While we count down until the overall winner announcement, Sony World Photography Awards has another treat for our eyes and souls. It has announced its category winners and shortlist of the 2022 Open competition, recognizing the best single shots from 2021.

With over 100 photographers shortlisted in addition to the ten category winners, this truly is a magnificent, inspiring gallery. So, let’s check them out and get our daily dose of photographic inspiration.

Over 170,000 images were entered to this year’s Open competition, so I believe the jury had a very difficult task selecting the winners. It will be even more difficult to choose the overall winner in April, but I’m really curious to see who it will be. It’s scheduled to happen on 12 April, so there’s a month left. As for the category winners, each of them has been awarded Sony gear and competes for the Open Photographer of the Year title and a $5,000 (USD) main prize.

Other than being displayed in online galleries, selected winning and shortlisted photos will be exhibited as part of the Sony World Photography Awards at Somerset House. The exhibition will take place from 13 April to 2 May 2022.

And now, I’ll let you enjoy this year’s selection of winners and shortlists. Since there are over 100 images in this marvelous gallery, I’ll only share some of my personal favorites so you don’t get lost in scrolling. But if you just can’t get enough, make sure to check out the entire gallery on World Photography Organization’s website.

Category winners

Shortlists selection