Pixiq

The shortlist for the Sony World Photography Awards was announced earlier this week. With over 105,000 entries coming from professional and amateur photographers in 162, the judges have certainly had their work cut out. The winners will be unveiled at a posh-frock do at the Odeon, Leicester Square, on 27 April 2011. But, there’s a whole lot more to the champagne-fuelled awards ceremony going on that week.

26 April to 1 May is the World Photography Festival. For six days there will be a glut of photographic activity happening in London. Exhibitions, naturally; seminars, but of course; workshops, you betcha. And not forgetting the awards ceremony, either.

Serra da Laba, Angola, © Kostadin Luchansky courtesy of Sony World Photography Awards 2011

You can have your portfolio critiqued by a pro; if you’re a student there’s advice on how to start out in the big, bad world of professional photography; you can even leap on a guerilla photoshoot, in studio or on location around London. Exhibitions will feature the images from the Sony World Photography Awards, as well as those from the Student Focus Awards, the university showcase, and the Save the Children project.

The Kitchest Bear, © Antoine Beyeler courtesy of Sony World Photography Awards 2011

And finally, if you fancy attending a fancy do, there are a few tickets available for the public to attend the awards ceremony. Prices start at £22 and go on sale on 4 February 2011. Want more details? Go here.

World Photography Festival, London: lots more information from the website.

Shy, © Arup Ghosh courtesy of Sony World Photography Awards 2011

(All images are shortlisted images from the 2011 Sony World Photography Awards Open Category. Open category winners will be announced on 22 March. For further information see www.worldphoto.org.)