Although I could have shown you 10 amazing photos from this year’s 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest, sometimes one shot is enough. This one, taken by Nao Akimoto in Hokkaido Japan takes my breath away. It’s not too late to enter this contest. You could win a ten-day trip for two to the Galápagos Archipelago with National Geographic Expeditions.
The 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is rapidly coming to an end. Photographers, you now have only two days left to enter! This photo compilation was taken from Week 9 and Week 10 entries and they only include powerful wildlife shots.
The 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is accepting entries in one or all of four categories: Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action and Animal Portraits. The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions and two 15-minute image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors.
(If only I could take wildlife pictures as breathtaking as these. On a side note, I love close-ups of hummingbirds.)
Above:
Hummingbird
This lil humming bird baby was caught in my home. Here he is recouping from what was a stressful time being stuck. Minutes later her flew away.
Photo and Caption by Emily Riley/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Rush Hour
Thousands of snow geese take flight during a snowy morning fly out at Bosque del Apache, New Mexico It is loud and sounds like a passing train!
Photo and Caption by Eileen Johnson/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Polar Bear Reflection
As we cruised the ice fields near Prince Regent Inlet in the Canadian high arctic we came across a lone Polar Bear wandering across the ice seeking a meal.
Photo and Caption by Bill Klipp/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
I Am Angry
We arrived at one of the watering holes in Etosha National Park in the late evening. Four Lions were devouring a large kudu that they killed. A pack of hyenas appeared from the bush nearby attracted by the smell of blood and food for them. What ensued was a fight for the dead kudu between 4 female lions and 16 hyenas. Needless to say, in the end the hyenas won and got the prized kudu.
Photo and Caption by NingYu Pao/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Wet! Wet! Wet!
These Cheetah cubs didn’t seem to be enjoying the afternoon downpour. They ran close together as they tried to keep up with mum. I’d like to say that I kept dry taking this image but in order to capture the moment I had to lean out of the window, allowing the stair-rods of water into the vehicle and got drenched by doing so. Worth it though.
Photo and Caption by Gillian Lloyd/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Towards the Mist
A herd of frosty buffalos walking in the snow towards thick fog produced by the Yellowstone geothermal activity.
Photo and Caption by Meril D./2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Orphan Orangutan
The island of Borneo, which is split between the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, was once covered with a lush tropical rainforest, but in the wake of ongoing deforestation and the expansion of plantation farming, the habitats of the islandís endemic and endangered species are being destroyed rapidly. Relentless deforestation has precipitated the loss of 90% of the orangutan population in 100 years. At this rate, some expect this species to become extinct within the next 20 years.
Photo and Caption by Yosuke Kashiwakura/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
One of my favorite photo contests, the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year is soon coming to an end. A new selection of photos is now available, featuring entries from Weeks 7 and 8. The contest ends in about two weeks or on November 4.
The contest is accepting entries in one or all of four categories: Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action and Animal Portraits. The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions and two 15-minute image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors.
Enter before it’s too late! Here are some of my favorite shots.
Above: Killer Swimmer of the Sea
We tracked along the side of this orca swimming out of the Norwegian sea as it dove into and out of the water like a dolphin. The curvature of the water spray around its body truly gives testament to the aerodynamic build of these magnificent creatures.
Photo and Caption by Raj Gupta/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Laguna Tuyajto
Color show in the sky of Tuyajto Lagoon. Located in the Atacama Desert, Chile, this place is a spectacle of nature. The pond floor is formed by salt. The small formations are due to action of microorganisms that for thousands of years feed on the nutrients present there.
Photo and Caption by Victor Lima/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Size Matters
Size matters, Meerkats, Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari Botswana
Photo and Caption by M. Engelmann/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
The Greatest Scenery
Elephants in female leaders led slowly migrate, this is a scene of quiet and peaceful picture. This elephant is faced with the threat of poachers, if not to protect them, this may be the last of the greatest spectacular.
