Sony Alpha Awards return for 2022

Now in its seventh year, the 2022 competition allows photographers to submit their work across twelve categories:

Astrophotography for photographs that prominently feature the night sky. Judges in this category are looking for images that demonstrate exceptional mastery of this field’s significant technical constraints, alongside the aesthetic considerations of the Landscape category. Composite images that do not alter the explicit content of the image are allowed (i.e., exposure blending, colour compositing, dark frame subtraction). Pure starfield images may be submitted, but judging will be based on aesthetic and pictorial criteria.

City / Street covers any image that documents life in an urban centre. Both people and places will be considered. Judges in this category are looking for images that give insight into urban life or reveal unexpected or extraordinary aesthetics.

Compact Camera is for photos captured on Sony fixed-lens cameras. The Compact Camera category has a theme of ‘Distance’ in 2022, for entrants to interpret as they wish, across all genres. Judges in this category are looking for technical excellence, as well as imaginative interpretations of the theme.

Creative rewards originality, experimentation and imagination and is open to photo composite images. Any number of photos can be used and edited together to form an image of a subject, object, environment, idea, or concept. All elements used in the composite must be captured by the submitting photographer, and should the submission reach the final round of judging, entrants will be required to submit the original layered file and/or contributing images. Judges in this category are looking for a clear concept, executed with sensitivity to the subject matter and a high level of technical competence.

Editorial images should be drawn from a body of work, commissioned or otherwise. Subject matter can range from commercial work to photo reportage documenting current affairs, newsworthy events, etc. For an image which reaches the final stage of judging, the photographer will be required to submit the full body of work for context. Judges in this category are looking for clear storytelling, executed both within the individual image and, for finalists, sustained throughout the series.

Landscape covers photos of a place and/or thing, typically the natural world. Judges in this category are looking for unique and powerful framings, or new takes on familiar scenes. Technical photographic excellence is needed, but final decisions in this category are made on the basis of a photographer’s use of colour, composition and sensitive post-production to complement the scene presented. Photo compositing in this category for technical purposes will not be penalised, but composites from significantly different times/places are grounds for disqualification. Photographs that qualify for consideration in Astrophotography or Seascape are unlikely to receive an award in this category.

Nature encompasses the natural living world. Animals, plants, fungi – if it’s alive, it counts. Judges in this category are looking for images that reveal something new or unexpected from the natural world around us. As a hotly contested category, technical considerations are often a factor in deciding the top contenders for Nature.  Domesticated animals and animals in clearly artificial settings or captivity are unlikely to be awarded.

Portrait is dedicated to photos of a person who is aware of the photographer and participating in the creation of the photo. Judging in this category will reward photos that reveal more than just the surface of the subject. Candid photography is not considered in this category.

Seascape prominently features the sea. Judges in this category are looking for unique and powerful framings, or new takes on familiar scenes. Technical photographic excellence is needed, but final decisions in this category are made on the basis of a photographer’s use of colour, composition and sensitive post-production to complement the scene presented.

Sports is for photos of a sport being played or related to the culture of a sport. Judges in this category are looking for images that reveal a deep understanding of the sport being documented, and which capture either peak action, or something quintessential to the sport.

Wedding covers photography documenting a wedding. Judges in this category are looking for intelligent and intuitive photography that demonstrates the photographer’s ability to read the environment of a wedding and zero in on powerful moments, while upholding aesthetic considerations. Alternatively, pre-wedding work that goes beneath the surface and speaks to the couple being photographed.  Documentary work related to a wedding will also be considered.

Youth is only open to students between the ages of 11 and 18 years. Photos entered should be inspired by the theme ‘Discover’. Applicants can submit photos captured on any device, whether that’s a camera, tablet or smartphone, then upload to Instagram using the hashtag #AlphaAwardsYouth22. This competition has a prize pool valued at over $5,800, which includes a range of Sony Alpha camera gear.

All applicants for the Open categories can submit up to five photos through the Alpha Awards competition page. Eligible images must be taken with Sony Alpha cameras (body and lens), or a Sony fixed-lens Compact Camera (Compact Camera category only). Submissions will close on 20 May, 2022.