2010 National Geographic Photography Contest Galleries

People Winner

Photo and caption by Chan Kwok Hung .

An Indonesian farmer and his buffalo charge through the mud in "Buffalo Race," an image that contest judge Joel Sartore called "an epic scene."

Farmers literally put a lot of stock into winning these annual races, which they believe will bring them luck during the upcoming growing season, according to photographer Chan Kwok Hung of Hong Kong.

National Geographic magazine senior photo editor and judge Sadie Quarrier praised the image as a "nicely composed, very real moment."

"I'm immediately drawn to the expression on the guy's face, with his open mouth and tightly squeezed eyes as if he's barely holding on."

Freelance photographer and judge Stephen Alvarez called the photo "high action perfectly captured. Sometimes photography is all about the moment."

Added Sartore, a freelance photographer, "Peak action, interesting subject matter, and a soft background all combined to make this image a winner."

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by robin utrecht

Xhosa Boy

South Africa: A Xhosa boy from the Xhosa tribe cries during a circumcision ceremony, where the young boys become men after surviving 4 to 6 weeks alone in the bush in the West Cape of South Africa. Also Nelson Mandela is from the same tribe and has done this ritual.

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by brian bielmann

Crazy Train

Donavon traveling the distance in slow motion while the white water erupts above him like a train out of control.

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by Li Fan

Piety

Devout Christians in Yunnan, China.

Viewers' Choice People Winner

Photo and caption by Bill Watson

Manog Giri

Sadhu, Manog Giri floats in the freezing cold Ganges during the 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, India. Approximately 40 million devotees converged on the small town of Haridwar to bathe in the holy Ganges and to receive blessings from the Hindu religion's holymen, the Sadhus.