Each year, one of the largest photography competitions announces winners in April among professional and amateur photographers. The organizers try to find the most inspiring, exciting and emotional entries from all over the world. Scenes from places engulfed by war or destroyed by the forces of nature rival vivid and powerful stories of love and loss.

This year, a record number of submissions were received - 127,098 photographs from all over the world. The announced winner receives the L'iris d'Or, Sony World Photography Awards Professional Photographer of the Year, and:

• $25,000
• Sony digital SLR camera with a set of accessories,
• membership in the World Academy of Photography,
• airfare to London, 2 nights hotel accommodation and VIP tickets to the evening awards ceremony.

Photographer of the Year in 2016 was journalist Asghar Hamesh with his "Fire of Hatred" project, which includes portraits of Iranians who were victims of acid dousing, a common type of crime in this country.

(Total 12 photos)

The photo series of Asghar Hamesh, the winner of the competition, is dedicated to a common way in Iran to sort things out - with the help of acid. Admittedly, the photos are not for the faint of heart. In the photo: 37-year-old resident of Iran refused to get married. Now she looks like this. After 4 liters of acid. (Photo: Asghar Khamseh)

Winner in the Still Life category. Dirty tomato. Tons of tomatoes are grown in fields in southern Italy, harvested by about 19,000 workers, most of them migrants. In 2015, 13 deaths were reported due to high temperatures while working in the fields. (Photo: Francesco Amorosino)

On February 23, 2016, it was announced that ten photographers from Russia were today shortlisted for the world's largest photography competition, the Sony World Photography Awards 2016; five of them - in the Professional competition with a series of photos, four - in the Open with one photo, one - in the Youth competition for participants under 20 years old.

Ten photographers from Russia shortlisted for the world's largest photography competition - Sony World Photography Awards 2016

· The number of submitted works from Russia increased by 80% compared to 2015.

· Five photographers were shortlisted for the Professional Contest, four for the Open Contest, and two for the Youth Contest.

· This year, a record number of applications were submitted to the competition - 230,103 entries from 186 countries.

· Photos for publication are available at press.worldphoto.org.

This year, 80 percent more entries were received from Russia compared to 2015. The photos of the nominees were selected from 230,103 entries from 186 countries, a new record in the nine-year history of the award, which is one third more than last year. Since its inception in 2007, more than one million entries have passed through the competition, which once again confirms the importance of the Sony World Photography Awards in the world of photography.

Alexandra Kulak, Professional competition, category "Actual events"

· Anton Unitsyn, Professional competition, category "Daily life"

Alexander Semenov, Professional competition, category " Environment»

Dmitry Belyakov, Professional competition, category "Portrait"

Ekaterina Yashchenko (resident in Kazakhstan), Youth competition, category "Environment"

Petr Antonov, Professional competition, category "Architecture"

All shortlisted photographers will compete to win their category, the Golden Aperture Award, and the Professional and open competition as well as cash prizes. The announcement of the names of the laureates will take place at the awards ceremony on April 21 in London. The winning photos will be featured at the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards in London in April and May and published in the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards book.

The works of photographers from Russia impressed the jury with their originality and interesting subjects. Among them are a perfectly captured shot of a boy jumping on a bicycle (Dmitry Ivanov), a magnificent photo of a hedgehog at dusk (Egor Nikiforov), breathtaking views architectural structures(Pyotr Antonov), portraits of special forces veterans (Dmitry Belyakov), incredible underwater shots (Alexander Semyonov and Andrey Narchuk). These works shed light on the vibrant diversity of the world we live in.

A series of photographs from the shortlist of the Professional competition in the documentary categories deserve special attention - they tell amazing stories about the Mexican Mennonite colonies (Alexandra Kulak) and give a chance to look at the daily life of the inhabitants of the city of Solvychegodsk (Anton Unitsyn).

The Sony World Photography Awards recognize the finest examples of contemporary photography each year. Photographers of any level can apply for participation in four competitions: Professional, Open, Youth and Student. More detailed information about the competition is available at www.worldphoto.org

Scott Grey, CEO World Organization photo and contest organizer, commented on the shortlisted entries: “We are very pleased with the choice of our jury this year. Despite a significant increase in the number of participants and a huge number of submitted photos, this year we received a lot of bright entries, both from the traditionally strong documentary categories, as well as from the field of visual and conceptual art. It's amazing that our tool of expression can be so versatile."

A total of 230,103 photographs were submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards 2016:

• 27 098 - for the Professional competition,
• 95 541 - for Open,
• 7464 - on Molodyozhny.

