Breathtaking Photos Aiming for Sony's Top Award

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

For photographers, there are few prizes more important and prestigious than the crown bestowed to the winner of the Sony World Photography awards. On April 20th 2017, this year's illustrious winner will be announced out of 227,596 entries from nearly 50 countries. Let's see if we can jump the gun ourselves and decide who we think is most deserving of the $25,000 cash prize. Here are 15 of the most outstanding nominees. Which do you prefer?

Masayasu Sakuma, Japan: Open Competition, Nature

Andreas Hemb, Sweden: Open Competition, Wildlife

Christian Vizl, Mexico: Professional, Natural World

Francesco Russo, Italy: Open Competition, Nature

Meni Alessandra, Switzerland: Open Competition, Wildlife

Luo Pin Xi, China: Professional, Sport

Nigel Hodson, UK: Open Competition, Wildlife

Eugene Kitsios, Netherlands: Open Competition, Wildlife

Maximilian Conrad, Germany: Open Competition, Nature

Fan Chen, China: Open Competition, Wildlife

Gul Yildiz, Turkey: Open Competition, Motion

Ami Vitale, USA: Professional, Natural World

Ann Ric, Malaysia: Open Competition, Nature

Stephane Couture, Canada: Open Competition, Travel