Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London 27 April – 20 May 2012

Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition

Somerset House, London

The vast showcase of winning images from the Sony World Photography Awards 2012 comes to London’s Somerset House from 27 April – 20 May 2012 as part of the photography festival, World Photo, London. The already announced 2012 shortlist and category winners are a sure indication that this year’s exhibition is set to be as remarkable as ever, bringing together a fantastic collection of colours and scenes, skilfully captured by some of the world’s most talented photographers.

The Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition presents the best of over 112,000 entries into the 2012 competition, from professionals to students from 171 countries across the globe. Curated by Michael Benson and the Candlestar team, and set in the stunning Embankment Galleries, the exhibition offers visitors an extraordinary range of contemporary photography covering a wide range of subjects from photojournalism and documentary to fashion, nature, architecture and sport.

Michael Benson comments: ‘The aim of the curatorial team has been to inform and inspire our audience and to celebrate the work of the outstanding photographers who have won awards.  The result is a veritable box of delights in which a series of specific awards – be they for photography books, moving image, youth and student work plus images made by gifted amateurs – are grouped around a golden core that runs from L’Iris d’Or through to a celebration of the Outstanding Contribution of the great American photographer William Klein, by way of an exceptional selection of photographs by some of today’s leading professionals.’

A particular highlight of the show includes the winning images of L’Iris d’Or the Sony World Photography Awards Professional Photographer of the Year as well as an intimate exhibition of hand chosen images from the world renowned photographer and film maker William Klein, this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award.  Both these coveted prizes will be awarded at the Sony World Photography Awards Gala Ceremony, taking place at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel, which this year is hosted by the esteemed photographic consultant and 2012 chair of judges W.M. Hunt.

The Sony World Photography Awards exhibition is only one part of the World Photo London festival, billed as the global photographic event of the year. World Photo London will include a wide-ranging programme of events, talks, seminars, exhibitions, workshops in book design, street photography and other hands on practices. Highlights include tours of the exhibition with the awards winners, a special presentation by the Honorary Judges, a Business of Photography Seminar and networking cocktail and portfolio reviews. There is an event for anyone who enjoys photography, whether a culture buff or a practicing enthusiast and many events are completely free to attend.

The exhibition will also feature:

• A photographic depiction of cities across the world, through WPO’s exciting new City Projects – an international workshop programme for photographers of all levels carried out on the city streets resulting in a multicultural photographic showcase of people and places across the world.  The workshops have already visited New York, Chicago and São Paulo, with the London City Project taking place Friday 27 April to Sunday 29April 2012 at Somerset House.
• An illustration of London, photographed by the people who live there, exhibited digitally at Somerset House. New for 2012, the Londoners Photography Competition invites London residents to portray the London Borough in which they live. ‘Portrait of a City’ is sure to produce some fascinating images, as Londoner’s capture their favourite street corner or park bench in order to become part of this wonderful project to produce a snapshot of Greater London. For more information please visit: http://www.worldphoto.org/competitions/portrait-of-your-city-open-competition/
• OUR LIVES: An intimate glimpse into the lives of British children growing up in poverty, presented by Save The Children.  Award winning photographers Simon Roberts, Liz Hingley, Laura Pannack, Abbie Trayler-Smith and Carol Allen-Storey spent a year working with families around the UK to create an intimate and compelling photographic portrayal of child poverty in the UK today, a reality faced by a shocking 3.5 million children.  Every child has hopes and dreams, but many have to struggle against the odds to achieve them. Children in poverty often don’t have a voice but they have the right to be heard. Our Lives tells the story of some of these children, the barriers they face and the resilience they show.  No child should be born without a chance.
• Listings
  Title: Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition
  Date: 27 April – 20 May 2011
  Opening times: Fri 27 – Sun 29 April 10:00-20:00, thereafter Mondays – Wednesdays 11:00-19:00, Thursdays & Fridays: 11:00-20:00, Saturday & Sundays: 10:00-18:00
  Venue: Somerset House, The Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
  Tickets: £7.50
  Tel: 020 7845 4600
  Web: www.somersethouse.org.uk or www.worldphoto.org