· 173,444 entries were submitted for the 2015 competition.

· In total since the founding of the competition in 2007, works have been submitted: 1,097,012.

Alexandra Kulak, Professional competition, category “Current events. The bats. SWPA-2016

Alexander Semenov, Professional competition, category "Environment". Alien world. SWPA-2016

Dmitry Belyakov, Professional competition, category "Portrait". Special forces veterans. SWPA-2016

The capital of our Motherland - Moscow is beautiful from a bird's eye view. There are many viewing platforms in the city, the most modern of which is located on the 56th floor of the Empire skyscraper in Moscow City. Numerous travel agencies offer excursions to the top, but you can get there on your own without booking an excursion. We will tell you how to get to the Moscow City observation deck in the next article.

Moscow City

Moscow City is a place loved by many for its hi-tech style and the image of a modern metropolis. It's true, being in the territory of this city of glass and concrete, you can't believe that you are in Russia, and not in Chicago or Hong Kong. Social media are full of photographs against the backdrop of Moscow skyscrapers. Many people think that going up to the observation deck of a skyscraper, they will see something special. But is it?

When can I get to the Moscow City observation deck

You can get to the observation deck with a tour from the agency (prices from 1000 rubles) or independently come to the Empire tower and purchase a ticket to the observation deck for 700 rubles. If you arrive in the morning on a weekend, you can save money and go up to heaven for only 500 rubles (specify). This price includes an excursion.
Before visiting the Moscow City lookout, we recommend that you first study the opening hours of the lookout.
You can get to the observation deck on weekends from 10 am to 10 pm. On weekdays, the observation deck is open from 6 pm to 10 pm. The rise at 22 is made without a guide. Tours run every hour. But it's better if you specify the details on the official website of the observation deck in the City, you never know!

Moscow City. Schedule

How to find the Empire Tower, where the Moscow City observation deck is located

The observation deck in the City is located in the Empire Tower.
Finding her is pretty easy.
The first thing we need is to get to the Vystavochnaya metro station or the Delovoy Tsentr metro station. Further, from the metro, follow the signs to the Bagration bridge. You do not need to go to the bridge itself, that is, we must stay on this side of the river.

If you arrive by car, keep in mind that parking near the City is paid (100 rubles per hour, specific opening hours - on weekdays from 20-00, on weekends from 11 am). In general, you should not go here by car.

Here is a diagram posted on the official website. As you can see, it is possible to reach the Empire Tower through the second floor of Avimol, but in our opinion it is easier to do it from the Bagration Bridge.

towards the city

Along the way, you will see a guard's booth with the inscription Empire Tower.

Security guard

We turn right and approach the skyscrapers. Visually, the Empire looks like this: oval and green. If you look up, your head may involuntarily spin.

skyscrapers

On your right hand you will have the Evolution tower, twisted in a spiral (you don’t go there), and on the left - the Empire tower.

empire tower

Feel free to come in and go to the reception desk. This is where you can buy lift tickets. By the way, ticket prices bite - an adult costs 700 rubles, a child 400 rubles. Children under 7 years free.

By the way, on the first floor of the Empire there is an interesting art object - a huge watering can camera. there are usually a lot of people who want to take a picture.

Lake's camera

We are waiting for the group and take the high-speed elevator to the 56th floor. I recommend that you stock up on candy or chewing gum at the time of the lift on the elevator - it really fills your ears.

What will we see at the observation deck of the City

You've probably rolled out your lip already, brought a selfie stick with you, hoping that your photos will collect a lot of likes... But don't flatter yourself! The empire tower is surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers, so you can only see something from one side of the empire.

Entrance to the observation deck

All beautiful pictures, which are shown to us in the booklets, are taken by professional photographers with a zoom of at least 200 mm.
Why are we paying so much money? Yes, here's what: the guide will tell you about the construction of Moscow City, what was the original idea of ​​the complex and what is being done now, will demonstrate the features on the layout. The story is interesting. They will also tell you a little about what is to the left and right of the skyscraper.

Moscow city is fashionable. There is practically no one over 45 years old.

Model Moscow City

So-so layout, only children like it.

Lookout Moscow City

On the lookout

For the rest of the time, you'll be walking around the unfinished concrete-ceilinged space, and if you're lucky, you'll see a small exhibition upstairs.

Observation deck Moscow City

There are skyscrapers all around, you will even see the sunset like this.

Or like this.

As in the famous song "Skyscrapers, skyscrapers, and I'm so small."

skyscrapers

skyscrapers

skyscrapers

People are trying to take pictures.

On the lookout Moscow city

The most lucky here are photographers with telephoto lenses. Here's what you can see and approach.

