Out of nearly half a million photos, only these made the cut: the inspiring winners from around the world

A lone figure walks on soft sand dunes under a blue, misty sky. Sparse trees and distant structures create a serene, dreamlike landscape at dawn.

The Sony World Photography Awards have revealed the National and Regional Award winners and shortlists – from blue hour magic, iconic architecture, to local community insights and mountains outside the city of AlUla in northern Saudi Arabia.

Out of nearly 430.000 images from over 200 countries, these photographers captured authentic stories in striking visual styles. The winners come from across all career stages, selected from the Open, Professional, and Student competitions.