Photo and Caption by Yang Ming/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Stare Into My Eyes
This picture was taken in Bandung while this animal showed its beautiful, symmetrical feather. I’m taking a picture of it using my Leica. It seems that he wants to mate, but hmm, than he danced, shook its feathers. I love its natural, hypnotizing color. The green peacock is one endangered bird from Indonesia. Usually, their feathers are taken for house decorations. With photography, everyone can enjoy its beauty without endangering it. Just print it or save it on your desktop computer.
Photo and Caption by Octoyura Bamahry/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Walking in Silence
A typical african evening. Nothing special in Nxai Pan, Kalahari, Botswana
Photo and Caption by M. Engelmann/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Gently Fall
There is beautiful waterfalls in Akita Japan. I think it’s like Japanese culture as slender and strong.
Photo and Caption by Akinori Koseki/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Sandstorm
As I was photographing this young grey seal, we both got caught up in a sandstorm.
Photo and Caption by Eugene Kitsios/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Dancing in the Rain
Fox caught in action under the rain
Photo and Caption by Vladislav Kamenski/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Winterland
An other world on the top of this hill in Lapland. Snow ghosts are everywhere, we are only visitors. March 2016, Finland
Photo and Caption by Pierre Destribats/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Adelie Penguin Jumping Between Ice Floes
I saw these Adelie penguins jumping into the water at Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Peninsula. By the time I sat down on the beach to take a picture, they’d starting jumping to the next ice floe. Paul Goldstein says the Holy Trinity of wildlife photography is ‘dust, air and spume’, and this shot captures the ‘air’ bit!
Photo and Caption by Nick Dale/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Huangshan Falls
Captured this image in early morning in the Yellow Mountain China . Behind this image is a story , climbing at 3 am to reach the point of shooting , when I arrived I could see in the complete dark the effect of the white and slow motion of this cloud waterfall . My hope was when the sunrise come out this effect of the nature will still stand front of me . Lucky at 6.30 am the effect was still there the time I took the shot before it disappeared completely few minutes later.
Photo and Caption by Thierry Bornier/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
The 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is now underway! It kicked off on August 15 and will run until November 4. Photographers, if you win the grand prize, you’ll go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, 10 days for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions. They’re looking for photos that showcase the awe-inspiring and diverse natural world around us. Though both wildlife and landscape photos can be submitted, I’ve selected only top wildlife photos in my post. (I can’t help it, I love animals.) Enter now!
Above:
Bear Hug Brown Bears
Katmai National Park, Alaska
Photo and Caption by Aaron Baggenstos/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
The Best Spot on the Savannah
Female leopard gazing out over the savannah in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Photo and Caption by Natashia B./2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Curious Lions
Using a wide-angle lens (16mm) on our remote-controlled camera buggy results in the background being smaller in shot and appearing further away. We fire the camera shutter using the same remote-control transmitter that we use to drive the buggy, allowing us a range of a couple of hundred meters although we rarely sit more than fifty metres away from camera.
Photo and Caption by Kym Illman/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Let’s Picnic
Yellowstone National Park, west thumb geyser basin, a perfect spot for picnic, and I mean not for human.
Photo and Caption by Qian Wang/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Tundra Ghost
Snowy owls are among my favorite birds on the planet. Their elusive nature and elegant flight make them a crown jewel to photograph. Repetition and persistence proved to be the key with this image. Using a slow shutter speed of 1/50 to create this “wing blur” effect I took well over 1,000 unusable photos over three weeks in the field to make this one frame. In this case, the high risk came with a high reward.
Photo and Caption by Aaron Baggenstos/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Swamp Raccoon
While looking for alligators at a swamp in Louisiana, this beautiful little creature wanders out of the murky waters right into the morning light , pausing just long enough to capture.
Photo and Caption by Kim Aikawa/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Wildebeest Migration
This is a photo of Wildebeest during migration in the Serengeti.
