31. “Colors of Life”
Possible Camera Used: Sony Alpha a6000
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $999*
Photographed by Pranab Basak, an Indian photographer, “Colors of Life” showed several female fisherwomen standing in sparkling blue waters, holding nets to collect fish that they’d later sell at the market. This photograph might have been taken with a Sony Alpha a6000, which is great for outdoor photography.
“Colors of Life” @Keblog / Pinterest
Fisherwomen are, as one publication put it, “the uncounted dimension” in the Indian fishing industry, which employs $14.5 million people. Fisheries contribute over 1% of India’s total GDP, and women make up 50% of the workers there. Basak’s photograph helps shed a beautiful light on the hardest-working, often-overlooked members of this economic sector.
32. “The Best Friends”
Possible Camera Used: Sony Alpha a7R IV ILCE-7RM4
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $2,999*
Andi Halil caught this unlikely animal friendship blooming between a lizard and a snail, who appear to be giving each other a peck kiss to say hello (though that’s not likely what really happened, it’s nice to think they’re best friends). The Indonesian photographer titled his picture “The Best Friends.”
“The Best Friends” @Bored Panda / Pinterest
He captured the moment in just a single shot, amazing considering that some photographs take hours and hundreds of photos to get the perfect close-up. A good camera for this sort of macro-photography is the Sony Alpha a7R IV ILCE-7RM4, which costs $3,000 at Best Buy (body only) and can capture these extreme close-ups.
33. “Diamond Ring Total Solar Eclipse”
Possible Camera Used: Nikon D810
Where to Buy: Walmart
Cost: $2,449*
Many of us remember the 2017 solar eclipse and how you weren’t supposed to look directly at it. One photographer, Edward Panjaitan, managed to get a perfect glimpse at the eclipse while keeping his eyeballs intact. He titled it “Diamond Ring Solar Eclipse,” as it did resemble the classic ring design.
“Diamond Ring Total Solar Eclipse” @Crinu Gavril / Pinterest
A possible camera used to photograph this type of eclipse may have been the high-resolution Nikon D810. Photographing an eclipse is tricky, as the sun rays are very powerful. The next annular solar eclipse (that we can see from Asia, North America, and Europe) will occur on June 10, 2021.
34. “Throwing Nets”
Possible Camera Used: Fujifilm X-T1 Mirrorless Digital Camera,
Where to Buy: Camera Wholesalers
Cost: $1,999*
The fishing industry is able to capture so many photo-worthy moments, and Glenn Valentino was around to find a photograph so beautiful he entered it into 2019’s Agora Awards. Valentino was touring Indonesia, when he found a fisherman working at the Situ Patenggang Lake.
“Throwing Nets” @Bored Panda / Pinterest
He realized that it would make a perfect opportunity for a photo. He waited until the fisherman tossed his colorful net into the air, and he took the photo at the exact moment it was spread to its fullest diameter. A possible camera for taking such a fast, in-motion photograph could have been the Fujifilm X-T1 Mirrorless Digital Camera, which is excellent for action photography.
35. “Wild Look”
Possible Camera Used: Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
Where to Buy: Amazon
Cost: $559*
While visiting Spain’s Cabarceno National Park, photographer Sergio Saavedra spotted someone who didn’t appear to be too happy with his visit. He photographed an adorable lynx glaring directly at him, and he, appropriately, titled the photo “Wild Look.” The lynx seemed to be in the middle of hunting.
“Wild Look” @shelli picard / Pinterest
The camera possibly used for this sort of nature photography could have been the Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera, which you can buy on Amazon for $559. This Canon can take clear, sharp photos, focusing on exactly what the artist wants: in this case, an annoyed—and hopefully not hungry—carnivorous lynx.
36. “Hearts on the Sea”
Possible Camera Used: Canon EOS 90D
Where to Buy: Canon.com
Cost: $1,349*
This photograph is a classic case of being in the right place at the exact right time. Photographer Phan Xuan was in Vietnam when he saw two fishermen cast their nets out. The nets both formed a green heart shape. Xuan snapped the one-in-a-million shot and titled it “Hearts On the Sea.”
“Hearts on the Sea” © www.Shutterstock
The Canon EOS 90D could have been used to take such a photo. Another excellent camera for nature photography, the 90D has the ability to shoot silently, which means Xuan could have snapped the photo without disturbing the fishermen at their trade (the 90D, for that reason, is also a favorite among wedding photographers).
37. “Dreamers and Warriors”
Possible Camera Used: Canon EOS 5DS R
Where to Buy: Walmart
Cost: $4,989*
The Sony World Photography Awards in 2019 captured some of the most beautiful images from photographers around the world. One such image was “Dreamers and Warriors,” taken by Martin Stranka. The Czech photographer’s image won the “Creative Category” of the Sony WPA.
“Dreamers and Warriors”@Joke Geebelen / Pinterest
According to Stranka’s website, the birds symbolize visions and dreams, and the masked human at the center of the photo has to “protect” these dreams. It is unclear what camera was used, but what is obvious is the crystal clear-nature of the photograph. Stranka has used a Canon EOS 5DS R before (in photos like “Circle of Life”), which would be capable of such clarity.
38. “Incense Work”
Possible Camera Used: Canon EOS-C300-MK-III
Where to Buy: FullCompass.com
Cost: $10,999*
In Khanh Phan, we see a behind-the-scenes look at how incense is made. In this vibrant red photograph, a woman is drying bundles of red incense sticks. Such a vibrant photograph could have been taken using a camera like the Canon EOS-C300-MK-III, which is a cinema-quality camera known for its clarity.
