One of our very favorite photo contests has just kicked off! The 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest brings out the most breathtaking shots in travel photography. This year, the prizes are really exciting! The grand prize winner will receive an eight day National Geographic Photo Expedition to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal for two while the second place winner gets a six day National Geographic Photo Expedition to explore winter wildlife in Yellowstone.
The contest is open from now till Tuesday, June 30 at 12pm EDT. Judging is based on creativity and photographic quality. There are four categories: Travel Portraits; Outdoor Scenes; Sense of Place; and Spontaneous Moments. Throughout the contest, photo editors will share their favorite entries every week at natgeo.com/travelerphotocontest.
Now, courtesy of National Geographic, here are some stunning early entries. Photographers, make sure to enter this contest before it's too late!
Above: Camping On The Diving Board
As technology shrinks the world around us, it becomes more and more difficult to find ourselves truly lost in the outdoors. This makes those particular moments and scenes that much more special. Getting to the Diving Board was quite a challenge, as there is no official trail. For anybody who is prepared, careful, and respectful of nature, the reward is one of the most breathtaking views in all of Yosemite, in my opinion.
Photo and caption by Matthew Saville / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Last Light on Godafoss, Iceland
I had a tripod set up on Godafoss waterfall in Iceland last month. I used a 10 stop ND filter to capture the movement of the water as the sun set in the distance.
Photo and caption by Ed Graham / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Jal Mahal During Sunrise
Beautiful view of Jalmahal during sunrise. I wanted to capture the palace and other two water structures also in the frame. Thats why I have used an ultra wide angle lens to capture this frame. Not many tourists visit the place at dawn, so the location is bit peaceful early in the morning. And locals visit the lake in the morning and feed the pigeons and fish in pond. These pigeons keeps flying across the lake once in a while, which I used to fill my frame.
Photo and caption by Ravikanth Kurma / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Frozen in Time
Ice cave at the Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland.
Photo and caption by Shane Wheel / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Lighting up the Night
I was out in the Arches National park to take night pictures but the clouds moved in. I waited for about two hours in the car and finally the sky cleared and I got this image. This selfie image was shot at the windows section.
Photo and caption by Manish Mamtani / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Colours of Earth
People in Dharavi slum in Mumbai work hard, producing mostly recycled articles and pottery. The posture of these two women at the local pottery store, taking a short break for conversation, express dignity, while the colours of their saris perfectly blend with the scenery.
Photo and caption by Maja Bednas / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Ocean World
Birdview of a surfer in the famous beach of Praia Mole located in Florianopolis, Brazil. This image has been made with the help of a drone.
Photo and caption by Chris Schmid / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
When Conditions Are Right
Giant waves converge and jump together along the napali coast of Kauai. An early season northwest swell and the position of the autumn sun made this shot possible, but what really makes it special to me is the bird flying in the corner of the frame. This little moment of life adds balance to the image and reminds me that the mundane often make the spectacular.
Photo and caption by Lee Scott / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
White Rhinos
The night before this photo, we tried all day to get a good photo of the endangered white rhino. Skulking through the grass carefully trying to stay 30 feet away to be safe, didn't provide me the photo I was hoping for. In the morning however, I woke up to all three rhinos grazing in front of me.
Photo and caption by Stefane Berube / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
