These are 2021’s best national photographs from around the world, according to The World Photography Organisation

I took this picture from the Salève, a mountain near Geneva. I was coming home from work when I saw the storm, so got out to take some pictures." / Raphael Barbar, Switzerland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

The World Photography Organisation has selected 51 winners of the Sony World Photography Awards in the National Awards category

A picture is often worth more than a thousand words. The art of photography is a unique discipline that gives us the opportunity to pause the world around us in a touching moment. 

To celebrate the craft to the bone, The World Photography Organisation annually selects the best pictures in various categories of the Sony World Photography contest.

And now, the organization has revealed the winning pictures in the category of National Award.

The jury selected 51 best pictures from 50 different countries on Earth.

The aim of the initiative is to support local photographic communities in different corners of the world. 

Overall, the jury has to select the winning photographs from over 330,000 images from 220 territories which were submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards 2021.

Over 165,000 were entered to the Open competition (from which the National Awards winner was selected).

Sony World Photography Awards will announce the overall winners in Student, Youth, Open and Professional competition on April 15 World Photography Organisation’s digital and video platforms.

These are the winners of the National Awards of the Sony World Photography Awards for 2021

Patrick Mueller: Hourglass

A snaking dune in Death Valley meets the saddle of the surrounding mountains / Patrick Mueller, United States of America, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Tuan Nguyen Quang, Vietnam: Waiting

"This photograph was taken in Ha Giang, Vietnam. I went into a house in the village and asked permission to take pictures there." / Tuan Nguyen Quang, Vietnam, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"This photograph was taken in Ha Giang, Vietnam. I went into a house in the village and asked permission to take pictures there." / Tuan Nguyen Quang, Vietnam, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Mireia Vilaplana, Spain: Masquerade III

"This image is part of a series shot during the 2020 lockdown. Called 'Masquerade, a visual exploration of our true selves', it aims to explore photography’s particular ability to describe a historical moment in a conceptual form. Each photograph encourages the viewer to question the way in which we reveal ourselves to others. Has society turned into one big masquerade ball?"/Mireia Vilaplana, Spain, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"This image is part of a series shot during the 2020 lockdown. Called 'Masquerade, a visual exploration of our true selves', it aims to explore photography’s particular ability to describe a historical moment in a conceptual form. Each photograph encourages the viewer to question the way in which we reveal ourselves to others. Has society turned into one big masquerade ball?"/Mireia Vilaplana, Spain, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Chia Jung Chou, Taiwan: Girl in Sunshine

New Taipei Metropolitan Park / Chia Jung Chou, Taiwan, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Saowanee Suntararak, Thailand: Autumn Float

Autumn season at Lake Kawaguchi in Japan.Mount Fuji with autumn leaves is very popular in the photographers, and I love taking photo in this season,too / Saowanee Suntararak, Thailand, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Autumn season at Lake Kawaguchi in Japan.Mount Fuji with autumn leaves is very popular in the photographers, and I love taking photo in this season,too / Saowanee Suntararak, Thailand, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Hui Pin Lai, Taiwan: Fluorescent Tiger

"The tiger is an important symbol in Taiwanese culture. Here, I used fluorescent paint to depict its essence"/ Hui Pin Lai, Taiwan, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"The tiger is an important symbol in Taiwanese culture. Here, I used fluorescent paint to depict its essence"/ Hui Pin Lai, Taiwan, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Mehmet Aslan, Turkey: Astroturf

The pandemic has affected everyone. Since places of worship are closed, these men pray on the Astroturf pitch, while adhering to social distancing / Mehmet Aslan, Turkey, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Yu-Liang Chueh, Taiwan: Battlefield

For the people of Taitung in Taiwan, the Bombing of Master Handan is the highlight of the annual Lantern Festival; it’s a cultural ritual I attend every year. While most spectators concentrated on the sedan chair, I noticed the firecracker thrower below, with the scene looking just like a battlefield/ Yu-Liang Chueh , Taiwan, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Raphael Barbar, Switzerland: Geneva Under Thunder

I took this picture from the Salève, a mountain near Geneva. I was coming home from work when I saw the storm, so got out to take some pictures." / Raphael Barbar, Switzerland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
I took this picture from the Salève, a mountain near Geneva. I was coming home from work when I saw the storm, so got out to take some pictures." / Raphael Barbar, Switzerland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Aljaž Žnidaršič, Slovenia: Julian Alps

"My friend and I were on our first climb of the winter. We’d hoped to ascend three mountains on the same ridge, but because of the conditions, we had to turn back before the final peak. This image expresses the struggle we faced in deciding whether to turn round or continue." / Aljaž Žnidaršič, Slovenia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"My friend and I were on our first climb of the winter. We’d hoped to ascend three mountains on the same ridge, but because of the conditions, we had to turn back before the final peak. This image expresses the struggle we faced in deciding whether to turn round or continue." / Aljaž Žnidaršič, Slovenia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Isira Sooriyaarachchi, Sri Lanka: Hustle for Survival

"On a weekday in August, while I was wandering along Main Street, Colombo, this man caught my attention among the crowds of people and busy traffic. I crossed to the middle of the road and pulled out my phone to capture the life of a worker doing his best to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic." / Isira Sooriyaarachchi, Sri Lanka, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"On a weekday in August, while I was wandering along Main Street, Colombo, this man caught my attention among the crowds of people and busy traffic. I crossed to the middle of the road and pulled out my phone to capture the life of a worker doing his best to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic." / Isira Sooriyaarachchi, Sri Lanka, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Azelda Olivier, South Africa: Colour Theory

This photograph was taken for a project on colour theory; the objective of this photograph was to use a warm colour palette. My aim was to explore colour further by considering its socially constructed meaning. Pink is a colour that is often associated with femininity, and through this image, I aimed to blur the lines between gender stereotypes such as this / Azelda Olivier, South Africa, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Shai Apeloig, Sweden: An Iron Balloon’s Dream

"Inspired by the expressionist movement, I tried to convey a subjective experience with this image, rather than an objective reality. The image was created by taking individual shots of an oxidised iron structure and recomposing them later into a balloon-like image. During production, I gradually rediscovered and recreated the composition." / Shai Apeloig, Sweden, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"Inspired by the expressionist movement, I tried to convey a subjective experience with this image, rather than an objective reality. The image was created by taking individual shots of an oxidised iron structure and recomposing them later into a balloon-like image. During production, I gradually rediscovered and recreated the composition." / Shai Apeloig, Sweden, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Peter Svoboda, Slovakia: On His Own Path

"A lone cross-country skier ascends a hill. I wanted to capture a minimal winter image that had symbolism and suggested a parallel with human life." / Peter Svoboda, Slovakia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Evgeniy Ivanov, Russian Federation: Silently in the Mountains

A home, immersed in complete silence, and forgotten about until spring. / Evgeniy Ivanov, Russian Federation, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
A home, immersed in complete silence, and forgotten about until spring. / Evgeniy Ivanov, Russian Federation, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Naif Albugami, Saudi Arabia: Hard Life

2020 covid-19 pandemic Saudi Arabia This photo was taken to convey a feeling of despair and everything that we have in life has stopped due to the pandemic / Naif Albugami, Saudi Arabia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Wong Chek Poh, Singapore: Turn 1 2 3 4 5

A panoramic view of unused taxis parked on the rooftop of this building reveals something of the dire economic situation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the success of several vaccine programmes, it will take a long time for lives to return to pre-Covid days / Wong Chek Poh, Singapore, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
A panoramic view of unused taxis parked on the rooftop of this building reveals something of the dire economic situation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the success of several vaccine programmes, it will take a long time for lives to return to pre-Covid days / Wong Chek Poh, Singapore, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Vladimir Zivojinovic, Serbia: Serbia’s Red Gold Pepper Harvest

An elderly woman prepares threads of red paprika in Donja Lokosnica, Serbia. In this village in a valley in South Morava, some 250 of the 280 households are involved in the growing of pepper – although depopulation means this number is in decline. Around 500 tons of ground pepper is produced in a 250-hectare area / Vladimir Zivojinovic, Serbia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Ila Al-Mushaifri, Oman: Museum Of Islamic Art

