2010 National Geographic Photography Contest Galleries

Grand Prize Winner and Nature Winner

Photo and caption by Lim Boon Teck , Aaron

A canceled trek turned into the opportunity of a lifetime for photographer Aaron Lim Boon Teck, who captured an active Indonesian volcano in his image "Eruption of Gunung Rinjani."

"Trekkers [who] were able to make it up to the crater rim on time [were] able to camp overnight to witness the eruption [the] whole night long," Boon Teck, of Singapore, wrote with his submission to the 2010 National Geographic Photography Contest. "I wanted to share with everyone this experience of seeing many elements going on at a particular point in time."

Freelance photographer and contest judge Joel Sartore said, "This image best represented the craft of photography. Not only is the light subtle and beautiful, and not only is it a lovely scene, but there's a volcanic eruption going on in the background."

National Geographic magazine senior photo editor and judge Sadie Quarrier noted that combining multiple images into one stitched image "gives us a wide, powerful, and unique view."

Freelance photographer and judge Stephen Alvarez agreed, adding that Boon Teck was "thoughtful" to choose a wide view and include the eruption's spectators.

"Besides, it is just a lovely photograph," he added.

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by Sean Heavey

Supercell Thunderstorm

A supercell thunderstorm rolls across the Montana prairie at sunset.

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by Stephanie Swartz

Lion in the Shadows

This lion at a wildlife sanctuary in Indonesia found his light at the perfect moment for me to capture it.

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by Nenad Saljic

Twilight Clouds

I have spent seven days waiting for this image, and finally on the morning just before my departure the clouds were moving fast and clearing the North Face of Matterhorn. I have used ND filter and exposure was 47 sec.

Viewers' Choice Nature Winner

Photo and caption by sanjeev bhor

Smile Please

When I entered into the deep forest of Jim Corbett National Park, I was searching for a tiger and suddenly we came across a monkey. He ran so fast that within a fraction of second he sat on a termite mound. He sat in such a manner and was watching me like he might be telling me to click his photograph. And I got this memorable image of a monkey sitting on a termite mound for a portfolio photograph. It is very rare to see him in such a pose.