“Incense Work” @Аня Кирюхина / Pinterest
The village featured in this photo is Quang Phu Cau, located on the outskirts of Hanoi. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, hundreds of villagers work together to dye, dry, and whittle bamboo bark to create incense sticks. In Vietnam, it is believed that incense offerings can help you connect with and remember your ancestors.
39. “Forest of Resonating Lamps”
Possible Camera Used:
Where to Buy: DVE Store
Cost: $1,295*
Another Sony entry was Yukihito Ono’s “Forest of Resonating Lamps,” which won accolades in the “Travel Category.” Taken in Tokyo, Japan, the “Forest of Resonating Lamps” is an interactive art installation made of Murano Glass. If you stand close to one lamp, it lights up, causing a chain reaction that illuminates the entire room.
“Forest of Resonating Lamps” @Diane Mosley / Pinterest
Ono’s photograph caught all of the lamps as they were illuminated at the same time. The result was an ethereal, futuristic landscape. The camera that could have been used to take this photo is the Blackmagic Design Micro Studio Camera 4K, which is great for capturing these types of light effects.
40. “Mother’s Goodness”
Possible Camera Used: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Where to Buy: Canon.com
Cost: $2,599*
Myanmar native Phyo Moe was the photographer behind this close-up of a mother bird about to deliver food to its baby. This photo was taken at the perfect time. “Mother’s Goodness” featured the Hoopoe bird, a colorful species that is found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is noted for its “crown” of orange feathers.
“Mother’s Goodness” @Cheezburger / Pinterest
This type of macro-photography could have been possible with a camera such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is great for not only close-up photographs, but also photographs taken in motion. A hoopoe bird flies 24.9 miles per hour. Though it slows down when it reaches its nest, it still is pretty fast-moving, requiring a high-quality camera to capture it.
41. “Huddle”
Possible Camera Used: Olympus Tough TG-6
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $350*
This is definitely one of the cutest photos on this list, featuring a group of adorable baby penguins huddling together in the snow. Taken by Nadia Aly, “Huddle” won big at the Sony Awards, particularly in the “Natural World & Wildlife” category. “Huddle” was likely taken in the icy-cold Southern Hemisphere (though not necessarily Antarctica, as penguins live in other places, too).
“Huddle” @National Geographic / Pinterest
A possible camera that could capture that photograph, even in extreme temperatures, is the Olympus Tough TG-6, which is a rugged, durable camera that is often used by hikers and backpackers. The TG-6 isn’t overly-expensive, costing $349-$350 at outlets like Olympus and Best Buy.
42. “Motherly Love”
Possible Camera Used: Nikon Coolpix P1000
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $999*
Santiago Lopez spent two hours at Tenerife, Spain’s Loro Parque Zoo in order to capture this touching photograph of a mother chimpanzee holding her baby, which is falling asleep. Titled “Motherly Love,” the photograph was an insight into just how closely chimpanzees resemble humans in their emotion and intelligence.
“Motherly Love” @Fubiz / Pinterest
The Loro Parque Zoo is home to 4,000 parrots, among other animals. It houses diverse reserves of plant and animal species, and it is a major tourist attraction in Spain. A possible camera that could have been used to zoom in on this mother-and-child duo is the Nikon Coolpix P1000, a highly-rated camera for nature photography.
43. “Smoke”
Possible Camera Used: Canon 1Dx Mark II
Where to Buy: Canon.com
Cost: $6,000*
Alexey Holod’s photograph, “Smoke,” won the best in the “Motion” category of the Sony Awards. His photo featured a model surrounded by a cloud of smoke that was beginning to almost take the shape of a wolf or fox, depending on how you saw it. Holod’s photo was ethereal, and it’s easy to see why it was an award-winner.
“Smoke” @Ricardo Meneghel / Pinterest
To take such a motion photograph, you’d need a high-quality camera like the Canon 1Dx Mark II, which has made several “Best Action Cameras” lists. You can buy the Mark II, which Canon made its flagship camera in 2016, on Canon’s website for $6,000.
44. “Rainbow Reine”
Possible Camera Used: Nikon D700
Where to Buy: Walmart
Cost: $1,264*
Paul Lund was driving over a bridge in the Lofoten Islands in Norway when he saw a sight so beautiful that he had to stop, even though there were cars driving behind him. There was a double rainbow in the sky, crossing over the partially-submerged Norwegian mountains. Lunde parked quickly, took some snapshots, and got back in his car and drove off.
“Rainbow Reine” @Microsoft Bing / Pinterest
Though photographed quickly, these photos are amazing and painting-like. According to PhotographyLife.com, one of the best cameras to capture a rainbow is the Nikon D700, which could have been used to capture this stunning natural display.
45. “Untitled”
Possible Camera Used: Nikon Coolpix W300
Where to Buy: Best Buy
Cost: $390*
Sometimes, a photo just speaks for itself, to the point where you don’t need to even title it. Greg Lecouer, a French photographer, found that out with his Sony Awards’ “Natural World & Wildlife” photo, “Untitled,” featuring a friendly, whiskered seal swimming upside-down and staring curiously into the camera.
“Untitled” @Lightroom Presets + Photography Tips & Ideas / Pinterest
To catch such a beautiful photo, you’d need a waterproof camera that could cut through the murk of the seals’ natural habitat and capture a clear shot. An example of such a camera is the Nikon Coolpix W300, which has 30-meter (98.4-foot) waterproofing, making it a favorite among deep divers.