by
Jeremy Gray
posted Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 8:45 AM EST
National Geographic has announced the winners of their 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest. The grand prize winner, Sergio Tapiro Velasco, has earned himself and a guest a 10-day trip to the Galápagos Archipelago with National Geographic Expeditions for the first image seen below.
Sergio's winning image also took home first place in the "Nature" category. Other categories were "People" and "Cities" and prizes for first, second and third place were handed out along with "honorable mentions." First place winners took home US$2,500. Second and third place winners were awarded $750 and $500 respectively. Let's look at some of the winning images, starting with Sergio's grand prize-winning shot.
"The Power of Nature." Grand Prize Winner. First place in Nature. Copyright Sergio Tapiro Velasco. Sergio said this of his winning photo, "A powerful eruption illuminates the slopes of Mexico’s Colima Volcano on December 13, 2015. I was in the town of Comala when I suddenly saw incandescence above the volcano's crater and started shooting. Seconds later, a powerful volcanic explosion expelled a cloud of ash particles and a massive lightning bolt illuminated most of the dark scene. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life."
"Worship." First place in People. Copyright F. Dilek Uyar. Of the photo, Uyar says, "Beams of light filter through a historic building in Konya, Turkey, where a whirling dervish performs an ecstatic dance. The ceremony represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent towards truth and love, and represents the constant revolution of all living things. For example, the Earth itself is in a state of rotation as well as the atoms that make up everything on it."
"Levels of Reading." First place in Cities. Copyright Norbert Fritz. Fritz says, "Natural light fills the modern interior of the city library in Stuttgart, Germany. With its stark white floors, open spaces, and large windows, it provides a unique atmosphere to broaden your knowledge."
"Crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles." Third place in Nature. Copyright Tarun Sinha.
"Under the Wave." Third place in People. Copyright Rodney Bursiel.
"The Man's Stare." Honorable Mention in People. Copyright Moin Ahmed.
"Colorful Apartment." Honorable Mention in Cities. Copyright Tetsuya Hashimoto.
There are many more amazing images which won prizes and honorable mentions. You can see the gallery of winners here. You can also download wallpapers of the winners.
(Via The Atlantic)
