Michael van den Bogaard won the Sony World Photography Award in the Architecture category

The professional finalists and amateur winners of the 2009 Sony World Photography Awards were announced today, Tuesday 17 March.

The 44 photographers, from 22 separate countries, beat off stiff competition from the 186 shortlisted photographers, revealed last month.

Each of the photographers on the list will be exhibited and honoured at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony at the prestigious Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, on Thursday 16 April. Of the 12 professional category winners, one photographer will be the recipient of the L’Iris D’Or, the Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year. On the night they will be awarded $25,000 along with Sony camera equipment. The winning amateur photographer, selected from the eight category finalists, will receive a $5,000 cash prize and Sony camera equipment.

The Sony World Photography Awards aim to promote the work of photographers worldwide. As one of the main prizes, the professional category finalists and amateur category winners will be showcased in the Winners’ Exhibition inside the Rotonde Lerins which takes place alongside the Festival, a week-long celebration of photography. This winner’s exhibition will then be adapted for the 2009/2010 Global Tour, which exhibits throughout leading galleries and cities around the world.

On behalf of the Honorary Judging Committee Zelda Cheatle said: “It has been a joy to work with my fellow judges. We were most diligent in being fair, discussions were fruitful, and every entrant was given a serious viewing. It was an eye opener to see entries from all over the globe, of every standard from the most amateur of approaches to the sophisticated and experienced professional. It is with great pleasure that we present this year’s Sony World Photography Award winners.”

Astrid Merget, Event Director, adds: “Photography is a powerful medium that documents current social, political, environmental and cultural affairs. It has the ability to educate, inform, motivate, entertain, change views or simply share cultural and social trends. This year’s finalists beautifully highlight the ability of the still image to do all of this and more.”

Yoshiyuki Nogami, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Europe, commented: “We’ve been honoured to once again lend our full support to this unique global showcase for professional and amateur photography talent and have been impressed by the inspiring diversity and quality of this year’s entries.”