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Photography
Look at these 12 photos and appreciate the beautiful world we live in
From China to Alaska and Switzerland to Myanmar.
THE ENTRIES IN the prestigious National Geographic Photo Contest 2015 just keep getting better.
The competition is almost at a close with photographers across the world hoping to pick up prizes in the People, Places and Nature categories.
The eventual winner will receive $10,000 and you have until 16 November to get your entry in.
Here are just a selection of some of the incredible work being submitted so far (with captions from the photographers themselves):
Let there be light
“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.”
Location: Iceland
A little bit of Bear’s Paradise
“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 six that dominated the prime spots. It was peaceful between the bears as there was plenty of salmon to go around!”
Location: King Salmon, Alaska, United States
A Sandy Disguise
“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 centre of their grouping. For one moment though, this little one disguised in sand got through to give us a quick hello.”
Location: Chobe River, Botswana
Sunset Above the Fog
“A warm and peaceful sunset above the fog at Mount Tamalpais, northern California.”
Location: Mill Valley, California, United States
Baby calling
“A baby giraffe seems to call the mother under an incredible sky of sun rays.”
Location: Kenya
Shangrila Lake
Shangrila Lake or Lower Kachura Lake in Skardu, Baltistan.
Location: Pakistan
Angel in the sky
“Stunning northern lights show in Estonia. I have never seen such a spectacular show before. It is not an everyday event to see northern lights in Estonia – especially so mighty ones [sic]. This photo reminds me an angel with wings widely spread. Certainly there are some greater powers than humans can imagine.”
Location: Karjaküla, Harjumaa, Estonia
The lookout
A lined owl which watches the field attentively.
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Kids and The Abandoned Pinisi
“Centuries ago the Buginese and Makassarese people were famously known as the great sailormen. By using handmade wooden boats named Pinisi they explored 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 children’s descendants of the great sailor playing in shipwreck.”
Location: Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Going home
“A monk on his way home.”
Location: Bagan, Mandalay, Myanmar
The Gathering of Clouds
“Breathtaking view from Schwarzstockli (2,293m) 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.”
Location: Ennenda, Glarus, Switzerland
Cormorants fishing in the dark night
“Ukai Japan has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is one of the traditional fishing methods that has been done in countries such as China. People use cormorants to catch fish in the light of the lamp bonfire.”
Location: Ōgaki, Gifu, Japan
More: One of these reader’s beautiful photos will be used on the cover of National Geographic
Read: Baby blue eyes, Oxford Circus and a stretching squirrel: 10 perfect pictures from the world’s best amateurs
Related: 12 stunning images already in as the National Geographic Photo Contest gets started