This Museum of Islamic Art has rapidly become an iconic feature of the Doha landscape. Standing alone on reclaimed land, the building draws a great deal of influence from ancient Islamic architecture, most notably the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei, the museum comprises a main building with an adjacent education wing connected by a large central courtyard. The main building is five storeys high, and is topped by a domed atrium within a central tower. The cream-coloured limestone captures the changes in light and shade during the day / Ila Al-Mushaifri

Cristina Venedict, Romania: Solitude

The model in this photograph is a young actress by the name of Cezara Munteanu. The picture was taken in my studio in Botosani, Romania, in 2020, a year full of many emotions and inner uncertainties / Cristina Venedict, Romania, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Kamila J. Gruss, Poland: The Moon Girl

The Moon Girl or the dark side of social media where everyone seems to be happy / Kamila J. Gruss, Poland, Winner, National Awards, Sony World Photography Awards 2021

 

Donell Gumiran, Philippines:  Looking for Water

In Ethiopia's South Omo, the tribes who live in the valley depend on the Omo River for survival. Sixty-two million Ethiopians lack access to safe water. This is everyday life for them / Donell Gumiran, Philippines, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
In Ethiopia's South Omo, the tribes who live in the valley depend on the Omo River for survival. Sixty-two million Ethiopians lack access to safe water. This is everyday life for them / Donell Gumiran, Philippines, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Prajwal Bhattarai, Nepal: Ramaroshan, Achham, Nepal.

Volleyball is the national sport of Nepal, and is particularly popular in the higher mountains. This entrance through the stone wall leads to a public-school compound where villagers play volleyball once classes have finished. When I made this image, the ground was engulfed with fog, silhouetting the volleyball-playing men / Prajwal Bhattarai, Nepal, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Yoganathan Yoke, Malaysia: Long-tailed Macaque

This photograph of a long-tailed macaque, also known as the crab-eating macaque, was taken in the mangrove forest of Kuala Gula, Perak. I went there one evening, hoping to photograph birds or snakes, when I saw a group of macaques foraging in the mud for their last meal of the day. A ray of light from the sunset fell on this macaque just as it looked up. I felt it looked like a gesture of hope for the future ú Yoganathan Yoke, Malaysia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Murray Chant, New Zealand: Wrong Place Wrong Time

This piece of ice had rolled around in the shallows until it assumed a worn and organic form. I photographed it at dusk and lit it from below / Murray Chant, New Zealander, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Brian Mena Laureano, Mexico: First Breath

Sunrise on the slopes of the Popocatépetl volcano ú Brian Mena Laureano, Mexico, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Sunrise on the slopes of the Popocatépetl volcano ú Brian Mena Laureano, Mexico, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Min Min Zaw, Myanmar: Foggy Morning Fishing

This scene shows a father and son catching fish early one winter morning. In Myanmar, children work with their parents to bring in an income for the whole family / Min Min Zaw, Myanmar, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

S. Muramatsu, Japan: Fertility

This picture aims to represent fertility, with floating clouds, wheat fields, snow fields and the earth / S. Muramatsu, Japan, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Hiroki Nose, Japan: Autumn Snake

This is an aerial photograph of a mountain road in Hakone, Japan. The path, when seen from the sky, looked like a snake. Photographed in autumn, the leaves of the coloured trees were extremely beautiful / Hiroki Nose, Japan, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
This is an aerial photograph of a mountain road in Hakone, Japan. The path, when seen from the sky, looked like a snake. Photographed in autumn, the leaves of the coloured trees were extremely beautiful / Hiroki Nose, Japan, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Janis Palulis, Latvia: Glowing Mushroom

Light painting one evening in a Latvian forest / Janis Palulis, Latvia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Simas Bernotas, Lithuania: Traditional Crafts: Portrait of a Toymaker

Ancient crafts are imbued with the wisdom of previous generations, with each nation having its own tales and myths about them. For this series, I captured Lithuanian crafters with a mystical spirit in an attempt to show them as devoted caretakers of declining traditions. This image is one of many from that project / Simas Bernotas, Lithuania, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Ancient crafts are imbued with the wisdom of previous generations, with each nation having its own tales and myths about them. For this series, I captured Lithuanian crafters with a mystical spirit in an attempt to show them as devoted caretakers of declining traditions. This image is one of many from that project / Simas Bernotas, Lithuania, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Viktor Einar Vilhelmsson, Iceland: Vestrahorn