Moscow State University building

View from the Moscow-City lookout

View from the Moscow-City lookout

Luzhniki

Lookout Moscow City

Alternative views of Moscow City

In our opinion, a much more picturesque observation deck on the City is located on the opposite bank. Of course, you won’t see Moscow from a bird’s eye view, but the view of the complex of skyscrapers is fabulous. Particularly spectacular shots can be taken in the evening or morning. It is always crowded, but there is enough space for everyone.

Moscow City in the evening

Moscow City in the evening

Perhaps it makes sense to climb the Moscow City observation deck once to form your opinion. But we noticed for ourselves a more interesting pastime on Presnenskaya embankment - a boat trip, the pier of which is located near the same Bagration bridge. Tickets are sold in the lobby at the entrance to the bridge from the City side, one of the ticket offices is near the Tree of Life sculpture.
Personally, I like the view of the City more than the view from it!

The observation deck on Sparrow Hills is perhaps the most famous observation deck from where you can look at the panorama of the capital. This is what numerous guests of the city do, and the residents of Moscow do not lag behind - the views from here are really worthy of attention. Especially when you know where and what to look at, all the most iconic points of the city appear in a whole exciting story.

The site is part of sightseeing tour around the city, a favorite place for wedding photographers, a walking alley for students of Moscow University (whose main building is very close by), moms with strollers, romantic couples, and even a long-standing meeting place for bikers.

Sparrow Hills (in Soviet times they were called Leninsky for a long time, and only in 1999 the historical name returned) is considered the right side of the Moskva River in the south-west of the city. Geographically, this area is located quite high (it is considered one of the seven hills on which, as you know, Moscow stands). The meandering river washes away the high hilly bank, nourishes the beautiful forest around, which makes this place one of the most picturesque areas of the city.

The observation deck was designed during the construction of the university complex and was built along with it from 1949 to 1953. The project was led by Vitaly Ivanovich Dolganov, a well-known Soviet architect who took an active part in the greening of Moscow and the creation of the landscape and park culture of the city.

Muscovites adore this place on the days of big holidays, when fireworks rumble over the city. On Sparrow Hills there is a "mission control center" - the main headquarters, from where they command all the fireworks of the city. Here you can clearly see not only the “local” fireworks, but also a multidimensional picture when you simultaneously observe fireworks throughout the city. For the sake of this opportunity, photographers and video operators come here.

In recent years, the observation deck has become even more comfortable than before. There were coffee houses on wheels, snack machines. The site is beautifully lit at night. The territory is patrolled by a squad of police, however, do not turn off your vigilance - the city of many millions attracts a variety of "characters".

Attractions

It makes sense to go to Sparrow Hills for at least two reasons: to look at the sights of Moscow from a height of flight and relax in nature.

Cable car on Sparrow Hills

From the observation deck you can clearly see several embankments - Novodevichy and Berezhkovskaya, Vorobyovskaya and Luzhnetskaya, connecting them with bridges.

Directly behind the stadium, the multi-colored domes of St. Basil's Cathedral stand out, you can see part of the Kremlin bell towers, the power of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Here you can also see another landmark of modern Moscow - a huge figure of Peter I, installed on the arrow of the "Red October", a very odious work of Zurab Tsereteli. Right there in the gap - the third "Stalin skyscraper" - near the Red Gates, and the famous Sechenov Medical University.

If you move from the central part of the panorama to the right, you can immediately see the fourth "high-rise" - the house on Kotelnicheskaya, the oldest residential complex on the embankment, living in which in the middle of the last century was a sign of special elite. The house is familiar to many - he played an important role in the popular Soviet film "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears".

If you move your eyes further, it is difficult to miss the Shukhov TV Tower - an engineering project of incredible courage and implementation, created in the 20s of the last century. At the moment, the tower is practically not used for its intended purpose and is left as a historical monument.

Even more to the right can be found in the panorama of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences - a high-rise building with 22 floors, built in the 1990s.

In a word, it is difficult even to name another place, in addition to the observation deck on Sparrow Hills, from where you can see so many sights of the capital at once and understand how they relate to each other.

Panoramic view of Moscow from the observation deck on Sparrow Hills - Google Maps

Attractions Sparrow Hills

If you have reached the observation deck, be sure to look interesting places around. First of all, of course, the territory of Moscow State University, which is still the main stronghold of science and classical education in Russia. The main building of Moscow State University (it's hard to miss, it dominates the entire space around) has its own observation deck. The site is located at an altitude of 200 meters (24th floor). True, it will no longer be possible to get there for free - access is allowed only as part of an excursion group.

