9 Incredible China Photos from the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards

By That's, August 13, 2018

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Smartphone photography may be more accessible, but at the end of the day, you still can’t beat the real DSLR deal. Sony recognizes this with its Sony World Photography Awards, which aim to showcase the best contemporary photography worldwide. Now in their 12th year, the awards are free to enter and open to all levels of photographers who can enter one of four categories: Professional, Open, Youth and Student. 

This year, the SWPA recognized 52 Chinese photographers altogether, with 15 Chinese photographers making the shortlist. We feature a selection of shortlisted photos taken in China, explained by the photographers who took them.


'Finding Lubo' by Wang Hanlin

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Image via Wang Hanlin ©

“‘Lubo’ was my nickname as a child. By finding ‘him,’ I would like to fill the gap between my memories. I moved around as a child (my father is a soldier) and as time passes, my memory becomes more vague. Past events and places appear in my mind occasionally, which sometimes cause me pain. So, I decided to record my emotions using photographs that show history, memory, impression and longing. All of them connect emotion and memory.”

'Reminiscence of Entrance Walls' by Cao Hongmei

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Image via Cao Hongmei ©

“With the reform of national policies and the demand for urban development, buildings are being built and rebuilt everywhere. This work is designed to record the landscape of the transformation along the way. I want to show the demolition and reconstruction and how changes to national policies [affect] people's lives.”

'The Fight' by Lin Zongyi

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Image via Lin Zongyi ©

“On April 15, 2017, on the Hongyan Waterfall in Taishun, Zhejiang, two explorers descended from the cliff by a rope. As they descended, they were able to withstand the huge impact of the currents – it was a shocking feat and impressive to witness.”

'Circle' by Chaoyang Cai

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Image via Chaoyang Cai ©

'Horse' by Yijie Quan

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Image via Yijie Quan ©

'Bicycle' by Daren You

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Image via Daren You ©

 “I took this photo in 2016. This image shows how uncertain I feel towards the future.”

'Behind the Scenes' by Zhou Xiaoqin

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Image via Zhou Xiaoqin ©

“I took this photo in 2017 at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Hefei, Anhui. At the time, a cultural performance was being held. After the show, the children had just finished performing. The younger children’s youthful natures were immediately apparent as they cheerfully played together, while several of the older children joined.”

'Installing Air Conditioning' by Qingshan Zhao

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Image via Qingshan Zhao ©

“’Installing Air Conditioning’ was taken in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, on July 12, 2017.”

'The Phalanx' by Xiaoxiao Lu

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Image via Xiaoxiao Lu ©

“In China, new senior middle school students undertake military training at the beginning of the first year’s school term. We all have memories of our training time. I helped a school shoot a record of their training time in September 2017.”

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