Photo and Caption by Hugh McCrystal/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Priceless
Two very precious endangered beasts gracing me with their presence under the stars in South Africa. So many of these rhino are now being dehorned to save them from poachers that this photographic moment is even more precious to me. A long exposure for the stars while light painting the rhino as they drank makes for an amazing moment captured.
Photo and Caption by Alison Langevad/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
The winners of the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest have just been announced! Beating out over 10,000 entries, the grand prize went to Anthony Lau for his photo Winter Horseman. Lau’s incredible image is of a horseman showing off his skills in Inner Mongolia. Aren’t the silhouettes and the snowfall just breathtaking? Here’s Lau describing how he got the shot. “The snow was getting heavier, the wind was getting stronger, the morning snow was getting thinner and the light was moving away from its optimal position. I knew I only had a couple of shots to get the best out of this encounter. With a bit of luck, one of my final attempts managed to capture the moment when one of the riders charged out from the morning mist along with his horses.”
Lau takes home the grand prize, an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime trip. It’s a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari for two at Churchill Wild–Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World.
The quality of the entries in this contest is always outstanding. Congrats to all the winners. You can see all of the top entries below.
Photo above: Grand Prize and People First Place
Winter Horseman
The Winter in Inner Mongolia is very unforgiving. At a freezing temperature of minus twenty and lower with constant breeze of snow from all direction, it was pretty hard to convince myself to get out of the car and take photos. Not until I saw Inner Mongolia horsemen showing off their skills in commanding the steed from a distance, I quickly grab my telephoto lens and capture the moment when one of the horseman charged out from morning mist .
Photo and caption by Anthony Lau / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
People Second Place
Rooftop Dreams, Varanasi
I arrived at my guest house in Varanasi at 5:30am, I instinctively climbed the 7 sets of stairs to the rooftop (which happened to be the highest in the vicinity) to see the sunrise over the famous Ganges River. As the sun was rising I looked over the right hand side of the balcony and my jaw dropped with disbelief. Below were families – mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sister and dogs all sleeping on the top of their houses. It was mid summer in Varanasi and sleeping sans AC was difficult.
Photo and caption by Yasmin Mund / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
People Third Place
Remote Life at -21 Degrees
Kinnaura tribal old women in remote village in Himachal Pradesh carrying big log back home to warm up her house.
Photo and caption by Mattia Passarini / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
People Honorable Mention
Muscle Beach Gym
A weightlifter lifts a barbell loaded with heavy plates while a bodybuilder performs an aerial handstand at the Muscle Beach Gym in Venice Beach, CA.
Photo and caption by Dotan Saguy / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Nature First Place
Wherever you go, I will follow you!!
Romance is in the air. It was the time of day immediately following sunset. I heard a voice. “Wherever you go, I will follow you” the voice says.
Photo and caption by Hiroki Inoue / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Nature Second Place
Double Trapping
Picture taken in the Brazilian Pantanal… when I downloaded the CF did not want to believe it …. The nature knows we always give magnificent events but sometimes extraordinary.
Photo and caption by Massimiliano Bencivenni / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Nature Third Place
Lagunas Baltinache (Atacama Desert)
The Baltinache Ponds, also called Hidden Ponds are a set of seven salt ponds located in the area of the Salt Cordillera, near San Pedro de Atacama, in the second region of northern Chile, in the Atacama desert. After much research, I believe to be the first photographer to publish night photos of this place, but it is still necessary to confirm this information. Tech Details: Photography done in one shot. Foreground was illuminated by the moonlight.
Photo and caption by Victor Lima / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Nature Honorable Mention
Bears on a Berg
This photo was taken far out on the sea ice in the Davis Straight off the coast of Baffin Island. This mother polar bear and her yearling are perched atop a huge snow covered iceberg that got “socked in” when the ocean froze over for the winter. To me, the relative “smallness” of these large creatures when compared to the immensity of the iceberg in the photo represents the precariousness of the polar bear’s reliance on the sea and sea ice for its existence.
