Award-Winning Student Photos Capture History in the Making

The magic of photography is how a split second frozen in time can reveal an epic story layered in history and emotion. The Sony World Photography Awards announced its shortlist of student finalists this week, spotlighting young photographers who capture the world around them in a manner that's both courageous and tender. The candidates, ages 21–28, each submitted a single image on the theme "Tomorrow's News." The semifinalists, who represent six continents, were chosen from hundreds of students enrolled in photography programs at more than 230 institutions around the globe. They have now been challenged to present a series of self-portraits to the judges. The winner will be announced on April 30 in London and receive $48,000 in photographic equipment. The annual contest is one of the largest of its kind and features both professional and amateur photographers. Here are eight of the most compelling works; you can also see more of the student finalist's photographs. — Sarah B. Weir, Yahoo Shine

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