The Sony World Photography awards, one of the most reputed and influential competition was held at the Odeon Leicester Square, London, this year. The Competition received over 1,05,000 images from over 162 countries. Argentinian Photojournalist Alejandro Chaskielberg won L'Iris D'Or, the 2011 Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year. He won a cash prize of USD 25,000 and a Sony digital SLR equipment for his rare and unusual night time portraits of islanders living in the Parana Delta, Argentina.
I would advice people to actively participate in photo competitions, no wonder you will soon see yourself winning such grand prizes if you are dedicated to photography. The 2012 Sony World Photography awards is open for entries from 1st June.