The 2015 Sony World Photography Awards sees entrants from around the world submit some of the best amateur and professional photographs you've ever seen, as they compete to win a total of $30,000 in cash prizes. This year, there was a record 173,444 images entered across 26 categories. The shortlist is something for budding photographers to aspire to; the eventual winners will be announced on April 23. Check out these 15 spectacular images from the shortlist…
Website: worldphoto
'On the Tundra' by Simon Morris – People, Open

'Frog Story' by Harfian Herdi – Nature & Wildlife, Open

'Old Shepherd' by Saeed Barikani – People, Open

'Cat Mothers' by Ramil Gilvano – Lifestyle, Professional

'CAESER' by Christian Berthelot – Professional, Portraiture

'Sweat and Blood' by Marcin Kloce – Sport, Professional Competition

'Pray' by Muhammad Berkati – Arts & Culture, Open

'Restricted Areas' by Danila Tkachenko – Landscape, Professional

'Underwater Grace' by Jonathan Yeap Chin Tiong – Sport, Professional

'Blue Fields' by Simon Butterworth – Landscape, Professional

'The Secondary Trainer' by Anthony Kham – Sport, Professional

'Acid Survivors in India' by Jordi Pizzaro – Conceptual, Professional

'Animal Behavior' by Kimmo Metsaranta – Still Life, Professional

'Swedish Dads' by John Bavman – People, Professional

'Shadow City' by Ronaldo Land – Sports, Professional

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