Thousands of stunning pictures from photographers around the world are set to contest the 2012 Sony World Photography Award.
The competition traditionally receives around 100,000 images from more than 60 countries, with the winner pocketing £16,000.
The amateur competition, which runs alongside the main event, boasts a winner's purse of £3,200, along with a raft of imaging equipment courtesy of the sponsor.
Among this year's entries are a portrait of a ballerina, a sailboat, a lake in Finland and a dolphin seemingly suspended in the ocean staring at the photographer.
The submission deadline for the competition is January 4, with categories including nature, architecture, people and travel. All shortlisted pictures are due to be put on display at London's Somerset House April. See www.worldphoto.org for more information.
Enjoy some of this year's submissions below: