This year, aside from Laura Basuki who has won the Silver Bear award at the Berlinale Film Festival Germany, Metha Meiryna won the award for Sony World Photography Organization 2022 competition in the regional and national categories. 

We all see the world differently and the photographers celebrated this year take center stage for embracing their own unique perspective. Set up 10 years ago, the program has given worldwide exposure and opportunities to more than 550 photographers.

The Sony World Photography Awards itself is one of the largest annual photography competitions in the world with more than 340,000 photographer attendees from 61 countries, and 211 territories images submitted. Each participant is given the opportunity to submit three different photos without charge.

"Now in its 15th year, the free-to-enter Awards are a global voice for photography, providing a vital insight into contemporary photography," says the World Photography Organisation.

More than 170,000 photographic works were included in the two categories, from which the National and Regional winners were chosen. 

“From sumo wrestlers to city surfers, the winning images in the 2022 National and Regional Awards are a wonderful example of photography’s diversity,” the competition says. 

“Focused on championing local talent to a regional and global stage, all winners are given Sony digital imaging equipment, are included in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book, and promoted to the World Photography Organisation’s international community.”

 

 

 

 

 

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More on Metha Meiryna
Metha is a travel photographer who has traveled to various parts of the world. The Indonesian native has taken photo objects in many anti-mainstream locations. Metha admitted that she likes the humanistic-realistic concepts that portray the daily life of dwellers from different countries. 

"I was shocked and did not expect to hear when my picture became the winner of Sony World Photography Awards 2022. How happy I felt that our work which raises the sacred cultural dance of 'Rejang' from Bali could be admitted on a worldwide level," said Metha in a media interview on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. 

The photo entitled "Rejang Dancer" hones her the first-winner title of the award. She used Sony A1, Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM representing Indonesia.

Rejang Dancer is a Balinese traditional dancer who dances in the traditional and religious ceremonies of the local people to celebrate the spirits. It is also another way of presenting the holiest and sacrificial dances to entertain the visiting gods. The sacred ritual catches Metha's eyes. 

“In Bali, dancing is part of local traditions and religious ceremonies, and this dance is traditionally performed by young women at a ceremony in the inner courtyard of a temple,” says Metha.

All National Award winners will receive complimentary Sony digital imaging equipment. They will also be featured in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book.

In the meantime, all of the winners from each country will have to compete again in the final stage of the world championship. It will be held in London in April along with the announcement of the winners from the Student, Youth, Open and Professional categories on 12 April. All the best wishes for Metha.