Photo and caption by Hiroki Inoue / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest. "Wherever you go, I will follow you!!" Location: Biei, Hokkaido, Japan.
The 2016 National GeographicTravel Photographer of the Year Contest has kicked off, and the first round of editors’ picks have been selected. In typical National Geographic fashion, the works range in location to Yosemite, Antarctica, Kenya, New York City, and everywhere in between. These photos are just from the first two weeks, but the contest runs through May 27, 2016. You can still enter the contest now to win a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari for two at Churchill Wild–Seal River Heritage Lodge, one of National Geographic's "Unique Lodges of the World.” We've selected 10 images to inspire you, and perhaps motivate you to enter, below:
"During a snow storm I decided to head over to Bryce Canyon NP 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."
Location: Bryce Canyon, Utah, United States
"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
"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. Took this photo with a little amazing camera: Ricoh GR."
Location: New York City, New York, United States
"This is a general view of Eid ul Fitr Prayer at Alamgir Mosque in Varanasi, Uttarpradesh, India. Eid prayers, also known as Salat al-Eid and Salat al-Eidain , is the special prayer offered to commemorate two Islamic festivals.This image depicts the Hindu–Muslim brotherhood exploring the dynamics of communal relations in Varanasi-a holy city of the Hindus."
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
"l was invited into the home of my guide and I stayed for lunch. This picture for me captures the comfortable relationship between the husband and wife and a thoughtful moment."
Location: Longsheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, China
"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: Antarctica
"Performances of Chinese opera are usually held in a mat-shed at the Pak Tai Temple in Taipa village. In this small temporary make-up room built solely with bamboo and iconic red-blue-white plastic bags, over 10 performers are preparing for the show."
Location: Macau, Macau, Macao
"Devotees carrying the palki, sedan chair, of Shiva. The Shiva's Temple, known as Khandoba locally, is a very famous temple situated in the town of Jejuri, in Maharashtra, India. Every year on the day of Somvati Amavasya—a no-moon day—thousands of devotees arrives at the temple. The festival's main ritual is offering of turmeric powder by the devotees. Such large quantities of turmeric powder are used that all the devotees and the temple ground are covered in yellow color of the turmeric."
Location: Jejūri, Maharashtra, India
ONE EMAIL. ONE STORY. EVERY WEEK. SIGN UP FOR THE VICE NEWSLETTER.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