Photo and caption by John Rollins / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Cities First Place
Ben Youssef
Even though there were a lot of people in Ben Youssef, still here was more quiet and relaxing compare to the street outside in Marrakesh. I was waiting for the perfect timing to photograph for long time.
Photo and caption by Takashi Nakagawa / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Cities Second Place
Silenced
This photo was taken on my last trip to GuangZhou, China. This place is a school dormitories of South China Normal University. When I was hanging around, most of them were taking a break. After the lunch time, they need to go back to study. The dormitories were smelly and messy.
Photo and caption by Wing Ka H. / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Cities Third Place
Celestial Reverie
Lightning seemingly strikes Komtar Tower, the most iconic landmark of George Town, capital of Penang state in Malaysia. It is symbolic of the rejuvenation that the city, famous for a unique blend of centuries-old buildings and modern structures, has enjoyed in recent years. While many of its old neighbourhoods fell into neglect in the 1990s and early 2000s, UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2008 sparked a transformation, and today, they are all part of a vibrant tourist destination.
Photo and caption by Jeremy Tan / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year
Cities Honorable Mention
Divide
In the helicopter looking south on Central Park West – dividing the architecture and Central Park, on November 5th 2014, a day before my 27th birthday. The flight was my birthday gift.
Photo and caption by Kathleen Dolmatch / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Photographers, you now only have two days left to enter the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest! Last day is Friday, May 27. A final batch of images was just sent to us by National Geographic to show you what you’ll be up against. The grand prize winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari for two at Churchill Wild–Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. Yes, a polar bear safari! Imagine the pictures you could take! Don’t hesitate. Enter now!
Above:
…but I am not the only one
A lonely zebra in the midst of a field full of flowers. Near Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa.
Photo and caption by Yuval Ofek / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Colorful Market
Colorful market in Bangkok city, Thailand. Location: Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo and caption by Kajan Madrasmail / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Snowy bride
Brave bride getting wed in the only day of snow in Tokyo, winter 2014. Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Photo and caption by Stephane Mangin / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Mystical Forest
You don’t need to travel far from cities to visit Narnia. This 7 gill shark was photographed in a kelp forest just off the shore of Simonstown near Cape Town.Location: Simon’s Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Photo and caption by Tracey Jennings / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Midnight Thirst
In the still of a star lit night, buffalo cautiously approach to quench their thirst. A long exposure with light painting allows me to capture the moment forever Location: South Africa
Photo and caption by Alison Langevad / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
River Delta 6
One of a series of aerial shots taken from a helicopter over the fabulous river deltas in South Iceland. This one depicts the end of the journey for one river as it winds its way to the ocean. The brilliant colors are a result of mineral deposits picked up by the glacial waters. We were lucky to shoot on a gorgeously sunny day which really brought out the colors. Location: South Iceland
Photo and caption by Stephen King / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Blue Lagoon
People enjoying their time in the legendary Blue Lagoon outside of Reykjavik in Iceland. Location: Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Photo and caption by Slawek Kozdras / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
On the Top of the World
The shot is the result of a magical, powerful instant seen from the top of Sonchaux (CH), a day when the clouds were particulary low. I though I was like immerged in a fairytale, out of every human scale.
Photo and caption by Boukhechina Malik / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
The Colourful
Ho Chi Minh City This is taken from the 12th floor of a hostel. Me and my friends were amazed how beautiful is the night view, let alone the vibrant side of Ho Chi Minh City in the morning. Location: Cây Bàng Một, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Photo and caption by King Fung Wong / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
One of my favorite photo competition, The National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest is now well underway, and boy, do they have some spectacular nature entries. Photographers, you still have time to enter, images will be accepted until the end of the month, May 27. As they state, “Enter your most powerful photos for a chance to become the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Show us photos that tell the story of a place or reveal insights about what inspires you when you travel.” The grand prize winner gets to go on an amazing adventure, a seven-day Polar Bear Safari for two in Churchill, Canada. The contest has three general categories: Nature, Cities and People. Courtesy of National Geographic, enjoy these stunning entries under Nature.
