The Single Image competition is an annual Sony World Photography Awards contest run by the World Photography Organisation for standalone photographs across ten categories. Members of the public worldwide submit images online, and judges assess each photograph individually.
The overall winner receives cash and equipment, along with travel to the awards ceremony in London. Selected work also receives exhibition, publication, and international media exposure.
Benefits & funding
- Entry is free for up to three single images; entrants may optionally buy bundles for additional submissions.
- The overall winner receives USD 5,000, Sony Digital Imaging equipment, flights and accommodation for the London awards ceremony, a trophy, press exposure, book inclusion, and exhibition inclusion.
- Each category winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment, a certificate, press exposure, a copy of and inclusion in the awards book, exhibition inclusion, and promotion through World Photography Organisation channels.
- Shortlisted photographers receive press exposure, inclusion in the awards book, and promotion through World Photography Organisation channels.
Eligibility
- The competition is open to all members of the public, with no nationality, residency, gender, degree, or work-experience requirement.
- Entrants under 16 must have consent from a parent or legal guardian; no minimum or maximum age is otherwise stated.
- Images must be taken in 2026 and entered in one of the ten published categories.
- Each free entry must be a JPEG file between 1 MB and 5 MB in the sRGB colour model; shortlisted entrants may be asked for a file of at least 5 MB and 300 ppi.
- The entrant must own and have authored the image and hold the necessary permissions for depicted people, locations, wildlife, archival material, and drone use.
- Manipulation is allowed when disclosed in the image description, but computer-generated content cannot be the origin of an entry.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
Appears to have an age limit “under 16”
confirm in the requirements
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Open the official entry platform and sign in or register as an individual.
- 2Choose one or more of the ten Single Image categories and upload up to three images for free.
- 3Add the required image information and disclose any manipulation or use of archival material.
- 4Submit by 5 January 2027 at 16:00 GMT; a submitted image cannot be changed afterward.
Program timeline
Entries opened for the 2027 awards.
Jun 1, 2026 at 00:00 BST
Applications close.
Jan 5, 2027 at 16:00 GMT
Entries are judged.
Jan 6, 2027 to Jan 31, 2027
Category winners and up to 15 shortlisted photographers per category are announced.
Before April 2027
The overall winner is announced at the London awards ceremony.
April 2027