Sony’s annual photography awards are always a superb excuse to drink in some absolutely unbelievable photographs, spanning all sorts of categories and subject matters, and the 2020 shortlist is no exception to that rule.
That list of contenders was recently unveiled for the Open category of the awards, which is the section that’s open to all comers and entrants. The winners won’t be unveiled until early June, but until then we’ve got plenty of time to enjoy browsing the amazing selection of photos.
Clean lines
There’s something hugely satisfying about the lines of colour and texture in this wintery photograph, with the various strata of the building drawing the eye differently, while the two shuttered windows actually look much like a pair of heavy-lidded eyes themselves.
The division between metropolis and green space is rarely as clear and obvious as in this aerial picture taken in Guangzhou, China. The clustered, crowded buildings are mirrored by the overgrowth of the trees and plants, with that clear dividing road between the two.
Bridge to nowhere
This cove in Newfoundland has countless fishing baskets waiting to be used on a pier, piled up in their multitudes. The prominence of timber in the construction of the pier makes this photo have an almost historical feeling to it.
It’s almost inconceivable to us that this is a photograph, not a painting, so gorgeous and smooth is the imagery. There’s no overbearing sharpness or clarity here, just superb colour and a wonderfully chosen point of view.
Land to sea
This Icelandic vista has a mind-blowing range of colours and textures to take in, as water runs out to sea over various types of rock and silt, taking on peculiar and memorable tones as it does so. The ripples on the surface of the water in the middle of the frame are extremely pleasing, too.
This rower’s pose, fashion and hairstyle all combine to make her seem somehow out of time - it’s credible that this photo could have been taken in any of the last multiple decades, we’d argue. It’s a superb portrait capturing her taking a breath as she works.
This looks like a nice, simple exploration of light and darkness until you look more closely through the car’s windows and see that there’s far more to interpret. What are those otherworldly lights? What’s going on inside the car? All these are up to your imagination.
Silhouettes
The historical techniques used to take this photo shine through in the soft, monochromatic look of it. The contrast between the far cow, viewed from the side, and its closer friend looking directly into the lens, is nice, while the seascape in the distance is enigmatic.
Jubilation
This action shot from the Palkhi Festival in Pandharpur, India, is bustling with energy and happiness, the sole drummer rising above the crowd to steal your focus while the foregrounded clapping hands frame the entire shot.
The setting sun provides gorgeous lighting for this motion-capturing shot of a boat being piloted with a bit of fun in mind, and the endlessly random ripples and eddies it leaves in its wake are eye-catching.
