Three Egyptian photographers were shortlisted for the 2016 Sony World Photography Award, competing in the biggest international competition.

Nader Saadallah was shortlisted in the Open competition Arts & Culture category, Ahmed Gaber in the Youth competition Portraiture category and Armand Tamboly in the Professional competition Portraiture category.

Selected by a panel of experts, all three are now in competition to win in their categories, and Tamboly, who is in the professional competition, is qualifying for the $25,000 prize and the L’Iris d’Or/ Photographer of the Year title. Saadallah is competing for Open photographer of the year, with a $5,000 prize, and all winners will receive the latest digital photography equipment from Sony.

The shortlist includes “over 270 photographers from nearly 60 countries being represented, the most in the awards’ nine-year history,” according to World Photography Organization press release.

Winners of the Open and Youth categories will be revealed on 29 March, while overall winners are to be announced on 21 April in London.

Saadallah is a theatre graduate from the University of Alexandria, the city where he is based and works as a photographer and filmmaker.

His photograph titled Culture’s Soul is shot in China, and captures the traditional Lijiang show of the Naxi, Yi and Bai people.

Gaber is also based in the Mediterranean city and is currently studying at the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Alexandria. The 19- year- old hopes to pursue a career in photojournalism after he graduates.

His photograph titled Rasheed captures young children playing in the city with the same name.

Tamboly is based in Berlin, after studying advertising and photography at Cairo’s Helwan University. With an interest in merging art and design, his photograph Stereotypes confronts the perception of masculinity and femininity with a series of men adorned with feminine hairstyles.

"It's a great honour to be shortlisted in the Sony World Photography Awards, the most prestigious photography competition in the world. It's a dream come true and I dedicate my success to my parents," the photographer reportedly said.

Somerset House in London will host the winning and shortlisted photos in an exhibition running between 22 April and 8 May.

“The exhibition will also include the first major European exhibition of the artistic duo and fine art photographers RongRong & inri (China/Japan), recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize at the awards,” according to the press release.

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