The winners of this year’s National Geographic Magazine Photo Competition has been announced and the photos, as always, are stunning. This year $10 000 was awarded to Brian Yen for winning the Grand Prize and a trip to the National Geographic headquarters where he will participate in its annual photography seminar. The categories are People, Nature and Places and the captions are written by the photographers themselves.
Honorable Mention, Nature. "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. Photographed in Boundary Bay, BC, Canada.
Honorable Mention, People. "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. Photographed in Paris.
Winner, Nature. "The Great Migration" Jump of the wildebeest at the Mara river. Photographed in the North Serengeti, Tanzania.
Honorable Mention, People. "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.
Honorable Mention, Places. "The Storm" During a photo session with my nephew, the storm came and I caught this beautiful moment. Photographed in Kocaeli, Turkey.
Honorable Mention, Nature. "Dragon" Ice art on a window in Tabasalu, Estonia.
Honorable Mention, People. "Children in the darkness" Disabled children living in Syria war. Photographed in Termanin, Syria.
Honorable Mention, Nature. "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. This playful fight amongst the siblings is what prepares them for their survival in the wild. The sheer power of the Tiger is beautifully captured in this image and portrays the sheer muscle power that these magnificent cats possess. May 5th, 2014, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Honorable Mention, Places. "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.
Honorable Mention, People. "Dead Sea Mudbathing" Seekers of eternal youth coat themselves in mineral-rich mud, at the Dead Sea in Israel.
Honorable Mention, Places. "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.
Honorable Mention, Nature. "Stag Deer Bellowing" Stag Deer Bellowing in Richmond Park, London.
Honorable Mention, People. "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.
Winner, Places. "Bathing in Budapest" The Thermal Spa in Budapest is one of the favorite activities of the Hungarian especially in winter. We were fortunate to gain special access to shoot in the Thermal Spa thanks to our tour guide, Gabor. I love how the mist caused by the great difference in temperature between the the hot spa water and the atmosphere. It makes the entire spa experience more surreal and mystical.
Honorable Mention, Nature. "Zebras and the rim of the Crater" Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, is the world's largest inactive volcanic caldera. It is a collapsed volcano that harbors 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 360 degree view of the crater rim can be seen whilst being inside.
Honorable Mention, People. "Waiting" He was waiting on the bed, lost in thoughts, while his wife was preparing the bread to be blessed for the orthodox Eucharist. Photographed in the village of Sarbi, Maramure (Romania).
Honorable Mention, Nature. 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 set up my camera, this Napoleon Wrasse swam right through the school of fish building a living frame.
Honorable Mention, People. "Temper" A young girl throws a temper tantrum in a Bangkok shopping mall. June, 2014.
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