Beautiful photos: The Sony World Photography Awards shortlist

Breathtaking photos from the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Ng Chai Hock/2013 Sony World Photography Awards

Prepare to be wowed. The 2013 shortlists for the Professional, Open and Youth categories of the Sony World Photography Awards have been announced and the results will take your breath away.

The competition attracted more than 122,000 entries from 170 countries and the judges selected the photographs that stood out beyond all others for their originality, impressive quality and modern appeal.

From 26 April to 12 May you can see the work of all shortlisted photographers in a special exhibition at Somerset House, London.

We've rounded up some of the most spectacular travel shots from the contest before the winners are announced in March and April...

2013 Sony World Photography Awards

Game of Colors
 The Hindu festival of colours Holi brings unadulterated joy, fun, music and dance, plus plenty of bright colors.
Monks of Myanmar
 A scene from a monastery in Myanmar.
Middlearth
 A view from Sczeliniec to Owls Mountains and Klodzko valley in Poland.
Roros, a journey
 A group of 20 to 30 men and women with 12 horses and sleighs travel over three days, crossing snowy roads and iced lakes to reach the opening day of Røros winter fair in Norway.
Of the Tiger and Turtle
 Of the Tiger and Turtle is a work of art on an industrial landmark in Germany. The <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2012/11/19/photos-grand-staircases-around-the-world/" target="_blank">amazing staircase</a> features 249 steps for visitors to climb and take in the views of the Rhine. In the background you can see a steel mill.
Life goes on - Afghanistan
 Families visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali, or the Blue Mosque, in Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan in May 2012. The historical mosque attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.
Running for Life
 14 giraffes flee after spotting lions in hunting mode
Haweswater Calm
 Ambleside pictured on the road from Keswick. Photographer Joe Stockdale said: 'It's rare you'll get any of the lakes or waters this still through the day. The Sun was directly above the fell these trees are on, which created this strong golden touch fringing all the woodland.'
Quiver Trees by Night
 A 240-degree view of the Milky Way behind the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop, Namibia. Both Magellanic clouds are visible on the left, while the central bulge of our own galaxy contrasts with the warm glow of light pollution from the nearby town.
Soul of Sir Hitchcock
 Photographer Maciej Makowski was 'hanging around the Jaipur's suburbia' when he noticed a cloud of birds in the air. He said: 'I just instinctively released the shutter. Soul of Sir Hitchcock lives here I thought.'
Beneath the Horizon
 Photographer Nathan Wills captured the calm of both human and animal. He said: 'My partner was getting her flippers on and I was already prepared and ready to get in so I swam out to see if I could get this shot. I could have never imagined that in a million years I would have a turtle just cruising by at the moment I stuck my head under. How blessed.'
Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2012
 Monks look up at the magnificent night sky filled with thousands of lanterns. Photographer Ng Chai Hock said: 'This was the moment I've been waiting for and it lasted very quickly due to strong wind. A very heavy downpour occurred right after we left the place.'
Dubai Aerials
 An aerial view on the surreal world of the desert city Dubai.
Shy
 A little girl of Turtuk Village, Nubra Valley in Ladakh, India.
Starry Tree
 The Milky Way looking like a giant tree on top of a mountain near Ush Konyr plateau.