10 Breathtaking Photos from National Geographic's 2015 Photo Contest
Reminding us that the world is beautiful.
By Jessica Hamilton
The 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest is now accepting photo entries until November 16 in three categories: people, places, and nature. The grand-prize winner will have their photo published in National Geographic magazine, along with $10,000 and a trip to the National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January.
"National Geographic uses photography to inspire, illuminate and teach our readers about our world and beyond," said Sarah Leen, National Geographic's director of photography, in a news release. "The National Geographic Photo Contest is an exciting opportunity for our photo community to participate in documenting the Earth, its creatures and its people. We look forward to seeing photographs that are passionate, skillful, surprising and beautiful. I'm very excited about seeing the entries we receive this year."
From: SF Gate
Photo and caption by Ian Duncan.
"This was one of the most curious interactive squirrels I have ever come across. We sat down to enjoy the view and have a snooze and we were interrupted by this little guy scurrying over our camera bags. He was trying to reach for a friends camera that was also taking pictures just out of my frame."
Photo and caption by Alessandra Meniconzi / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"The famous Matterhorn (14,692-foot /4,478-meter) is an iconic emblem of Switzerland and Alps , but also the most-photographed mountain in the world. I want to add an element in the image that convey the eye to the pyramid shaped mountain. The best time to photograph the Matterhorn is during the sunrise when the top become red."
Location: Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland
Photo and caption by Adam Dorn / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"A year ago I discovered a place that glows with hundreds of fire flies on warm summer evenings. With the perfect weather I set out to capture what I had envisioned a year earlier. Waiting for darkness to consume the valley I watched as the fire flies began to come to life. Glowing here and there like the stars burning in the sky. With a group of hundreds of fire flies glowing in front of me I waited for our Milky Way galaxy to get in the right position. Arching just above the bluffs."
Location: Elmwood, Wisconsin, United States
Photo and caption by Steffen Flügel / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"This was shot in South Georgia in december '14. It was probably the most intense moment of my whole trip to antarctica - it's just overwhelming standing in there between hundreds of thousands of penguins - it's not a bad "minority feeling", but more of a peaceful reassurance that - at least in some places - our planet is still as beautiful as it was before mankind started having a go at it. THANK YOU to all those countries and individuals involved in keeping places like these intact!"
Photo and caption by jennifer jo stock / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"Whilst shooting the majestic Southern Stingray in the crystal clear water of the Sandbar in Grand Cayman, I was stunned when this newly wed couple arrived, the bride was still in her wedding dress! This shot "Dressed for Adventure" for me captures the beginning of a new life together, one where a couple will brave the troubles of the world hand in hand. The couple march confidently towards the clouds in the frame ignoring the beasts at their feet, this is an adventure they will seek together"
Photo and caption by A.M. Ahad / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"Bangladeshis sleep on the roof of a moving train as they rush home to their respective villaes to be with their families, in Dhaka, Bangladesh."
Location: Mymensingh, Dhaka, Bangladesh"
Photo and caption by J. Cho / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"I've got several lightning shots at horseshoe bend while I traveled this canyon last time but this is the most I like. The reason why I like is because the lightning has a solid line and I can actually see the lightning is hitting the hill and it also reflected in the water. It's just amazing and beautiful. In addition, I can see the actual movement of the storm in the picture that makes this scene alive."
Photo and caption by D. Briggs / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"A climber rappels into a crevasse while exploring the Hayden Glacier on Middle Sister in the Oregon Cascades. Entering these deep dark spaces makes a person consider the immense size, age, and power of these living rivers of ice. The Hayden glacier was far more broken up then normal for this time of year and crevasses like this one were abundant."
Taken on a Canon 7d with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens. June, 2015. Location: Sisters, Oregon, United States
Photo and caption by Javier Arcenillas / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"Rapa das Bestas is the name of an operation that involves cutting the manes of the wild horses who live free at the mountains in a semi-feral state and that are performed in the curros (enclosed which retain the horses) held in various locations in Galicia,Spain.The best known is the Rapa das Bestas of Sabucedo, in the city hall of A Estrada, which lasts three days: the First Saturday, Sunday and Monday in July."
Location: Sabucedo, Galicia, Spain
Photo and caption by Ross Barringer / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest
"I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to take a "tower tour" of the Golden Gate Bridge south tower. Just as I was about to take the long elevator ride back down, I saw an approaching cargo ship and I quickly set up my tripod for what was my very last shot atop the iconic bridge."
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
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