The Final Selection Of Entries From The National Geographic 2015 Photo Contest

The National Geographic Photo Contest is accepting entries in three categories: people, places and nature. The grand-prize-winning image will be published in National Geographic magazine, and the winning photographer will receive $10,000 (USD) and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar.

Red Deer in Fall, England

Photo and caption by Sam Morris / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

After over an hour habituating, this stag became calm with my presence and allowed me to sit within a couple metres, letting me use a 24-104mm and bring out the details. An autumn wildlife spectacle photographed in Richmond, London.

Cormorants Fishing in the dark night

Photo by Weixin Shen / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Ukai Japan has a history of more than 1300, it is one of the traditional fishing method that has been done in countries such as China.People use cormorants to catch fish in the light of the lamp bonfire.

Angel in the sky

Photo and caption by Kristoffer Vaikla / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Stunning northern lights show in Estonia. I have never seen such spectacular show before. It is not everyday event to see northern lights in Estonia especially so mighty ones. This photo reminds me an angel with wings widely spread. Certainly there are some greater powers than human can imagine.

Let there be light

Photo and caption by Adrian Theze / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

It was one of those days, great for landscape photography as rain clouds raced across the sky leaving gaps for shafts of sunlight in between. I’d been watching the play of light of the mountainside as I drove but wanted a subject to make a photo. It was then I saw the church. I pulled off the highway, set up my tripod and waited. Finally, the church and the mountainside were bathed in that gorgeous soft late autumn light. It was just a moment but I was ready with the shutter release.

Red Fuji and Pink Lenticular Cloud

Photo and caption by Yuga Kurita / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Mount Fuji creates two types of lenticular clouds. One is called Kasagumo (umbrella cloud) and appears on top of Fuji. The other is called Tsurushigumo and shows up in the lee. Fuji created a huge Tsurushigumo this morning and it became pink just before the sunrise.

Shangrila Lake

Photo and caption by mohd irman ismail / 2015 National Geographic Photo

Shangrila Lake or Lower Kachura Lake in Skardu, Baltistan.

Tongariro and blue lake

Photo and caption by Stas Bartnikas / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Aerial shot was taken in Tongariro national park, New Zealand

Sewing the fishing net

Photo and caption by Pham Ty / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

In Vinh Hy Bay, two women become lost in the fabric of a fishing net. That was just a random moment when I came to the fishing village to shoot the lifestyle of the fisherman. While the men do their fishing, their wives stay at home and do the errands. When we were there, the ladies were sewing the fishing net for a new fishing season.

Purification

Photo and caption by Donny Herry / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Bathing ritual taken place in one of the main temple in Bali, Tirta Empul Temple. Its fresh spring water is believed as holy water to purify the body and soul.

Reti a Spasso

Photo and caption by Salvatore Valente / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

GHANA DUE GIOVANI PESCATORI TRASPORTANO LE RETI DA PESCA NELLA LORO IMBARCAZIONE

A little bit of Bear’s Paradise

Photo and caption by Kathleen Yap / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

I’ve loved watching wildlife documentaries since I was a kid. One of nature’s wonders that fascinated me the most was the annual return of Salmon to their birthplace for spawning…and the bears that live off of this phenomenon. To be able to see it happen in real life was just completely magical and struck a chord deep within. There were about 12 bears at the falls, but 6 that dominated the prime spots. It was peaceful between the bears as there was plenty of salmon to go around!

Gigantic bubbles

Photo and caption by Melissa Nordan / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

New favorite summer pastime… creating gigantic bubbles. Making them is fun; but, watching them pop is fascinating!

Eastern Bent-winged Bat

Photo and caption by Kei Nomiyama / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

During several years, researchers of Eastern Bent-winged Bat were looking for a winter colony area. We found a colony for propagation in summer first. But when winter comes, they have disappeared completely by a group. Researchers tagged about 800 bats. But when winter comes, any bats aren’t found. This phenomenon was mysterious for researchers. We found this valuable colony by search for several years. Canon EOS 5D Mark III + EF70-200mm F4L, 1/160, f/16, ISO3200, and Sunpak16pro Ring strobe.

Not even cold

Photo and caption by fisheyes alex / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Freediving session in Antarctica…not even cold!

A Sandy Disguise

Photo and caption by Eric K. / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

A line of elephants had just crossed the Chobe River on a hot day. As they relaxed by flicking cool sand on their backs, they were very aware to hide the youngest in the center of their grouping. For one moment though, this little one disguised in sand got through to give us a quick hello.

Sunset Above the Fog

Photo and caption by Vincent James / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

A warm and peaceful sunset above the fog at Mount Tamalpais, Northern California.

Baby calling

Photo and caption by Barbara Dall’Angelo / 2015 National Geographic Photo

A baby giraffe seems to call the mother under an incredible sky full of sun rays.

Himalayan Recolt

Photo and caption by Jérôme Gence / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

I took this photo during the recolt season. After recolting the wheat in the fields, they beat and filter it on the roof of their houses for the next winter.

The lookout

Photo and caption by Denis Dumoulin / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

A lined owl which watches the field attentively.

Kids and The Abandoned Pinisi

Photo and caption by gregarious kurniawan / 2015 National Geographic Photo

Centuries ago the Buginese and Makassarese people were famously known as the great sailorman. By using handmade wooden boat named Pinisi they explore the boundaries of the country even to Madagascar. Even today the lives of the people there are still familiar with the sea. I took this photo on an afternoon in The Port Paotere where childrens descendants of the great sailor playing in shipwreck.

Gentlemen in Petra

Photo and caption by dasha horita / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

I was walking on my way back from Petra when I saw these gentlemen standing at the perfect light spot.

Going home

Photo and caption by CHEE KEONG LIM / 2015 National Geographic Photo

A monk on his way home.

The Gathering of Clouds

Photo and caption by Piotr Fedorczyk / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Breathtaking view from Schwarzstockli (2293m) over this spectacular natural border of cantons of Glarus and St. Gallen, Switzerland, as seen on an Autumn weekend trek in early October 2015. All after being chased, caught up and left behind by that glorious mist that hopped from one valley to another, leaving me with this frame to awe at. The gathering of clouds.

Whale of a Tail

Photo and caption by Jamie Benson / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

Whale Watch, Provincetown, Sept 19, 2015. My family and I were out in Cape Cod to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday, and we took a whale watch for the first time in a decade. This baby whale put on quite a show for us with his rolls and waving and eventually swam under the bow of the boat, then dove and gave me this beautiful shot as he went under. I asked God for help in taking good photos on this trip, and he gave me this one that I couldn’t have imagined.

Measure Me

Photo and caption by Matthew Draper / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

A large, inquisitive and almost dangerously playful female Humpback whale calf measures me with her pectoral fin. This image was captured on a very wide fisheye lens, which doesnít quite show how close she really is. By measuring how close I am she can determine if her tail is going to come in contact with me as she swims past.

White Fox

Photo and caption by Manon Moulis / 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest

An arctic fox in frozen willows.