In pictures: William Klein photography exhibition

PHOTOGRAPHER and filmmaker William Klein is to receive an outstanding contribution award for his work at a ceremony next month.

The New York born Klein will be presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award at the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards, which takes place on 26 April in London.

Klein is renowned for his innovative and confrontational photography techniques, employing a more markedly abstract style than that of his peers.

Training initially as a painter, the now-83-year-old was offered a post with American Vogue in his 20s. Klein later expanded into filmmaking: Who are you Polly Maggoo?, inspired by his time at Vogue, and Muhammad Ali The Greatest among them.