A total of 44 photographers have won prizes at the Sony World Photography Awards 2009, from a list of 186 shortlisted nominees.

Of the 12 winners in the professional categories, one will win the much coveted L’Iris D'Or, or the ‘Photographer of the Year‘ award. This awards ceremony will take place, along with an exhibition of the winning photographs, on 16 April at Cannes’ Palais des Festivals.

The winning photographs will form part of a tour that will travel internationally in 2009 and 2010. Each of the 44 winners took the best picture in his/her category. These categories included, fashion, landscape, sport, architecture, music and portraiture.

Sony, which provides camera equipment to the winning professional and non-professional photographer, made the following statement, “We’ve been honoured to once again lend our full support to this unique global showcase for professional and amateur photography talent and have been impressed by the inspiring diversity and quality of this year’s entries".

British amateur photographer, David Watts, was named the winner of the amateur architecture category with his picture taken in the ruins of Persepolis in Iran.

For a full list of winners, visit the Sony World Photography Awards website.

If next year you fancy being in with a shot but don't think you are up to standard yet, take a look at our digital photography DVD.