Mitch Dobrowner, USA, L'Iris d'Or, Professional Winner, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards 2012

Marking the fifth anniversary of the Sony World Photography Awards, the attractively curated winners' exhibitions are on show inside the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House.

In this vast photographic display, you will find some of the best contemporary images taken by photographers from across the globe.

Mixed media installations include traditional print, video, moving image and 3D, with subjects spanning all genres, including fine art, fashion, portraiture, sport and photojournalism.

Alongside the exhibition in Somerset House, World Photo London this weekend returns for its annual weekend of exciting events.

The programme incorporates events for anyone who enjoys photography, whether a culture buff or a practicing enthusiast, including City Project Workshops, Business of Photography Seminar, Blurb Drop-In Workshops, Critique Sessions and Winners Tours.

Le Petit Magot, Paris, 1968

Many events are free and students receive 20 per cent discount on most ticketed events.

Mitch Dobrowner is the winner of the coveted LIris dOr - the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year.

Dobrowner was presented with the award during the Sony World Photography Awards Gala ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Londons Park Lane for his extraordinary series of images, Storms.

This year saw the largest number of entries to date from more than 170 countries, which further adds to the achievement of winning this title.

This years Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award went to William Klein; one of the 20th centurys most important and influential photographers and film-makers.

With a career spanning the past 60 years, Klein, 83, has worked in painting, photography and film, always at the cutting edge of his chosen medium.

The World Photography Academy is a body of internationally respected industry leaders who endorse WPO, its values and objectives.

Formed in 2007, the first member to join the World Photography Academy was photojournalist Tom Stoddart, and today it comprises well over 100 international industry experts, including some of the worlds leading photographers, gallery owners, picture editors, photographic foundations, agents, managers and publishers.

Each year, selected members are invited to form the competition judging committees and participate within the World Photography Festival programmes. Membership is granted by invitation from WPO and/or by referral from an existing academy member.

The eclectic range of images, from professional, students and keen amateurs show that the boundaries of photography are becoming more blurred and creative, as is the example in the campaign category, which is crossing borders between advertising and editorial practice.

The worldwide City Projects, with samples from Sao Paulo in Brazil and London, also show the ever closer boundaries between urban communities in diverse parts of the world, with similar preoccupations and aspirations

Reviewed by Julio Etchart

www.julioetchart.com