Above: Spring in Japan. People love to walk in this blue carpet flowers (Nemophila blue flowers) at Hitachi seaside park in Ibaraki.
Danilo Dungo/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
This image was captured very early in the morning after climbing Yellow Mountain at 3 a.m. and waiting for few hours in the cold and wind at -4 degrees.
Thierry Bornier/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
This kookaburra has the perfect view of Sydney Harbour and the bridge in the background. This is quintessential Sydney and Australia.
Rune Svendsen/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Cherry blossoms like a Japanese painting. The smoke of the bonfire of old paper charms has brought a fantastic effect.
Katsuyoshi Nakahara/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Terraces Village in the Mist. Captured this image early morning waiting for one week until I get the right mood of light and fog. Location: Guizhou, China.
Thierry Bornier /National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
A cold night on the top of this hill in Lapland, near the Russian border waiting for the dancing lights in the sky. All around, snow ghost are watching, standstill.
Pierre Destribats/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Springbok in front of a dune of Namibian desert.
Doris Landertinger/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
This photo is shot shortly after sunrise at mesquite dunes. George Lucas has chosen this location for some scenes of Star Wars. The blue background is not the sky. These are mountains in the distance. Location: Death Valley, California.
Johannes Öhl/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Last December I sailed to Antarctica on a 54 feet long-haul steel vessel. As we entered the Polar Zone this was one of the first icebergs we saw. Sculpted by the wind and waves, majestic in scale and with a dazzling white colour with layers of deep blue. The sun makes a quick appearance through a hole in the clouds, just in time for this shot.
Massimo Rumi/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
I took this photo in July 2014 at Trollstigen in Norway. Standing there alone in the fog, I was waiting for the view to become clear. And then it happened, the fog disappeared and though it was 1 am already, one car came slowly up the steep serpentines. It was my dream for a long time to take a photo of lighttrails like this in Norway – and it was just an awesome feeling that it worked out on the most beautiful and famous street. A few minutes later the fog returned, even thicker than before.
Christoph Schaarschmidt/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
During a snow storm I decided to head over to Bryce Canyon National Park and enjoy the freshly fallen snow. Visibility was down to almost zero, but then I found this single tree right next to a snow drift and knew this would be my shot.
Yvonne Baur/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
I had heard a lot about how beautiful Uluru should look like when it rains. But I never believed that I would see it with my own eyes because the red center of Australia is a very arid area. That’s one of the reasons why Uluru is such a special place for the Anangu – the local aboriginal clan. If it rains, the water fills up the reservoirs around the rock, the only water source for several kilometers. This makes the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park to special place for lots of rare animals as well.
Christoph Schaarschmidt/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Amazing supercell produces over the town of Blackhawk, South Dakota back on June 1st 2015. Flash flooding would occur near Rapid City.
James Smart/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
It’s already that time of year! Time to kick off one of my favorite photo contests, The National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year! Photographers, come share your favorite travel experiences like that shocking face to face encounter with a polar bear or that magnificent erupting volcano. The grand prize winner will receive a 7-day Polar Bear Safari for two at Churchill Wild-Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World.
You have about a month to enter. National Geographic will accept submissions until May 27. Courtesy of National Geographic, here are some early entries.
Above: Wherever you go, I will follow you!!: Romance is in the air. It was the time of day immediately following sunset. I heard a voice. “Wherever you go, I will follow you” the voice says.
Location: Biei, Hokkaido, Japan
Photo and caption by Hiroki Inoue/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Impala at Sunrise Impala silhouetted as the sun rises in the Masai Mara, Kenya.
