Ten amateur photographers have been picked from 51,000 entrants as the Open category winners of the 2011 Sony World Photography Awards.

This image is titled In the Countenance of Eternity by shivalux.

Anyone can enter the Sony World Photography Awards Open competition and judges make their decision based on a single image. The winning images will go on display next month as part of the World Photography Festival at London’s Somerset House.

The photographs - which include a model on a fast-moving city street, two racing buffalos and a detailed picture of ants carrying a leaf ­ will also be published in a book. Each of the winning photographers won Sony digital SLR camera equipment.

Astrid Merget, Creative Director of the World Photography Organisation, commented, “The calibre and quality of the Open competition was superb this year and often equalled that of the Professional competition. It just goes to show that one can present stunning imagery within a single photograph, just as brilliantly as within a full body of work.”

The overall winner of the Sony World Photography Awards Open Photographer of the Year title will be revealed next month at a gala ceremony to be held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. The winner will receive a cash prize and photography equipment.