The World Photography Organisation has officially opened entries for the 20th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards.
The Single Image competition, previously known as the Open competition, invites photographers from around the globe to submit their best standalone photographs across ten diverse categories, ranging from Architecture and Portraiture to Street Photography.
Funding and benefits
The overall winner of the Single Image competition will be awarded a $5,000 (USD) cash prize.
In addition to the monetary reward, the top photographer and individual category winners will receive a range of top-tier Sony Digital Imaging equipment to further their craft.
Beyond hardware and cash, successful entrants benefit from significant international exposure.
Winners receive flights and accommodation to attend the prestigious awards ceremony in London, and their work is featured in the annual Sony World Photography Awards book and a global exhibition.
Application requirements and eligibility
This competition is free to enter and is open to all members of the public.
While the standard entry allows for up to three images to be submitted for free, photographers wishing to enter more work have the option to purchase image bundles.
To be eligible, all submitted images must have been taken during the year 2026.
Entrants must be at least 16 years of age, or have obtained parental consent to participate, and must be the sole owner and author of each entry.
Technical specifications require that images be submitted as JPEG files between 1MB and 5MB in size, saved in the sRGB colour model.
The competition maintains strict ethical standards, specifically prohibiting the harm or distress of animals during the creation of any photograph.
Participants may use manipulation in their work, provided the extent of the changes is described during submission.
However, the organization specifies that all entries must originate from an analogue or digital photograph, as computer-generated content is strictly prohibited from serving as the primary source of an entry.
Deadline
The submission window for the Single Image competition will close promptly on January 5, 2027, at 13.00 GMT.
Following the deadline, judging will take place throughout January, with shortlists and category winners expected to be announced before April 2027.
To apply, visit The World Photography Organisation call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
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