Sony World Photography Awards 2017: Winning photos

<strong>The 10 best photographs: </strong>Out of more than 105,000 entries, 10 outstanding photographs were selected as category winners in the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards' Open competition. German photographer Ralph Gräf's "Gassing Up At Roy's" was named the best travel shot. <br /><br />Copyright: © Ralph Gräf, Germany, 1st Place, Open, Travel, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

The 10 best photographs: Out of more than 105,000 entries, 10 outstanding photographs were selected as category winners in the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards' Open competition. German photographer Ralph Gräf's "Gassing Up At Roy's" was named the best travel shot.

Copyright: © Ralph Gräf, Germany, 1st Place, Open, Travel, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Ralph Gräf

Flamingos Soul: The best wildlife image was Alessandra Meniconzi's "Flamingos Soul," taken in Namibia. "I am not a wildlife photographer but when I saw the first time the flamingos on the shallow waters of Walvis Bay I really get crazy!," says the photographer.

© Alessandra Meniconzi, Switzerland, 1st Place, Open, Wildlife, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Alessandra Meniconzi

Submerged Field: Colombian photographer Camilo Diaz captured this moment during the European Junior Championship of Underwater Rugby in 2016. "The Colombian national team is immersed in white, gray, and black, fighting together for the ultimate position," says Diaz. "The volume of water suggests a calm while the surface gives constant chaos. It is in this scenario that the South American team is named youth world champion winners in Norway."
Copyright: © Camilo Diaz, Colombia, 1st Place, Open, Motion, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Camilo Diaz

Oculus: British photographer Tim Cornbill was awarded best architecture photo for this shot taken in Berlin. "Having just arrived in Berlin on a bright summer's day, my wife and I decided to take a morning walk along the River Spree. We soon came across a large concrete building, and I was immediately struck by its geometry and scale," says Cornbill.
Copyright: © Tim Cornbill, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Open, Architecture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Tim Cornbill

<strong>Halloween Protagonists: </strong>This reveler at last year's Halloween parade in New York City might not be the most original cosplayer, but he allowed Greek photographer Constantinos Sofikitis to take the best street photography picture at 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.<br />Copyright: © Constantinos Sofikitis, Greece, 1st Place, Open, Street Photography, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Halloween Protagonists: This reveler at last year's Halloween parade in New York City might not be the most original cosplayer, but he allowed Greek photographer Constantinos Sofikitis to take the best street photography picture at 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.
Copyright: © Constantinos Sofikitis, Greece, 1st Place, Open, Street Photography, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Constantinos Sofikitis

Borderline: Named the best nature photo this year, Japanese photographer Hiroshi Tanita describes his photo as "the boundary line between blue and white, ice and snow which appeared in the pond to which thin ice came into winter."
Copyright: © Hiroshi Tanita, Japan, 1st Place, Open, Nature, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Hiroshi Tanita

<strong>Tai Chi: </strong>A picture of more than 1,300 people practicing Taijiquan at a square in Wuhan City, China, was named best culture photograph. <br /><br />Copyright: © Jianguo Gong, China, 1st Place, Open, Culture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Tai Chi: A picture of more than 1,300 people practicing Taijiquan at a square in Wuhan City, China, was named best culture photograph.

Copyright: © Jianguo Gong, China, 1st Place, Open, Culture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Jianguo Gong

<strong>#3 Hearth: </strong>The Open competition's enhance category celebrates the best images that have been technically manipulated. Lise Johansson's "#3 Hearth" is part of a series that explore the notion of home. Johansson says, "The inspiration for the work came from the personal experience of returning to Denmark after many years of living abroad, realizing that I lost the warm sense of belonging I once used to have."<br />Copyright: © Lise Johansson, Denmark, 1st Place, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

#3 Hearth: The Open competition's enhance category celebrates the best images that have been technically manipulated. Lise Johansson's "#3 Hearth" is part of a series that explore the notion of home. Johansson says, "The inspiration for the work came from the personal experience of returning to Denmark after many years of living abroad, realizing that I lost the warm sense of belonging I once used to have."
Copyright: © Lise Johansson, Denmark, 1st Place, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Lise Johansson

Mathilda: Alexander Vinogradov's winning portrait photo was inspired by Mathilda, Natalie Portman's character in "Leon: The Professional."

