On tour: Best press photos

The World Press Photo exhibition opened in Sydney today, showcasing the best photojournalism from around the world.

The exhibition highlights the winners of one the most prestigious international contests in professional press photography. It has been running for over 50 years, and has been shown in Sydney since 1999.

78,083 entries were submitted to the 2007 competition by 4,460 photographers from 124 countries. They are judged by a "jury" in ten categories: Spot News, General News, People in the News, Portraits, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Arts and Entertainment, Contemporary Issues, Daily Life and Nature. Australians often feature among the winners, with two Sydney photographers taking out 2nd and 3rd prize in the Sports Action category this year.

Visitors can also take advantage of the People's Choice Competition by voting for their favourite image at the exhibition. The entry forms are in the form of postcards which are available at the show. The prize pack includes a Canon EOS-400D digital SLR camera and a Canon Pixma MP960 multifunction printer, valued at AU$2098.

The exhibition is at the State Library of New South Wales until May 31. It will then travel to Queensland where it will be shown for the first time in Australia outside Sydney at the Brisbane Powerhouse from June 10 to July 1.