Now in its eighth year, the Sony World Photography Awards is nothing short of a phenomenon. It’s now the biggest photography competition in the world with over 173,000 entries throughout 2014, and so we decided to attend the awards ceremony in London to celebrate its most successful year yet.
The Morning
Our day starts at the Mondrian London at Sea Containers, a hotel situated adjacent to the River Thames. As the lift doors open on the 12th floor, we’re greeted with a view of the London skyline that is made dramatic by the dark sky overhead. It is here that we talk to Scott Gray - founder and CEO of the WPO - who praises Sony for their long-standing partnership. “Sony came on board when the awards were just a concept. That’s a remarkable leap of faith for a company of its size and stature.”
The view from the hotel balcony.
The Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA) is unique in its all-inclusive nature. With entry categories for photographers of all abilities SWPA has managed to sidestep the elitism that could deter beginners from taking the jump and entering the competition. Scott tells us the inspiring story of a 12-year-old American, Justin Lee, whose mum entered him into this year’s Youth award. “His photo got picked up and commended, which means he got to the top 50. He got the text from us which he picked up while he was at school and he was absolutely delighted, but what’s absolutely wonderful is that he’s now taken up a photography class [and] his local library is doing an exhibition of his work in the summer.
“This is a 12-year-old boy that, through the Sony World Photography Awards, has been opened up to culture, has been encouraged and is now thinking about where this can take him. That, for me, is as amazing and important as awarding Elliott Erwitt for Outstanding Contribution.”
Scott Gray talking to us on the hotel balcony.
The afternoon
After hearing the inspiring stories behind some of this year’s nominees, we took a trip across the river to see the photos for ourselves at this year’s Sony World Photography Awards exhibition. Somerset House provides the ideal setting and has done so since 2008; its architectural elegance matching the quality of the work inside. As we walk through the wooden-floored hallways and rooms we spot everything from hard-hitting photojournalism, beautiful scenes of nature and heartwarming portraiture.
The courtyard at Somerset House.
It’s here that we speak to Liza Van der Stock, a student at the University of Ghent who was awarded 3rd place in the Professional ‘people’ category. Her photos follow the lives of a family who make a living by filming pornographic movies. “It was very important to me that I portrayed them in their normal, daily lives and then their working lives, because I think that there are a lot of cliches or stigmas about people in the porn industry.
“When I came to know them, I saw that they were very normal people with normal relationships and a normal family life, and I think that's the thing I like the most about the documentary that you can see. It's the human face behind the kitsch and the fakeness of porn.”
Each photograph being exhibited is a highlight in its own right, and we advise people visiting to spend as much time as possible taking all of the work in.
Liza Van der Stock talking to exhibition attendees.
The evening
For just one night each year, the Hilton Park Lane is host to an exciting celebration of photography, with some of the world’s very best photographers all under one roof.
The first awards of the evening are handed to Yong Lin Tan and Svetlana Blagodareva - winners of the Youth and Student Focus categories and two young talents that we’re bound to see more of in the future. Then, we take a moment to look back on the inspiring career of Elliott Erwitt, the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography award. Although Elliott is unable to be in attendance, we’re still able to enjoy a heartwarming video dedicated to his work. His family and friends congratulate him on-screen, and every single one of them mention his unique sense of humour that is evident throughout his photographs.
A teaser of Elliott Erwitt’s work.
After a break in proceedings for the sumptuous three-course dinner, it’s time to announce the winners for each of the 13 Professional categories. Over the course of 45 minutes, photographers from Italy, Germany, Canada, China and beyond take to the stage, each of them elated as they stride back to their seats with a proud, firm grip on their trophy.
The last award of the evening is the Iris d’Or, the coveted prize given to the best photographer across all categories. This year’s deserved winner is John Moore, whose sobering photos of the Ebola crisis in Liberia also earn him first place in the ‘current affairs’ category. Moore, who has just come back from a week spent in Iraq documenting the rise of ISIS extremists, walks off stage with a look of sheer disbelief. “I covered one of the toughest things I’ve done in my career this last year, and I’m very honoured that the jury chose this particular body of work. I’m very grateful to the people of Liberia who allowed me to photograph in a very difficult situation.”
Iris d'Or winner John Moore talking to press after receiving his award.
Moore’s work on display at this year's SWPA exhibition.
And with that, the ceremony comes to an end. While people begin to leave their seats and John continues to be consumed by a wave of cameras and journalists, we get the chance to catch up with Jocelyn Bain Hogg, one of this year’s honorary judges. We end up talking about John’s winning photos. “This work reflected something that was horrific, but it reflected it with humanity,” he tells me. “When you’re on the judging panel and you look through thousands of pictures, when something is done with conviction, passion, humanity and heart, it jumps out at you.
“We’re judging a world award here. This is the Sony World Photography Awards; it’s not about pretty pictures. It’s got to be something that transcends that and means something. I think the whole panel accepted that.”
The ballroom is empty. As the house lights come up and the empty wine glasses are cleared away, the guests head to the after party next door where they continue drinking, pose for photos and give the award winners hefty pats on the back. It’s been another amazing 12 months for the Sony World Photography Awards, and we can’t wait to do it all again this time next year.
Submissions for the next Sony World Photography Awards competition will begin on June 1 2015. For more information and to submit your work, head to the World Photography Organisation website.
