Sony World Photography Awards: 2021 National Awards Winners

The World Photography Organisation is delighted to reveal the National Awards winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021.

The National Awards program is an initiative set up by the World Photography Organisation and Sony to support local photographic communities around the world, with 51 countries taking part this year.

Over 330,000 images from 220 territories were submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards 2021 and over 165,000 were entered to the Open competition (from which the National Awards winner was selected).

The overall winners in the Student, Youth, Open and Professional competition of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021 will be announced on the 15 April 2021 via the World Photography Organisation's digital and video platforms.

Post-Lockdown Cigarette, in the Cold Rain of June © Lauriane Bieber, France, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

This photograph is a story of first times. The first time I shot my dear friend Léo, that I only had met once in my life about ten years ago. The first time I went outside after three months. The first friend I met after the lockdown. The first time I worked with a model so brave and so dedicated to art and creation. The first time I felt how much photography was important to me.

The Last Winter © Yukihito Ono, Japan, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Photographed in Fukushima, Japan, this train – known as Ki-Ha 40 – was retired from the Tadami Line on 11 March, 2020

Battlefield © Yu-Liang Chueh, Taiwan, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

For the people of Taitung in Taiwan, the Bombing of Master Handan is the highlight of the annual Lantern Festival; it’s a cultural ritual I attend every year. While most spectators concentrated on the sedan chair, I noticed the firecracker thrower below, with the scene looking just like a battlefield.

Julian Alps © Aljaž Žnidaršič Slovenia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

My friend and I were on our first climb of the winter. We’d hoped to ascend three mountains on the same ridge, but because of the conditions, we had to turn back before the final peak. This image expresses the struggle we faced in deciding whether to turn round or continue.

Foggy Farming © Thoedoros Apeiranthitis, Greece, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

At 1,003m, Mount Zas (or Zeus) dominates the Greek island of Naxos. One day in early April, I decided to make my way to the top. By the time I was halfway up, the fog had become so dense it completely obscured the base of the mountain, making me feel as if I was flying. I noticed a small herd of sheep grazing peacefully in this strange environment. I took a shot before moving on and becoming lost in the fog.

Foggy Morning Fishing © Min Min Zaw, Myanmar, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

his scene shows a father and son catching fish early one winter morning. In Myanmar, children work with their parents to bring in an income for the whole family.

Oydis and Gunnar © Wieringa Hildebrand, Norway, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Last picture from a personal shoot this October. 2020 feels like we're all just bumping our heads against a big wall together.

Hourglass © Patrick Mueller, United States of America, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

A snaking dune in Death Valley meets the saddle of the surrounding mountains.