2010 National Geographic Photography Contest Galleries

Portitsa Canyon

Photo and caption by Kostas Petrakis

Walking towards the exit of the canyon of Portitsa, the sun light plays with the walls of it and creates its personal color palette, I didn't have much to do, just setup the tripod and the let the camera do the rest while I was really lost in awe by the view.
It is really astonishing and majestic being able to experience the beauty of nature at a time when most people are roaming crowded islands seeking for "relaxation", I couldn't have asked for more at that time as a human being, just stare in awe away from everyday pressure and problems.

Prague Design

Photo and caption by Meredith Holbrook

Drive in Prague.

A walk along the river bank (Zhenyuan, China)

Photo and caption by Fred Wang

This photo was taken in Zhenyuan, Guizhou Province, China this summer. I was taking a walk along the river bank of Wuyang in the mist of a late afternoon shower. Refreshing smell after rain was mixed with the aroma from nearby food stands. In the distance, kids were playing and laughing. The tranquil and harmonious life of the local people reminds me of the joyful time I grew up in a similar small town in the Southwest China.

Morning in the graveyard

Photo and caption by Jim McNally

This little red roofed church is in Tadoussac, Quebec, Canada. It is the oldest wooden church in North America. The fog rolls out in the morning to reveal the St. Lawrence River

First Moroccan cinema 1926

Photo and caption by Howard Shooter

This was just away from the tourist area in Marrakech. A real hidden gem and was tended by a very kind man who kept it all looking spotless. I'm not even sure if they still show films there.

Peace Day

Photo and caption by Juan Rubiano

I watched the man on the balcony. It was a beautiful composition, but something was missing. And suddenly there came a Pigeon in one second. A perfect composition in a wonderful day. Saint Tropez, France, May 2010. Camera Nikon D300, program manual, exposure 1/1000, aperture f/4.8, focal length 32mm. No photoshop, no HDR. Without edition, without retouching. Juan Rubiano

Alpine sunset

Photo and caption by Jakub Połomski

Sunset captured in Austrian Alps from High Alpine Road. August 2009.

Under The Golden Gate Bridge

Photo and caption by Mike Matas

A view from underneath the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.

Bromo sunrise

Photo and caption by Bibi Warmerdam

The sunrise at the edge of the Bromo vulcano gave a spectaculair view.

The Shetland Coastguard Helicopter & The Lerwick Lifeboat

Photo and caption by Iain Murray

This was taken from the observation deck on board the Northlink Ferry during exercises by the Lerwick Lifeboat and the Shetland Coastguard. The winchman lowered the rescuer onto the rear of the moving ship in front of a spellbound throng of islanders out for a days cruise as a part of the Lifeboat fundraising day. Amazing.

Swim Lanes

Photo and caption by Tanguy Gabathuler

Photo taken on the boardwalk of Coney Island, Brooklyn on a rainy day.

A Day in Casablanca

Photo and caption by Tanguy Gabathuler

Photo taken in Casablanca, Morocco next to the Hassan 2 mosque.

The Granite Staircase at Fort Camden, Cork Harbour. Ireland.

Photo and caption by Joleen Cronin

Fort Camden is internationally recognised as one of the finest remaining classic coastal artillery forts. It is located on Ram’s Head near the village of Crosshaven overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour, Ireland.

This hand-cut granite spiral staircase is located in one of the many passageways that occupy almost 60% of this 45 acre site and leads to an underground ammunition store.

The staircase is in complete darkness and night-light candles were used to illuminate the scene.

The Fort is now owned by Cork County Council and has been unoccupied since the 1989.

Dawn in Hong Village

Photo and caption by Weiye Wang

Hong Village locates in the south Anhui Province in China and is the world heritage of UN.

Honorable Mention

Photo and caption by Katrin Koenning

Man and Bird

A man sits quietly on a wall in front of Federation Square, in the city center of Melbourne, Australia.

Peering into the Cave of Zeus

Photo and caption by Bahadır Karabıyık

One of the places where Zeus was said to have hid his affairs with mortal women from his wife Hera. The sparkling water provides its bather an invisible armour against the hot for the next couple of hours even in August of Kusadası. The relatively large enterance of the cave separating the cool and dim inside making the vapour of your breath visible, also explains the reason why many an image shot as a single long exposure typical for low light scenarios would end up with burned foregrounds and blackout backgrounds.

Worshippers leaving Hassan II after midday prayers

Photo and caption by Skye von der Osten

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco, has the world tallest minaret at 689 ft and is the fifth largest mosque in the world. The mosque can house 105,000 worshippers at one time.