From seasoned professionals to amateurs fresh from taking a photography course, the creative world is gearing up for the annual Sony World Photography Awards and World Photography Festival taking place in Cannes in April.

Dubbed the global photographic event of the year, the five-day celebration of the craft will feature exhibitions, workshops, portfolio reviews by experts including the vice-president of Getty Images and the picture editor of the Sunday Times, student programmes and talks from World Photography Academy members including Jonathan Torgovnik, Nadav Kander and Reza.

The 'Photography Now' symposium, presented by some of the leading international industry figures, will explore the "current topics, trends, dilemmas and debates" concerning photography today, the organisers have revealed. Genres to be covered range from sport, fashion and landscapes to "people, places, trends and imaginations".

All eyes will be on the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards prize ceremony on 22 April, however, where winners of the professional, amateur and student categories receive their trophies and the overall winner of the 2010 L’Iris D’Or for Photographer of the Year will be announced.

The Awards and Festival run from 22-27 April, with tickets priced from £15 and available at World Photography Awards

PhotographyCourses.Biz