Copyright: © Alexander Vinogradov, Russian Federation, 1st Place, Open, Portraits (Open), 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Alexander Vinogradov

<strong>Sunrise at Sea: </strong>"Not necessary to have money to travel by sea. Just use your imagination! Fabric and paper is all you need," says Sergey Dibtsev, winner of the competition's still life category.<br />Copyright: © Sergey Dibtsev, Russian Federation, 1st Place, Open, Still Life (open), 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Sunrise at Sea: "Not necessary to have money to travel by sea. Just use your imagination! Fabric and paper is all you need," says Sergey Dibtsev, winner of the competition's still life category.
Copyright: © Sergey Dibtsev, Russian Federation, 1st Place, Open, Still Life (open), 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Sergey Dibtsev

<strong>National Awards: </strong>A sub-category of the Open competition, the National Awards honors the best photographers from 66 countries participating in the competition. Nepal is one of the new participating countries this year. Ajay Maharjan's "The Believers," depicting<strong> </strong>a Nepalese Hindu youth during Krishna Janmashtami festival at Bhaktapur, Nepal, won third place (Nepal). <br />Copyright: © Ajay Maharjan, Nepal, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

National Awards: A sub-category of the Open competition, the National Awards honors the best photographers from 66 countries participating in the competition. Nepal is one of the new participating countries this year. Ajay Maharjan's "The Believers," depicting a Nepalese Hindu youth during Krishna Janmashtami festival at Bhaktapur, Nepal, won third place (Nepal).
Copyright: © Ajay Maharjan, Nepal, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Ajay Maharjan

Chestnut Avenue: Aleš Komovec took this picture during his first visit to South Moravia, Czech Republic. It was awarded third place (Slovenia). "I knew about this place from the internet -- it's one of the most photographed places in the area, but it was really a surprise for me, when, after a half night drive and two hours of sleep, I woke up on this location. The light, weather and everything was perfect that morning."Copyright: © Aleš Komovec, Slovenia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Aleš Komovec

<strong>Far From Gravity: </strong>This staged shot taken by Alex Andriesi was named the top photo in Romania this year. He describes the photo as his "cinematic dreams."<br />Copyright: © Alex Andriesi, Romania, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Far From Gravity: This staged shot taken by Alex Andriesi was named the top photo in Romania this year. He describes the photo as his "cinematic dreams."
Copyright: © Alex Andriesi, Romania, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Alex Andriesi/www.phenix-art.com/Alex Andriesi

Swirl, Kovitlanje: Petar Sabol took the top prize for Croatia when he captured this shot of a kingfisher flying out of the water with a fish in its beak.

Copyright: © Petar Sabol, Croatia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Petar Sabol

Happiness: Shabir Mian is the photographer behind this shot which took first prize for images submitted from Pakistan.

Copyright: © Shabir Mian , Pakistan, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Shabir Mian

<strong>Sleeping Beauty: </strong>"During a game drive in Lake Nakuru national park in September 2016 we noticed this lioness on a tree," says Deveni Nishantha Manjula, this year's best Sri Lankan photographer. <br />Copyright: © Deveni Nishantha Manjula, Sri Lanka, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Sleeping Beauty: "During a game drive in Lake Nakuru national park in September 2016 we noticed this lioness on a tree," says Deveni Nishantha Manjula, this year's best Sri Lankan photographer.
Copyright: © Deveni Nishantha Manjula, Sri Lanka, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Deveni Nishantha Manjula

<strong>Carry Together: </strong>"The boar is the greatest harvest in hunting, guns only hunted large animals, small animals with blowpipe hunting. That day, all the tribes will be celebrated because of the boar." This picture, which was awarded third place (Malaysia), was taken by Edwin Ong Wee Kee.<br /><br />Copyright: © Edwin Ong Wee Kee, Malaysia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Carry Together: "The boar is the greatest harvest in hunting, guns only hunted large animals, small animals with blowpipe hunting. That day, all the tribes will be celebrated because of the boar." This picture, which was awarded third place (Malaysia), was taken by Edwin Ong Wee Kee.

Copyright: © Edwin Ong Wee Kee, Malaysia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Edwin Ong Wee Kee

Light from Above: Peter Svoboda took top prize for Slovakia. Svoboda says his shot was taken "in September 2016 in Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy. Beautiful light and humidity stood behind the nice play of light and shadows that morning. I was waiting as the small church was illuminated by the very first rays of sun."

Copyright: © Peter Svoboda, Slovakia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Peter Svoboda

The Wanderer: A stroll on a foggy night can be rewarding. In this case, Hendrik Mändla went home with third place in the National Awards (Estonia).
Copyright: © Hendrik Mändla, Estonia, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Hendrik Mändla

<strong>The Glass Castle: </strong>This picture, which won third place in the National Awards (Russia), was taken in a modern residential complex in Moscow.<br />Copyright: © Ivan Turukhano, Russian Federation, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

The Glass Castle: This picture, which won third place in the National Awards (Russia), was taken in a modern residential complex in Moscow.
Copyright: © Ivan Turukhano, Russian Federation, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Ivan Turukhano

