The 2016 Sony World Photography Awards, the world's biggest photography competition, has revealed the shortlists for its Professional, Open and Youth competitions. A record-breaking 230,103 images were submitted this year, from 186 countries. The total number of entries received by the Sony World Photography Awards since its launch has now surpassed one million.

The Open competition received 95,541 entries, across ten categories (Nature and Wildlife, Low Light, Travel, Split Second, Smile, Architecture, Arts and Culture, People, Enhanced, and Panoramic). In this gallery, IBTimes UK presents a selection of images from the Open shortlist. (See the Professional shortlist.)

All the shortlisted photographers are now competing to win their category and the Open Photographer of the Year title, as well as the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on 21 April. The winning and shortlisted images will go on show at Somerset House, London from 22 April to 8 May and will be published in the 2016 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book. To book your exhibition ticket, please visit worldphoto.org/2016exhibition.