Location: Masai Mara, Kenya
Photo and caption by Kellie Netherwood/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Dronie – Selfie taken with a Drone: This image is an aerial selfie image. We laid down on the bridge covered with snow and flew the drone above us to take this image.
Location: Mittersill, New Hampshire, United States
Photo and caption by Manish Mamtani/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Ballet dancer: When a Japanese larch’s twig was exposed to illumination, looked like hands and feet. It was like the ballet dancer.
Location: Biei, Hokkaido, Japan
Photo and caption by Hiroshi Tanita/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Lioness @ Sunset: Lioness (Panthera leo) at sunset, Vumbura Concession, Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa.
Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa
Photo and caption by Marja Schwartz/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Face to Face: A polar bear on Wahlenbergfjorden off of Svalbard. I was in a zodiac off shore when he sauntered down to the beach to sniff us out. Soon losing interest, he retreated for a nap and we left him in peace.
Location: Haugen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Photo and caption by Ari Ross/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Bond Between Friends: Shot in Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, Shimoga, India. This camp works towards rehabilitating rescued elephants from circuses and human animal conflict zones. The elephants are trained here by experienced Mahouts and forms a lasting bond between the two. Every morning these Mahouts get their elephants for a bath in the nearby river. This is also when people are allowed to interact with the elephants.
Location: Shimoga, Karnataka, India
Photo and caption by Aditya D. /National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Peaks & Penguins in Antarctic Sunrise: Stunning peaks & thousands of King Penguins on South Georgia in soft early sunrise. The photography challenge was to resist shooting only Penguin close-ups (very tempting for sure) & step back occasionally to be equally amazed by the landscape in which they live. Special Bonus: It was 100 years to the month that Shackelton’s boat (Endurance) finally went under the Antarctic pack ice (Nov 1915), precipitating his epic traverse of South Georgia, before finding help at nearby Stromness (1916).
Location: South Georgia
Photo and caption by Shivesh R./National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Jonas Blizzard and the Flatiron Building: While walking through the Jonas Winter Storm that swept across the East Coast last week, I captured this shot of the Flatiron Building against a backdrop of swirling snow. With the exception of a few minor details like logos and a food cart, the image looks like an impressionist right out of another another century. The cloudy atmosphere and gusty winds creates patterns that appear uncannily like brush strokes.
Location: New York City, New York, United States
Photo and caption by Michele Palazzo/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
La Fournaise volcano: The last eruption of LA Fournaise Volcano, Réunion Island.
Location: Saint-Denis, Reunion, Reunion
Photo and caption by Gaby Barathieu/National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Lately, I’ve been scooping up photography books left and right, trying to learn as much as I can about the craft. One of the books I’ve enjoyed the most is called Getting Your Shot by National Geographic. Back when I was with My Modern Met, I wrote countless posts about National Geographic’s online photo community called “Your Shot.” This book reveals the inside stories on how those photographs submitted to the Your Shot community were made and it also gives invaluable tips on how to set up your photos.
Here are 16 of my favorite tips.
1. Scenes evolve. Follow your subject until you are out of time or your subject is out of patience. Then go one step more.
2. You don’t have to go far to get a great photo. Keep an eye out for graphic elements that surround you every day.
3. Photograph the people and things you love.
4. Consider using your camera to create a visual diary.
5. Show the relationships between the animals and the people in your photographs by looking for expressions of love, interdependence, and gratitude. Capture the connection.
6. If possible, layer images with movement in the background. This will add weight and interest to your composition.
7. Tourists often take photos they are “supposed to” take but forget to document the real-life elements of their visit. When you travel, immerse yourself in the city and capture mundane moments-such as subway rides-and you’ll have more honest pictures when you return home.
8. Nature is beautiful, but people add a complementary dimension. Consider including people in nature scenes for added interest.
9. Take pictures of the everyday moments in your life. These images end up being some of the most personal and powerful because we approach them with such intimacy.
10. With your eye in the viewfinder, take a minute to look around at what you’re including in your composition before hitting the shutter. Take out what’s distracting or unnecessary in the image.