<strong>Maasai Morning Ritual: </strong>"In Magadi, which is in the southern part of Kenya's Great Rift Valley, Maasai Morans sometimes wake up in the morning to a cold beer before heading out to tend their cows near the lake. This is due to the long distance they must sometimes travel from where they live to where grass and water is. It's a sort of early "pick-me-up" to get the day rolling," says Joseph Were, who came third in the National Awards (Kenya).<br />Copyright: © Joseph Were, Kenya, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Maasai Morning Ritual: "In Magadi, which is in the southern part of Kenya's Great Rift Valley, Maasai Morans sometimes wake up in the morning to a cold beer before heading out to tend their cows near the lake. This is due to the long distance they must sometimes travel from where they live to where grass and water is. It's a sort of early "pick-me-up" to get the day rolling," says Joseph Were, who came third in the National Awards (Kenya).
Copyright: © Joseph Were, Kenya, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Joseph Were

Tabular Iceberg: Josselin Cornou came first in the National Awards (France) with this picture taken during an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. Cornou says, "On our way to the 66th parallel south, our boat was navigating in silence through 30 meters (100 feet) high tabular icebergs that were once part of the Larsen Ice Shelf. Those mesmerizing structures were displaying subzero icy corridors, forming a highly photogenic gargantuan maze."
Copyright: © Josselin Cornou, France, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Josselin Cornou

Fisherman: Khalid Alsabat of Saudi Arabia photographed this scene at sunrise when he was staying in Yangzhou, China. "The elderly Chinese fisherman in his traditional clothes pushed his bamboo boat into the water, carrying with him a fishing net, a light, and two cormorants," Alsabat says.
Copyright: © Khalid Alsabat, Saudi Arabia, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Khalid Alsabat

Singapore at Dawn: Lester Koh Meng Hua took first place for Singapore with this photo of Singaporean public housing.

Copyright: © Lester Koh Meng Hua, Singapore, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Lester Koh Meng Hua

Wanaka Tree: Linda Cutche of New Zealand tasked herself with a challenge to frame the famous tree in Lake Wanaka in a unique way. "Although this scene had been photographed by many, I was artistically challenged to take my own version. The idea was to go on an early morning venture and get a good spot before the sun rose, capturing the glory of an amazing sunrise showering the tree in a golden light."
Copyright: © Linda Cutche, New Zealand, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Linda Cutche

<strong>Howrah Bridge: </strong>This picture of a winter morning scene under Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, India, was selected as the champion shot in the National Awards (Bangladesh).<br /><br />Copyright: © Mohammad Amir Hamja, Bangladesh, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Howrah Bridge: This picture of a winter morning scene under Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, India, was selected as the champion shot in the National Awards (Bangladesh).

Copyright: © Mohammad Amir Hamja, Bangladesh, 1st Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Mohammad Amir Hamja

Local Train: Coming third in the Bangladesh category is this scene captured by Moin Ahmed at Tongi Railway Station.
Copyright: © Moin Ahmed, Bangladesh, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Moin Ahmed

Character: "This image was captured off the coast of the island chain of Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga," says Matt Lance Draper, who took third place in the New Zealand category. "Every year humpback whales migrate thousands of kilometers from the cold oceans in the south to the warm breeding waters in the tropical islands on the South Pacific."

Copyright: © Matt Lance Draper, New Zealand, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Matt Lance Draper

Synced: Nadia Aly of the United States took this photo of Gentoo penguins, hunting in the icy cool waters of Antarctica. It was the third best shot taken by an American photographer this year. "It's incredibly interesting to see how synchronized they are with their movements and breaths, as they glide throughout the ocean," says Aly.
Copyright: © Nadia Aly, United States of America, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Nadia Aly

CNN —

Visiting a gas station is usually an inconsequential part of a road trip.

But German photographer Ralph Graf’s stopover in Roy’s Café, a gas station and motel along Route 66 in California, (and his ability to transform the scene into an atmospheric painting-like photograph) has landed him the best travel photo award in the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards’ Open categories.

The awards’ Open competition handpicked the best single image for each of these 10 categories: architecture, culture, enhanced, motion, nature, portraits, still life, street photography, travel and wildlife.

Dubbed the world’s largest photography competition, Sony World Photography Awards has received more than 227,000 images from photographers from 183 countries this year, including more than 105,000 entries for the Open Competition alone.

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In addition to these categories, the best photographs taken by local photographers from 66 countries were also chosen and awarded the National Awards in the same competition.

The awards, now in its 10th year, is comprised of four competitions – Open, Professional, Youth and Student Focus.

All the winning shots from this year’s awards will be exhibited at Somerset House, London from April 21 to May 7, 2017.

READ: How to be a travel blogger: 7 pro tips

Sony World Photography Awards & Martin Parr - 2017 Exhibition, Somerset House, Strand, London; tickets at £7-11 ($9-14)