For connoisseurs of nature, the territory of Vorobyovy Gory is almost ideal: there is a botanical garden of Moscow University, the embankment of the Moskva River, Andreevsky Pond, many pleasant trails and routes: no matter which way you go, it’s great walking everywhere.

How to get to the observation deck

Kosygina Street can be considered a landmark for getting to the observation deck of the Sparrow Hills. Entrance to the site is absolutely free from anywhere in the street - free of charge and around the clock. Even binoculars here, giving 15x magnification, are available completely free of charge, which is a rarity these days.

View of the observation deck from Kosygin Street — panorama Yandex Maps

How to get there

The main landmark for the observation deck is the main building of Moscow State University (this is Universitetskaya Square). Very few passes directly near the University public transport. A trolleybus (route No. T7), which follows Kosygin Street, can take you right to the place. You can get off at the "Observation deck" or "Universitetskaya square" stops. Also on the square near the main building of Moscow State University, bus number 111 stops. From here you will need to walk about 500 meters to the observation deck. For more information, see the Mosgortrans website.

A funicular will soon open on Sparrow Hills, where you can climb from the embankment. It will start from the Luzhniki Arena and include 3 stations (one on the left bank, one on the right, and one on top).

Trolleybus stop near the observation deck — Yandex Maps panorama

Metro to Vorobyovy Gory

The most guaranteed way to get around Moscow (in terms of calculating travel time) is the metro. The observation deck of Sparrow Hills is located near the Sokolnicheskaya Vetka metro station of the same name. Leaving the metro, follow the signs - you need to exit towards the embankment.

From the metro to the observation deck is about 1.5 kilometers - you can easily walk them. It is more convenient to do this not along the main road, but to “cut off” the path by walking along the eco-trail. It is difficult to get lost here - there are signs along the way.

The coordinates of the observation deck for the navigator: 55.709315, 37.542163.

You can also get to the observation deck on Sparrow Hills by taxi. There are plenty of opportunities for this in the capital. There are mobile applications to call a taxi, such as Yandex. Taxi, Uber, Gett, Maxim, Rutaxi. Also, if you drive, you can use the car sharing system (car rental service) - Delimobil, Anytime, YouDrive and others.

Video: Vorobyovy Gory from a height (drone shooting), review

Observation platforms in the city of Moscow have become a favorite place for walks of residents of the capital and tourists. Among the most visited are the Ostankino TV tower, the site on Sparrow Hills, the Patriarchal and Picturesque bridges. You will learn about the most popular viewing platforms from this article.

Observation deck on Sparrow Hills (MSU)

Visitors can admire the beautiful panorama of the city, in the center of which is the Luzhniki Arena, and then the bell tower of the Novodevichy Convent, the Moscow City business center, the Ostankino and Shukhov TV towers, the building of the Russian Academy of Sciences and much more.

Photo 1. Observation deck on Sparrow Hills in Moscow

Observation decks in Moscow City (Federation and Empire towers)

The first of them is represented by two high-rise buildings "West" and "East", which are equipped with several viewing platforms (at the 62nd level of the "West" tower (235 meters) and at the 89th level of the "East" tower (325 meters)).

Observation deck on the tower "Empire" located at level 58 (238 meters above the ground).

• site address in Moscow City - Presnenskaya embankment;
• how to get there - metro station Vostochnaya and Mezhdunarodnaya (further - on foot).

Observation deck on the Ostankino tower

• site address - Volkhonka, 15 (ХХС);

Observation deck on the high-rise "Triumph Palace"

LCD "Triumph Palace" got into the Guinness Book of Records due to the fact that it became the tallest residential building on the European continent. From its upper floors a breathtaking view of the central part of the city of Moscow opens up. The building was designed in the spirit of monumentality, characteristic of the architecture of the Stalin era, in the decor corresponding to that time. The height of the building is just over 264 meters (including the spire).

The observation deck itself is located at an altitude of 200 meters above the ground. Unfortunately, getting here is not easy: only with the permission of the concierge or with the goodwill of a local resident.

• site address - Chapaevsky lane, 3;
• how to get there - metro station Sokol or Airport.

Observation deck - Patriarch's bridge

• site address - Volkhonka, 15 (behind the KhHS);
• how to get there - Kropotkinskaya metro station.

Observation deck of the bar-restaurant "City Space Bar & Lounge"

This observation deck is located on level 34 (height 140 meters) of the Red Hills Hotel. Panoramic window openings allow you to see Moscow from a bird's eye view, as well as have a great time in the company, enjoying French and Japanese national cuisines.