2012 Sony World Photography Awards

A selection of some of the strongest images from the professional and open shortlist for the 2012 Sony World Photography awards.

Flower by Alexandr Afonin, a winner in the open shortlist – enhanced category.

Car poolers by Alejandro Cartagena, a winner in the professional shortlist – people category.

A mother feeding her young in a nest made inside a wood recovery by Giovanni Frescura, a winner in the open shortlist – nature and wildlife category.

Life in the exclusion zone by Donald Weber, a winner in the professional shortlist – current affairs category.

Death row prisoners’ last meals by Helen Grace Ventura Thompson, a winner in the professional shortlist – still life category.

Marked for life by Laura Pannack, a winner in the professional shortlist – campaign category.

S’Ardia by Mattia Vacca, a winner in the professional shortlist – arts and culture category.

Symphony of fire by Natalia Belentsova, a winner in the open shortlist – low light category.

Loi-kra-tong festival in Thailand by Pansiri Pikunkaew, from the open shortlist – low light category.

Waiting room by Paul Irving, a winner in the open shortlist – enhanced category.

A boy is looking after his younger brother in a traditional playing swing chair in northern Xinjiang, China by Ricky Alexander, one of the winners in the open shortlist – smile category.

Moving forward, stand still by Rona Chang, a winner in the professional shortlist – landscape, category.

Dragon boat race by Samuel Chan, a winner in the open shortlist – split second category.

Untitled by Victoria Bolshemennik, a winner in the open shortlist – people category.

Shall we dance by Chan Kwok Hung, a winner in the open shortlist – nature and wildlife category.