in 11 categories including architecture, portrait and sport.

Winners in the professional categories will be named at a black-tie event in Cannes on April 24.

The top professional award includes a $25,000 prize and the title Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year.

The inaugural festival received a huge volume of entries: almost 26,000 amateur submissions, and more than 45,000 images from professional photographers.

Each year members of a new World Photography Academy will serve on the jury. Winners in all individual categories automatically gain membership to the Academy.

The eleven categories are: Abstract, Advertising, Architecture, Fashion, Music, Nature, Nude, Portraiture, Photojournalism, Science and Sport.

For more information on the Sony World Photography Awards, visit www.worldphotographyawards.org