Italian photographer Tommaso Ausili came away as photographer of the year after winning the prestigious L'lris d'Or award in Cannes. His image "The Hidden Death" is a contemporary and heartwrenching look at the plight of sheep in an abottoir.
The Sony World Photography Awards are a fantastic global, annual awards programme for both professional and amateur photographers. The 2011 competition opens for entries on 28th May 2010. Give it a shot!

"The Hidden Death" by Tommaso Ausili