The Syngenta photography award 2013 – in pictures

Jan Brykczynski, series title 'Árnes'. In its inaugural year, the award attracted over 450 submissions to the professional commission, which invited professional photographers to compete for a commission by submitting a series of photographs and an original proposal related to the rural/urban theme. For the open competition, which welcomed photographers of all levels, more than 2,500 entrants submitted their photographs Photograph: Jan Brykczynski/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

Jan Brykczynski, Poland. Series title: 'Árnes'. The Warsaw-based photographer spent months documenting the relationship between the small community and their natural surroundings Photograph: Jan Brykczynski/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

Jan Brykczynski, series title: 'Árnes'. The winning pictures and other entries can be seen at Somerset House, London, from 17-21 May 2013 Photograph: Jan Brykczynski/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

Pablo Lopez Luz (Mexico), a finalist from the professional category, highlights the effect that overpopulation and the chaotic development of a city has on its terrain, land and population with his series 'Terrazo' Photograph: Pablo Lopez Luz/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

Mimi Mollica (Italy) was one of the three finalists for the professional category with her series 'En Route to Dakar' Photograph: Mimi Mollica/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

André François (Brazil) was an open finalist for 'Being Productive is being Independent', in which a community in the Mukuru slum of Nairobi/Kenya learns agricultural techniques to grow their own food Photograph: André François/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

Holly Lynton (USA) was announced as winner of the open category for 'Sienna, Turkey Madonna', in which a farm worker embraces four turkeys that are to be slaughtered for Thanksgiving on an independent farm in the small town of Shutesbury, Massachusetts Photograph: Holly Lynton/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013

Vitaliy Popkov (Ukraine) was an open finalist with the image 'Energy Carriers', showing a woman carrying a bundle of sticks in the snow beneath imposing power lines Photograph: Vitaliy Popkov/The Syngenta Photography Award 2013