The World Photography Organisation is pleased to announce the judging panel for the Sony World Photography Awards 2023. This year’s jury comprises a breadth of knowledge and expertise from varied photographic backgrounds and practices, including South African assistant curator Tandazani Dhlakama, who will be judging the Professional Competition.

This year’s awards will also feature exhibition elements and new prizes, such as launching a $5,000 prize supporting the United Nations’ environmental Sustainable Development Goals and a new solo presentation for the Photographer of the Year.

The Sony World Photography Awards 2023 exhibition returns to Somerset House, London, from 14 April – 1 May 2023. The 2022 exhibition continues to travel internationally, including the Awards’ first-ever presentations at the Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, California (8 October 2022 – 19 March 2023) and at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, UK (10 November – 11 December 2022).

Marking its 16th year, the Sony World Photography Awards are one of the world’s largest and most prestigious photography competitions, championing the best contemporary photography from across the world and providing participating photographers with important international exposure and career-building opportunities.

Sony supports the Awards to help with the continued development of photographic culture by offering a global platform to today’s talent. Entry to the Awards is completely free, and photographers are judged anonymously by a panel of industry-leading judges.

2023 JUDGES

Professional Competition

• Mariama Attah, Head of Exhibitions at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, UK
• Tandazani Dhlakama, Assistant Curator at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa
• Elisa Medde, Editor in Chief, FOAM Magazine, Netherlands
• Ioana Mello, Independent Curator and Photo Editor; Directing Member, FotoRio, Brazil
• Sujong Song, Independent Curator and Photo Editor; Co-Founder, Seoul Lunar Festival, Republic of Korea
• Mike Trow, Independent Curator and Photo Editor and Chair of the Jury 

Open and Youth Competition

Eric Schlosser, Art Director, Tbilisi Art Fair, Georgia

Student Competition

Eliza Williams, Editor, Creative Review, UK

NEW TO 2023

Sustainability Prize

This year the World Photography Organisation launches a brand-new prize recognising the stories, people and organisations whose actions highlight one of the United Nations’ environmental Sustainable Development Goals. These can include depictions of climate change, a spotlight on ecological technologies and innovations or a celebration of individuals and groups working to make a difference.

 

The Sustainability Prize rewards the winning photographer with a $5,000 cash prize and a presentation of their project as part of the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London. All photographers entering the Professional competition are eligible to win the prize.

Photographer of the Year Solo Presentation

In 2023 the World Photography Organisation introduces a new prize element for Photographer of the Year. In addition to the $25,000 cash prize, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book, the winner will also be rewarded with a solo presentation of their work as part of the Sony World Photography Awards London exhibition the following year. This opportunity allows photographers to further develop their winning project or exhibit a brand-new work, gaining them additional exposure and advancing their careers. The first of these presentations will be dedicated to the work of Photographer of the Year 2022 Adam Ferguson (Australia) and will take place at the exhibition in Somerset House in April 2023.

Youth Competition Format

The Sony World Photography Awards 2023 introduces a new format to the Youth competition, opening it to anyone under the age of 19 and inviting entrants to submit up to three images related to the theme Your Everyday. Judges will select a shortlist of 10 photographers who will go on to compete for the title of Youth Photographer of the Year.

2023 EXHIBITION DATES AND 2022 INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES

In 2023 the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition opens at Somerset House, London from 14 April – 1 May 2023.

Following the London exhibition and a subsequent presentation in Tokyo, the Sony World Photography Awards 2022 exhibition continues to travel to a variety of international venues:

• Lenzburg, Switzerland, Fotofestival Lenzburg, 27 August - 2 October 2022
• Milan, Italy, Fondazione Stelline, 14 September - 30 October 2022
• Buenos Aires, Argentina, artexarte, 27 September - 23 October 2022
• San Diego, US, Museum of Photographic Arts, 8 October 2022 - 19 March 2023
• Berlin, Germany, Willy-Brandt-Haus, 21 October 2022 - 15 January 2023
• Liverpool, UK, Open Eye, 10 November – 11 December 2022

Additional venue details are available on the World Photography Organisation website 

2023 PRIZES AND DEADLINES

The Sony World Photography Awards opened on 1 June 2022. Full competition and category descriptions can be found at worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards  

Deadlines across the Awards’ four competitions are:

Professional: 13 January 2023, 13:00 GMT

Open: 6 January 2023, 13:00 GMT

Student: 30 November 2022, 13:00 GMT

Youth: 6 January 2023, 13:00 GMT

All category winners of the Professional, Open, Youth and Student competitions will receive digital imaging equipment from Sony. In addition, cash prizes of $25,000 (USD) will be presented to the Photographer of the Year and $5,000 (USD) to the Open Photographer of the Year. All winning and shortlisted photographers’ works will be exhibited at the annual Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London and will then be toured internationally. The winning images will also be published in the annual Awards book. Overall winners will be announced on 13 April 2023.