Vestrahorn is a beautiful mountain that appears almost to rise out of the sea. The scenery that blends in with it makes an impressive sight / Viktor Einar Vilhelmsson, Iceland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Vestrahorn is a beautiful mountain that appears almost to rise out of the sea. The scenery that blends in with it makes an impressive sight / Viktor Einar Vilhelmsson, Iceland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Hardijanto Budyman, Indonesia: Poems For Sisters

You are angels in disguise

Side by side or miles apart

Sisters will always be connected by the heart

/ Hardijanto Budyman, Indonesia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Davide Giannetti, Italy: Fox Portrait

Following a hard rainfall in the National Park of Abruzzo, I spotted this wild red fox looking for food / Davide Giannetti, Italy, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Following a hard rainfall in the National Park of Abruzzo, I spotted this wild red fox looking for food / Davide Giannetti, Italy, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Shreejit Borthakur, India: Water Buffalo

A beast from the forests of northeastern India / Shreejit Borthakur, India, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Yukihito Ono, Japan: The Last Winter

 

Thoedoros Apeiranthitis, Greece: Foggy Farming

At 1,003m, Mount Zas (or Zeus) dominates the Greek island of Naxos. One day in early April, I decided to make my way to the top. By the time I was halfway up, the fog had become so dense it completely obscured the base of the mountain, making me feel as if I was flying. I noticed a small herd of sheep grazing peacefully in this strange environment. I took a shot before moving on and becoming lost in the fog / Thoedoros Apeiranthitis, Greece, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Matti Virtanen, Finland: Night

I may not have managed to capture any meteors during the Perseids of 2020, but I did get this night shot, which is full of wonder. The exposure was 30 seconds long, and shot at ISO 4000, using a tripod / Matti Virtanen, Finland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
I may not have managed to capture any meteors during the Perseids of 2020, but I did get this night shot, which is full of wonder. The exposure was 30 seconds long, and shot at ISO 4000, using a tripod / Matti Virtanen, Finland, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Höije Nuuter, Estonia: Back to beginning III

The ball in this image was originally a Christmas decoration. I couldn’t find a pure matte-white ball in the shops, so I painted one instead, then took a series of images in a quarry, and made a composite of them in Photoshop / Höije Nuuter, Estonia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
The ball in this image was originally a Christmas decoration. I couldn’t find a pure matte-white ball in the shops, so I painted one instead, then took a series of images in a quarry, and made a composite of them in Photoshop / Höije Nuuter, Estonia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Astrid Susanna Schulz, Germany: Moving Portrait

This image is part of my series, ‘Moving Portraits’, in which I experiment with long exposures of between one and two seconds, and flash. I love these surreal portraits that capture different emotions. They are lightly edited in post-production / Moving Portrait
This image is part of my series, ‘Moving Portraits’, in which I experiment with long exposures of between one and two seconds, and flash. I love these surreal portraits that capture different emotions. They are lightly edited in post-production / Moving Portrait

Krisztina Kovács, Hungary: Street Workout

A well deserved rest on a colourful street workout field after a couple of activ hours taken from the air / Krisztina Kovács, Hungary, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Sussi Charlotte Alminde, Denmark: The Dance

I will not have you without the darkness that hides within you. I will not let you have me without the madness that makes me. If our demons cannot dance, neither can we. Poem by Nikita Gill / Sussi Charlotte Alminde, Denmark, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Tomislav Veic, Croatia: Driving Through the Ice Forest

"After the first snowfall towards the end of 2020, I took my camera to the largest old-growth forest in Croatia. This road runs through it." / Tomislav Veic, Croatia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"After the first snowfall towards the end of 2020, I took my camera to the largest old-growth forest in Croatia. This road runs through it." / Tomislav Veic, Croatia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Ramón Rodriguez, Chile: Sanhattan 

