Dozens of striking images from around the globe in the frame for Sony World Photography Awards

For its twelfth year the Sony World Photography Awards has shortlisted a selection of the world's most arresting images. 

With an incredible range of subjects and a vastly varying aesthetic the images take us on a journey through cultures, experiences and emotions seen through the lenses of the world's photographers. 

The competition is open to all photographers, no age or skill level excluded, and is free to enter, the Daily Mail reports.

Comprising of four judging categories Professional, Open, Student and Youth, the competition attracted more than 327,000 entries from photographers across the world this year alone.  

The winners of the four categories are to be announced on April 17 2019. 

From the April 18 600 of the shortlisted works selected by the judging panel will then go on show at Somerset House in London until May 6, with over 30,000 visitors expected. 

Below are the shortlisted images for the 2019 'Professional' category. 

Submissions for the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards open June 1, 2019.