11. A good place to start when taking pictures is to determine where the best light is in the scene. Then stick around to see what happens in that spot.
12. The famous French photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson said that every situation has its decisive moment: you watch as something builds and wait for that peak. Applying the idea of a moment to your photography will make you a more observant and connected image maker. The moment trumps everything. The waiting is the hardest part.
13. Get close, and then get closer. Sometimes your best zoom lens is your feet.
14. Make sure everything in the picture is relevant to the image.
15. Eye contact often makes for more compelling photos of people and animals.
16. Take a step back. Don’t always go for the obvious. Look for different angles. Spend time taking in the scene and allowing it to unfold. Then shoot like mad.
Photo by Ankit Narang – Delhi, India
To celebrate the arrival of spring, which technically started yesterday (March 20th), National Geographic has created a gallery of cherry blossom photos. All of the photos were submitted through Your Shot, National Geographic’s photography community. I’ve always loved seeing cherry blossoms in photos, the stunning pink color of the blooming flowers make for stunning shots. Soon, I’d like to take my kids to the LA Arboretum so that they can experience these in person. Check out a recent maternity photo shoot there by Love & Lemonade photography.
Here’s a quick few facts about cherry blossoms (or sakura in Japanese): They’re the unofficial national flower of Japan. Cherry blossoms symbolize clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse. They’re a metaphor for the ephemeral beauty of life, an aspect of Japanese cultural tradition that is often associated with Buddhist influence.
The Travel Channel put together a list of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the US. On the west coast, there’s a cherry blossom festival in San Francisco. This year it’s being held from April 9-10 and April 16-17. This annual festival — the second largest festival outside of Washington, DC – attracts an annual crowd of more than 200,000 people. Have you been? Sounds like a fun festival to celebrate something so beautiful.
Above: Old Couple An old couple was enjoying the most beautiful moment of a year. Photography and caption by Joe Ishikawa/ National Geographic Your Shot
Sakura River Inokashira park where some Japanese celebrate their hanami party under the tree of cherry blossom. Photograph and caption by Danilo Dungo/ National Geographic Your Shot
Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival. Photography and caption by Ryan WH/ National Geographic Your Shot
Chidorigafuchi Chidorigafuchi is one of the popular spots for cherry blossoms (sakura) viewing. It is just a couple of stations away from our office. Seven springs had already passed since joining our company but I never had the chance to do a hanami there. That changes last Saturday…Photography and caption by Totomai Martinez/ National Geographic Your Shot
Land of Mist Mt. Yoshino is well known from old times for the best cherry blossom site in Japan. It covers all over the mountain paths around 8 kms, from the north end to the south of Omine Renzan mountains. It is also a base of Omine spiritual mountain walk for decipliants. A path between Yoshino-Omine and Yuya is called Omine Okukudou and is still used for religeous training. The spiritual site and path in Kii, including Mt. Yoshino, was approved as one of UNESCO World Heritage. Photography and caption by Yoshiki Fujiwara/ National Geographic Your Shot
Hello, I’m Alice Yoo! I’m founder and CEO of Skylar Yoo, a company dedicated to inspiring and empowering women to be bold. We sell apparel, art prints and accessories to the modern feminist.
In my former life, I was editor-in-chief of the art and culture blog My Modern Met, which I founded back in 2007. I curated and wrote about art, design and photography for more than seven years. (In fact, I published over 7,000 articles which were seen by millions of people worldwide.) I’m also co-author of a book called For Love: 25 Heartwarming Celebrations of Humanity, which is on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
I live in southern California along with my husband and my two toddler boys.
This blog is about what I love, the tough experiences that I’ve learned from, and my journey as a second time entrepreneur. Right now, I’m in the midst of a 365 day challenge, to read one book a day. If you share my passions or want to learn some cool new facts, come along for the ride. I hope to inspire, educate and entertain you!
