Photos on show include those by Malaysia-based photographer Palani Mohan, 2010 Sony World Photography Awards winner in the professional category, and Russian photographer Alex Chebotar, winner in the amateur category.

An international photography festival opens on 14th October, offering portfolio evaluation and extended talks with top Chinese photographers. Wang Jie reports.

Amateur photographers, professionals, students and everyone who loves a great image are expected to attend the first World Photography Festival and Exhibition opening today at 18 Gallery inside Bund 18.

The exhibition running through Saturday will showcase the winning images from the 2010 Sony World Photography Awards, the Student Focus Program, UNICEF, A Photo Pledge for Children's Rights and a selection of past Sony winners.

Highlights will include a special portfolio workshop and critique (anyone can have a portfolio evaluated for 20 minutes), a multi-media seminar and discussions with veteran photographers such as Rong Rong and Yao Lu.

The idea is to "learn, master and market." The event, open to professionals, amateurs and students, is the first of four new annual international festivals created by the World Photography Organization.

The event will give photographers the opportunity to learn from the experts and master their photography as a business.

A series of talks and presentations will be held by Chinese and international industry experts including: Chen Guangjun (director of Gallery 798, Beijing), Ruth Eichhorn (GEO Magazine), Chang He (deputy director of Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post), Rong Rong (photographer and associate professor, School of Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing).