News Current Events Striking Images Compete for Photo Awards Entries include marching flamingos, mating bugs, and a mountain sunset. By Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo Senior Writer University of Cincinnati Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Learn about our editorial process Updated October 4, 2021 05:32PM EDT Fact checked by Haley Mast Fact checked by Haley Mast Harvard University Extension School Haley Mast is a freelance writer, fact-checker, and small organic farmer in the Columbia River Gorge. She enjoys gardening, reporting on environmental topics, and spending her time outside snowboarding or foraging. Topics of expertise and interest include agriculture, conservation, ecology, and climate science. Learn about our fact checking process Kyle Minar / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards News Environment Business & Policy Science Animals Home & Design Current Events Treehugger Voices News Archive Marching flamingos, sunset behind the Tetons, a lone biker by the waterfront. These are some of the early eye-catching entries in this year's Sony World Photography Awards Open competition. Open to both established and emerging artists, the contest is now in its 15th year. It is presented by the World Photography Organisation and includes categories such as Natural World & Wildlife, Architecture, and Landscape. "Entries to the 2022 Open competition so far not only highlight the beauty of our world but celebrate the democratic nature of photography as it stands today," a spokesperson for the organization tells Treehugger. "From a flamboyance of flamingos to awe-inspiring landscapes, arresting portraits to dynamic scenes of the liveliest streets, the breadth of imagery is sure to delight and excite in equal measure." “Strut your Stuff," above, is an entry in the Natural World & Wildlife category. Photographer Kyle Minar of the United States describes the image: “The annual migration of the Great American Flamingo is nothing short of spectacular. This particular image was taken in late May during nesting season in Rio Lagartos, Mexico. The photograph was taken from a small boat in the middle of the Rio Lagartos Mangrove forest where many of the hatchlings catch their first breath.” The deadline for student entries is Nov. 30 while the Open contest will be accepting photos until Jan. 7 and professionals can submit until Jan. 14. Winners will be announced in spring and all winning and shortlisted works will be placed on exhibit at Somerset House, London in April 2022 for the awards' annual exhibition. The photos will later go on display in exhibits in Liverpool (U.K.), as well as in Switzerland, Germany, and France. "Although challenging, the last two years have highlighted the importance of the Awards in not just providing a valuable platform for rewards and opportunities but also in bringing together a global community which elevates and champions the extraordinary and creative work of contemporary photographers," Scott Gray, founder and CEO of the World Photography Organisation, said in a statement. Here’s a look at more of the entries in the Open competition in the 2022 Sony World Photography Awards and how the photographers describe their work. “Let Me See the World (Black and White)” Andi Abdul Halil / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Portraiture Andi Abdul Halil/Indonesia “This photo illustrates human resistance to the Covid-19 virus. Let me see the world is the spirit to return to the new normal era.” “Tetons” Jeff Bennett / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Landscape Jeff Bennett/United States “Sunset behind the Tetons." "Bugs" Vijay Paniselvum / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Natural World & Wildlife Vijay Paniselvum/Malaysia “I spotted an unusual moment when two bugs were mating.” "Alien Base" Jing Lin / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Architecture Jing Lin/China “When my friend and I came here, we found that it really looked like an alien base. But where are the aliens?” "Curly Pelican" Anton Bondarev / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Natural World & Wildlife Anton Bondarev/Russian Federation “Curly Pelican from Rostov-on-Don Zoo. Beautiful creature.” "The Biker" Marc Zetterblom / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Street Photography Marc Zetterblom/Sweden “A graphical image shot from a bridge capturing a lone biker by the waterfront.” "Dockyard Worker" Takrim Ahmed / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Lifestyle Takrim Ahmed/Bangladesh “Dockyard worker life.” Untitled Arifayan Taiwo / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Lifestyle Arifayan Taiwo/Nigeria “A boy navigates his boat through a foggy Epe lagoon amidst the mild evening waves that funnels into the famous Epe fish mart, the Oluwo market. Here, there are no nets to cast nor trawlers to drag, the artificial dam created by various sticks stuck strategically on the water creates a nursery and cage on the large body of water just like the ancient water surfers that founded the ancient floating town of Epe did circa 300 years ago.” “Mirror Mirror In The Locker Wall” Hardijanto Budyman / 2022 Sony World Photography Awards Creative Hardijanto Budyman/Indonesia “Human's mind is a Playground! A place where we can so much fun to play with our Imagination, our Ideas, our Inspirations and our Creativity!”