Winners of the 2014 National Geographic Photography Contest
Grand Prize and People Winner
Photo and caption by Brian Yen / National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“A Node Glows in the Dark”
In the last ten years, mobile data, smartphones and social networks have forever changed our existence. Although this woman stood at the center of a jam-packed train, the warm glow from her phone told the strangers around her that she wasn’t really there. She managed to slip away from “here” for a short moment; she’s a node flickering on the social web, roaming the Earth, free as a butterfly. Our existence is no longer stuck to the physical here; we’re free to run away, and run we will.
Location: Hong Kong
Nature Winner
Photo and caption by Nicole Cambré /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“The Great Migration”
Jump of the wildebeest at the Mara River.
Location: North Serengeti, Tanzania
Places Winner
Photo and caption by Triston Yeo /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Bathing in Budapest”
The thermal spa in Budapest is one of the favorite activities of Hungarians, especially in winter. We were fortunate to gain special access to shoot in the thermal spa thanks to our tour guide, Gabor. I love the mist, caused by the great difference in temperature between the hot spa water and the atmosphere. It makes the entire spa experience more surreal and mystical.
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Honorable Mention Nature
Photo and caption by Christian Miller /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
On a windy day right after a Cyclone passed the far northern Great Barrier Reef I took some friends out to the reef. Never before I saw that many glass fish on this particular coral ‘bommie’ . Just when I setup my camera, this Napoleon Wrasse swam right through the school of fish building a living frame.
Location: Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Flynn Reef, Australia
Honorable Mention Nature
Photo and caption by Henrik Nilsson /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Shoulder Creek”
A wild short-eared owl completes a shoulder check in case something was missed. Northern harriers were also hunting in the field and these raptors will often steal a kill from the owls.
Location: Boundary Bay, BC, Canada.
Honorable Mention Nature
Photo and caption by Maie Kirnmann /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Dragon”
Ice art on the window.
Location: Estonia Tabasalu
Honorable Mention Nature
Photo and caption by Prashant Meswani /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Stag Deer Bellowing”
Stag Deer Bellowing in Richmond Park.
Location: Richmond Park, London, UK
Honorable Mention Nature
Photo and caption by Archna Singh /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Muscle Power”
This playful fight amongst two young sub adult Tigers was indeed a brilliant life time opportunity that lasted exactly 4-5 seconds. The cubs were sitting in the grass as dusk approached when suddenly one of them sneaked up behind the other and what happened next is captured in this image.
Location: Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
Honorable Mention Nature
Photo and caption by Zik Teo /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Zebras and the rim of the Crater”
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, is the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera. It is a collapsed volcano that harbours a range of African wildlife that live in relatively close proximity and competition of each other. Zebras are amongst the most common animals in the crater along with wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, and lions. On a clear day, a 360º view of the crater rim can be seen whilst being inside.
Location: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by Abdullah Alghajar /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Children in the darkness”
Disabled children living in Syria war.
Location: Syria – Termanin
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by mattia passarini /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Biltigiri”
The chef of Ramnami people in Chhattisgarh, India. Ramnami tattoo the name of the lord “Ram” on their body. Their entire focus is on the name of Ram, the name of God that is most dear to them. The Ramnami Samaj is a sect of harijan (Untouchable) Ram. Formed in the 1890s, the sect has become a dominant force in the religious life of the area. The tattoo is the result of their devotion and also, a gift and an acknowledgement from Ram.
Location: India, Chhattisgarh
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by Adam Birkan /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Temper”
A young girl throws a temper tantrum in a Bangkok shopping mall. June, 2014.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by Nick Riley /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Dead Sea Mudbathing”
Seekers of eternal youth coat themselves in mineral-rich mud, at the Dead Sea in Israel.
Location: Dead Sea, Israel
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by K /National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Tea Time in the Hut”
Little discussion with a doll in a plastic box, not inherently beautiful. But with this slice of light, it looks like a bubble invented to dream in an imaginative world.
Location: Paris
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by Roberto Fiore / National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Waiting”
He was waiting on the bed, lost in thoughts, while his wife was preparing the bread to be blessed for the orthodox Eucharist.
Location: Village of Sarbi, Maramure (Romania)
Honorable Mention People
Photo and caption by Tyler G / National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“My brothers and I”
Our road trip down to Miami traversed this outlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We rested on this ridge overlooking the mountains. Though we argued consistently throughout the journey, here we were reminded of our brotherhood.
Location: Blue Ridge Parkway
Honorable Mention Places
Photo and caption by Sergey Ponomarev / National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Destroyed Homs”
Birds fly over the destroyed houses in Khalidiya district in Homs, Syria. In the vast stillness of the destroyed city center of Homs, there are large areas where nothing moves. Then, suddenly, wind blows a ripped awning, or birds fly overhead.
Location: Homs, Syria
Honorable Mention Places
Photo and caption by Aytül AKBAŞ / National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“The Storm”
During I was taking photo with my nephew, the storm came and I caught this beautiful moment.
Location: Kocaeli, Turkey
Honorable Mention Places
Photo and caption by Peter Franc / National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest
“Tokyo – Shinagawa Station”
I was up at an ungodly hour to make it to the Tsukiji Fish Market, in Tokyo. With so many amazing things to see in the city, I had hardly slept, and managed to get off at the wrong station. Wave after wave of people kept coming through the station passageway. I spied a coffee shop with a vantage point and managed to snap a free shots, camera resting on the ledge. After the caffeine kicked in, i was ready to brave the river of people…
Location: Shinagawa Station, Tokyo, Japan