01 July 2012: The World Photography Organisation (WPO), organisers of the Sony World Photography Awards, announces the launch of four new translations of its website - www.worldphoto.org. In addition to the five current translations, the website will also be available in Japanese (jp.worldphoto.org), Chinese (cn.worldphoto.org), Korean (kr.worldphoto.org) and Taiwanese (tw.worldphoto.org). The launch is part of the WPO's ongoing efforts to make the awards and its photographic community more accessible to the growing number of photo enthusiasts across Asia.
Since its launch in 2007, the online presence of the World Photography Organisation and its awards has grown enormously. The number of unique users to the website has increased by over 650% and entries to the awards have increased by 60% - to date over 430,000 images from 178 countries have been submitted.
The Sony World Photography Awards have become the benchmark for good imagery and are promoted via the media and social networks worldwide. Entry to the 2013 competition is free and everyone, from novice photographers to seasoned pros, is encouraged to pick up their camera and showcase their best work.
The WPO website is at the forefront of the latest photography news and offers amateur, professional and student photographers easy entry to the annual Sony World Photography Awards. Users can share their thoughts and ideas on the website's community pages, be inspired by interviews and blogs from the world's leading photography experts and view and critique online galleries.
Scott Gray, Managing Director of the World Photography Organisation, comments:
"The Sony World Photography Awards is a global initiative for people with a passion for photography, it is therefore essential that we make it as accessible to as many people as possible through creating localised language sites.
"Photography in Asia is buoyant and there is such a strong passion for imagery in the region that we felt it only right to create Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese language sites to sit alongside the current English, Spanish, Italian, French and Russian sites. I sincerely hope that by creating these sites we can provide an opportunity to more photographers across Asia to engage with the global photographic community. The 2013 awards are now open for entries and I encourage everyone to enter, whatever their experience."
The Sony World Photography Awards uncovers and celebrates the very best in international contemporary photography. Winning or being shortlisted at the awards can bring worldwide recognition and exposure to both its amateur and professional photographers.
Amateur photographer Andrew Scriven was shortlisted in 2009 and comments:
"Being shortlisted has totally changed my life. I quit my day job and travelled the world to pursue my dream to take photographs, so being recognised in this way is by far my biggest achievement to date. I am hopeful the journey will not stop here and I am looking forward to developing upon this success in the future."
Acclaimed German photographer Peter Franck, multiple winner at the Sony World Photography Awards, adds:
"The awards has brought huge international attention to my work and, as a result, I have had many articles about my work in the world's most important photography magazines. They also offer important contact with the leading figures of the international photo scene.
"Being able to enter into the awards via the website makes it very simple for everyone to take part. However, for me, the most important argument to participate is the composition of the top class jury members and having the chance to have your work seen by the world's best photo agencies and photographers."
Past judges have included Tom Stoddart, one of the world's most respected photojournalists. Tom comments:
"Since the Sony World Photography Awards were introduced in 2007 they have steadily grown in importance for both industry professionals and the millions of amateurs who are passionate about shooting pictures. The awards provide a great opportunity for talented photographers from all corners of the globe to share their finest images with a wider audience and perhaps enjoy the accolade of winning a major prize in this most prestigious competition."
The 2013 awards opened for entries on 1 June 2012 and all competitions will close on 4 January 2013, with the exception of the Professional competition which will close on 9 January 2013. Entries will be judged anonymously by a panel of prestigious photography professionals from the World Photographic Academy. The shortlist will be announced in February and the winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony in London in April 2013.
The winner of the L'Iris d'Or Sony World Photography Awards Professional Photographer of the Year title will be presented with $25,000 (USD) and the Open Photographer of the Year will receive $5,000 (USD). All winners, including category winners, will receive the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony. The Student Focus winner will receive €40,000 (Euros) worth of digital imaging equipment from Sony for their university.
All winners, plus many shortlisted photographers, will receive an exhibition of their work at London's spectacular Somerset House from April – May 2013. The exhibition is part of World Photo London, WPO's month-long celebration of photography and moving image, which returns to Somerset House for the third consecutive year. The WPO will also feature the winning work across its website, through international exhibitions and inside the annual Sony World Photography Awards hardcover book.
To enter the Sony World Photography Awards and for further information about the World Photography Organisation please go to www.worldphoto.org.
