National Geographic annual Travel Photography of the Year contest is in its final week. To promote the competition, Nat Geo has released a final batch of submissions that are awe-inspiring as well as intimidating, if you were thinking of entering.
The location of the shots range from Italy to Iceland and show off the best views the world has to offer.
The grand prize-winner will not only be awarded the title of the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year, but will also receive a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari for two at Churchill Wild Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World.
You don’t have to be a Nat Geo photographer to enter, but you better get your entries in quick as the contest closes on Friday, May 27. Each submission costs US$15 per photo and you can submit as many shots as you want (or as many as your wallet allows). You can submit your photos here.
Time To Go Home 07 by David Nam Lip LEE
“The youngster are having fun at the roof top of the train. There are too many people who rushing home after the Bishwa Ijtema at Tongi train station of Bangladesh. Location: Banglades.”
Midnight Thirst by Alison Langevad
“In the still of a star lit night, buffalo cautiously approach to quench their thirst. A long exposure with light painting allows me to capture the moment forever. Location: South Africa”
The Colourful Ho Chi Minh City by King Fung Wong
“This is taken from the 12th floor of a hostel. Me and my friends were amazed how beautiful is the night view, let alone the vibrant side of Ho Chi Minh City in the morning. Location: Cây Bàng Một, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.”
Holi festival by Claudio Ceriali
“Holi, India’s festival of colors, is an ancient Hindu tradition that is celebrated around the world, with the biggest and most colorful gathering taking place in the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan in India. The unifying festival is a celebration of love and the arrival of spring and includes the singing of folk songs and traditional dances depicting the festival’s origins. Location: Mathura and Vrindavan, India.”
Rain in the Desert by Stefan Forster
“Over the last 7 years I had one aim – photograph rain in the driest desert of Africa. In 2015 finally I found the rain. In the breathtaking scenery of the Namibrand-Park right at the border of the Namib Naukluft Nationalpark. An enormous thunderstorm came in and the setting sun created a wonderful rainbow. The challenge was, to not have my shadow in the picture.”
- Stefan Forster / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest. Canon EOS 1Dx. EF600mm f/4L II USM + 1.4x III, 1/8000 sec at f/5.6. ISO 800
Snowy bride by Stephane Mangin
“Brave bride getting wed in the only day of snow in Tokyo, winter 2014.Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.”
On fire @ Pinnacles WA by Sam Yick
“Fire on the ROCKS!”
Gentle Giants by Kathleen Cameron
“Elephants hold onto each others tails as they walk the fields of The Crags Elephant Sanctuary, Plettenberg Bay. Location: Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa.”
Blue Lagoon by Slawek Kozdras
“People enjoying their time in the legendary Blue Lagoon outside of Reykjavik in Iceland. Location: Blue Lagoon, Iceland.”
Golden sunrise by Giovanni Modesti
“A beautiful sunrise in Tuscany.Location: San Quirico d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy.”
Mystical Forest by Tracey Jennings
“You don’t need to travel far from cities to visit Narnia. This 7 gill shark was photographed in a kelp forest just off the shore of Simonstown near Cape Town. Location: Simon’s Town, Western Cape, South Africa.”
Colorful Market by Kajan Madrasmail
“Colorful market in Bangkok city, Thailand. Location: Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand.”
First Light – Two Medicine Lake by Manish Mamtani
“Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana – We drove early morning from St. Mary’s Lodge to see the sunrise at Two Medicine lake in Glacier National Park. There were no clouds but the lake water was so calm, it created perfect reflection of the red light kissing the Sinopah Mountain. As there was no wind in the morning, the colorful rocks in the foreground were visible. Location: Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana.”
Cover image On the Top of the World by Boukhechina Malik
“The shot is the result of a magical, powerful instant seen from the top of Sonchaux (CH), a day when the clouds were particulary low. I though I was like immerged in a fairytale, out of every human scale.”