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2019 Sony World Photography Award Winners Announced
18 April 2019
The World Photography Organization has named the overall winners of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards. All winners received Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in the winners' book and their work will be shown as part of the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London.
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
The Photographer of the Year title was presented to the Italian artist Federico Borella for his series Five Degrees. The series focuses on male suicide in the farming community of Tamil Nadu, Southern India, which is facing its worst drought in 140 years.
Federico Borella. From 'Five Degrees'.
The jury for praised the work for its "sensitivity, technical excellence and artistry in bringing to light a global concern."
On winning the award which includes a $25,000 prize, Borella said:
This award is one of the most important things for my career and my life. This kind of visibility is amazing because it allows me and my work to reach a global audience. It is a "golden ticket" that happens once in a lifetime. I feel a huge responsibility because I have been able to witness and record this situation as a photojournalist. This award is proof to my subjects that they can trust me -- and for my profession this is fundamental.
Borella was selected from the 10 category winners of the Professional competition who were announced alongside those in second and third place in each Professional category.
OPEN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Christy Lee Rogers. 'Harmony'.
Nashville-based Hawaiian photographer Christy Lee Rogers was named Open Photographer of the Year for her work Harmony and receives the $5,000 prize. Rogers is an internationally exhibited artist known for using water and lighting in her photographic works to create dramatic effects.
YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Zelle Westfall. On the theme of 'Diversity'.
Atlanta-based American student Zelle Westfall was awarded for her image Abuot, a striking single image in response to the theme "Diversity."
Speaking of her winning work, Westfall said "Abuot is my friend from school and she is one of the funniest people I know. In today's society, with skin bleaching products and colorism flooding the media, it's important to highlight the beauty of dark-skinned women who are often told that they are 'too dark."
The Youth competition was open to all photographers aged 12-19.
STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Sergi Villanueva. 'La Terreta'.
Valencian student Sergi Villanueva was chosen by the judges from submissions worldwide for his photographic series La Terreta, an evocative portrayal of his homeland through the local orange farming and harvesting process.
Villanueva represented Universidad Jaume I and has won €30,000 worth of Sony photography equipment for the institution.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY
Nadav Kander. Outstanding Contribution to Photography.
The work of London-based artist Nadav Kander covers a wide variety of genres, from atmospheric landscapes to celebrity portraiture and the Awards recognize Kander for his versatile, powerful and thoughtful contribution to the medium.
Produced by the World Photography Organization, the Sony World Photography Awards are one of the world's largest and most prestigious photography competitions.
The 12th edition saw a record breaking 326,997 submissions by photographers from 195 countries and territories, presenting the world's finest contemporary photography captured over the past year.
Visit WPO's 2019 Professional Competition page to see galleries of the winning images.