National Geographic’s 2015 Travel Photo Contest Winners Are Amazing
Over 18,000 photos from around the globe were entered into this year’s National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest, and between having their minds blown and their eyes richly rewarded, the judges managed to painstakingly whittle this down to a top ten. The categories fit pretty neatly into what we love about travel – Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, Spontaneous Moments and Travel Portraits.
The grand prize is an eight-day National Geographic photo expedition through Costa Rica and the Panama Canal with airfare for two, with other prizes including a photos expedition though Yellowstone Park, a six-day cruise and photography gift certificates. Have a peek at the stellar grand prize and merit winning photos below.
Winners
The first place winner was Anuar Patjane with his Whale Whisperers photo depicting divers with a humpback whale and her newborn calf in the waters of Mexico.
Faisal Azim took out the second place spot with this photo called Gravel Workmen, taken in Bangladesh.
Camel Ardah by Ahmed Al Toqi came in third. It depicts a traditional style of camel racing in Omar.
Runners up
This photo Sauna in The Sky depict a hothouse 2800 metres high in the heart of the Dolomites. It’s by merit winner Stefano Zardini.
This photo by Eduard Gutescu is aptly titled Romania, land of fairy tales.
The camelthorn trees of Deadvlei in Namibia are believed to be about 900 years old but have not decomposed because the environment is so dry. This stunning night shot is by Beth McCarley.
The power of few is an image of the endangered white rhinos captured by Stefane Berube.
Alain Schroeder’s image of traditional Indian wrestlers show the end of a workout where participants rest against the walls of the arena, covering their heads and bodies with earth and giving each other massages to soothe tired muscles and demonstrate mutual respect.
Sarah Wouters took this photo of two young boys in the Nong Khai Province, Thailand, trying to catch a duck.
Highlanders by Bartłomiej Jurecki show traditional methods of haymaking in Poland.
For the full list of entrants and winners, head here.