Santiago’s financial district is known as Sanhattan – a term coined in 1995 by the editor of newspaper La Nación, when he compared the high-rise developments in the neighbourhood of El Golf with those of Manhattan. Over time, the term made its way into common parlance / Ramón Rodriguez, Chile, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Santiago’s financial district is known as Sanhattan – a term coined in 1995 by the editor of newspaper La Nación, when he compared the high-rise developments in the neighbourhood of El Golf with those of Manhattan. Over time, the term made its way into common parlance / Ramón Rodriguez, Chile, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Abdelhamid Fawzy Tahoun, Egypt: The Mevlevi Dancer

Tanoura is an Egyptian dance, performed in circular motions, which has its spiritual origins in Sufism. Its performers believe that all movement in the universe starts and ends at the same point, so this is reflected in the dance, with the continuous spinning making them appear like planets moving in space / Abdelhamid Fawzy Tahoun, Egypt, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Tanoura is an Egyptian dance, performed in circular motions, which has its spiritual origins in Sufism. Its performers believe that all movement in the universe starts and ends at the same point, so this is reflected in the dance, with the continuous spinning making them appear like planets moving in space / Abdelhamid Fawzy Tahoun, Egypt, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Zdeněk Vošický, Czechia: Light Athletics

An aerial photograph of the sports complex in Nové Město na Moravě / Zdeněk Vošický, Czech Republic, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Eniz Karadzha, Bulgaria: Extraterrestrial Earth – Mars 

This dam is usually full, but had dried up. Scenes such as this show the effects of climate change are becoming more obvious. After a couple of weeks spent studying the angle of the sun, not to mention a bit of luck, I managed to take the image I’d hoped for / Eniz Karadzha, Bulgaria, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
This dam is usually full, but had dried up. Scenes such as this show the effects of climate change are becoming more obvious. After a couple of weeks spent studying the angle of the sun, not to mention a bit of luck, I managed to take the image I’d hoped for / Eniz Karadzha, Bulgaria, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Sabbir Hossen, Bangladesh: Her Name is Chandi

A portrait of a child working in a paddy field. She works alongside her parents as it allows her to continue her studies. Her passion was inspiring / Sabbir Hossen, Bangladesh, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
A portrait of a child working in a paddy field. She works alongside her parents as it allows her to continue her studies. Her passion was inspiring / Sabbir Hossen, Bangladesh, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Sean Channal, Cambodia: I Miss You

This used to be the place where an audience would relieve their stresses and share their excitement, but since the Covid-19 outbreak, everything has changed. The theatre is now silent and lonely. One day, I hope, things will return to normality / Sean Channal, Cambodia, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Dante Mogni, Argentina: Luciano

A man rests naked in a Buenos Aires hotel room, serving his quarantine. They were difficult weeks of loss, but he was in such a state of peace... as if it were all just a bad dream / Dante Mogni, Argentina, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Michaela Steiner, Austria: Horse Against Black Background

"I photographed this beautiful horse in the entrance to its stable, using only natural light and a black background." / Michaela Steiner, Austria, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
"I photographed this beautiful horse in the entrance to its stable, using only natural light and a black background." / Michaela Steiner, Austria, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Lauriane Bieber, France: Post-Lockdown Cigarette, in the Cold Rain of June

This photograph is a story of first times. The first time I shot my dear friend Léo, that I only had met once in my life about ten years ago. The first time I went outside after three months. The first friend I met after the lockdown. The first time I worked with a model so brave and so dedicated to art and creation. The first time I felt how much photography was important to me / Lauriane Bieber, France, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
This photograph is a story of first times. The first time I shot my dear friend Léo, that I only had met once in my life about ten years ago. The first time I went outside after three months. The first friend I met after the lockdown. The first time I worked with a model so brave and so dedicated to art and creation. The first time I felt how much photography was important to me / Lauriane Bieber, France, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

Naser Alomari, Kuwait: The Queen

This photo was taken in Kuwait. I use Mavic air 2 for this photo. It is hard to choose motion technique specially with drone, After many shots am happy with this result / Naser Alomari, Kuwait, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
This photo was taken in Kuwait. I use Mavic air 2 for this photo. It is hard to choose motion technique specially with drone, After many shots am happy with this result / Naser Alomari, Kuwait, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Emil Wieringa Hildebrand, Norway: Oydis and Gunnar

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