Readers were invited to submit photos in categories such as "Action," "Nature," "People," "Portfolio" and "Urban." A public exhibition of the shortlisted images will take place on February 28 in London. The winners of the National Geographic Traveller's Photography Competition 2017 will be announced later that day.
Francis Cox "Nepalese man in a doorway, Bhaktapur, Nepal" in the “People” category.
“Whilst on a tour of the Bhaktapur (Kathmandu) tourist area, I was walking along a number of local shops when the brightly colored door and hanging beads of this particular shop caught my attention,” the photographer commented on the photo, “but when I looked inside I saw a sweet old Nepalese man in his national dress.” As stated by Cox, this image was taken a day before Kathmandu was hit with a devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015. “I never managed to find out the fate of my bead shop man; but one day I will,” the photographer wrote.
“Whilst on a tour of the Bhaktapur (Kathmandu) tourist area, I was walking along a number of local shops when the brightly colored door and hanging beads of this particular shop caught my attention,” the photographer commented on the photo, “but when I looked inside I saw a sweet old Nepalese man in his national dress.” As stated by Cox, this image was taken a day before Kathmandu was hit with a devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015. “I never managed to find out the fate of my bead shop man; but one day I will,” the photographer wrote.
Rashid Khaidanov "Clouds forming over Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland" in the “Nature” category.
“When I was looking for a place for filming, I found a very narrow rock on which it is possible to place only a tripod and just enough space to stand very close together. While I quickly changed the filters and took pictures, I was so passionate about the process that I simply forgot that behind me there is a huge break in about 8 meters. In general, it was very scary when I realized that I could step back and fall,” Khaidanov captioned his photo.
“When I was looking for a place for filming, I found a very narrow rock on which it is possible to place only a tripod and just enough space to stand very close together. While I quickly changed the filters and took pictures, I was so passionate about the process that I simply forgot that behind me there is a huge break in about 8 meters. In general, it was very scary when I realized that I could step back and fall,” Khaidanov captioned his photo.
Sajith Buddikha Withanage "Lizard versus snake in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka" in the “Action” category.
“I saw this unusual behavior of a garden lizard in the middle of the road. Suddenly, I realized that the predator, a common bronze back snake is not so far. We waited a few minutes to see what's going to happen. When the snake strikes, the lizard acts like a monk from a shaolin temple. That wasn’t an easily coming meal for the Predator,” says the description to this entry.
“I saw this unusual behavior of a garden lizard in the middle of the road. Suddenly, I realized that the predator, a common bronze back snake is not so far. We waited a few minutes to see what's going to happen. When the snake strikes, the lizard acts like a monk from a shaolin temple. That wasn’t an easily coming meal for the Predator,” says the description to this entry.
Matt Parry "Whitewashed buildings, Oia, Greece" in the “Urban” category.
“In the evenings people gather to watch the sunset over the town of Oia on the northern tip of Santorini's crater. The view is incredible, so much so that the sunset has now become a bucket-list tourist attraction,” Parry noted.
“In the evenings people gather to watch the sunset over the town of Oia on the northern tip of Santorini's crater. The view is incredible, so much so that the sunset has now become a bucket-list tourist attraction,” Parry noted.
Laura Dale "Woman in Day of the Dead costume, Parque de las Palapas, Mexico" in the “People” category.
“The festival, locally known as ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ is an annual celebration in memory of loved ones who have passed away,” the photographer wrote in the comment to the photo. “I spotted this woman just before leaving the festival, after all the parades and dancing had finished. Her eyes were so enchanting and her make-up pristine, I couldn’t resist stopping her and asking for a photograph.”
“The festival, locally known as ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ is an annual celebration in memory of loved ones who have passed away,” the photographer wrote in the comment to the photo. “I spotted this woman just before leaving the festival, after all the parades and dancing had finished. Her eyes were so enchanting and her make-up pristine, I couldn’t resist stopping her and asking for a photograph.”
Andrew Hone "Football at sunset on Ngapali Beach, Myanmar" in the “Action” category.
“Everyone can find the same joy in the game, all you need is ball!”
“Everyone can find the same joy in the game, all you need is ball!”
Toby Trueman "Traffic at Sogo, Hong Kong" in the “Urban” category.
In the comment to his image, the photographer wrote that this man attracted his attention trying to cross the road. “I saw this one man make a break for it but only get as far as the central island before the traffic started again. For a few minutes we were completely isolated in an otherwise overcrowded and frantic urban environment, cut off by the relentless traffic. His route blocked and forced to pause, for a short moment his life was on hold.”
In the comment to his image, the photographer wrote that this man attracted his attention trying to cross the road. “I saw this one man make a break for it but only get as far as the central island before the traffic started again. For a few minutes we were completely isolated in an otherwise overcrowded and frantic urban environment, cut off by the relentless traffic. His route blocked and forced to pause, for a short moment his life was on hold.”
David Candlish "Fire breathers, Singapore" in the “Action” category.
“I love that I managed to not only capture the fire as it curled into the shape of a horse-head but also the flames illuminated the man & his own swirling tattoos,” Candlish explained.
“I love that I managed to not only capture the fire as it curled into the shape of a horse-head but also the flames illuminated the man & his own swirling tattoos,” Candlish explained.
Daren Baker "The Watering Hole. England" in the “Nature” category
“It was clearly evident that the light of the evening was going to be amazing.”
“It was clearly evident that the light of the evening was going to be amazing.”
Marco Pozzi "On the train. Jaipur, India" in the “People” category.
“I am fascinated by people in their own environment during their daily life. The train station is a key moment for many people and the second class is where one can better appreciate the adaptive nature of these people,” the photographer wrote.
“I am fascinated by people in their own environment during their daily life. The train station is a key moment for many people and the second class is where one can better appreciate the adaptive nature of these people,” the photographer wrote.
Stuart Dunn "Horse Silhouette. Salalah, Oman" Nature category.
“I was preparing my equipment for the expedition when I spotted out the corner of my eye a young man training his horse on the beach backlit by this beautiful orb of a sun that was dropping towards the horizon rapidly,” Dunn said.
“I was preparing my equipment for the expedition when I spotted out the corner of my eye a young man training his horse on the beach backlit by this beautiful orb of a sun that was dropping towards the horizon rapidly,” Dunn said.
Daniel Burton "Volcano. Southern Africa" in the “Portfolio" category.
“Colors of Southern Africa 1: Blue” was taken in Northern Botswana. “The conical thatched roof with small cloud hovering behind is, perhaps, reminiscent of a volcano,” explained the finalist of the contest.
“Colors of Southern Africa 1: Blue” was taken in Northern Botswana. “The conical thatched roof with small cloud hovering behind is, perhaps, reminiscent of a volcano,” explained the finalist of the contest.
Daniel Burton "Ripples. Southern Africa" in the “Portfolio” category.
“Colors of Southern Africa 2: Yellow” was taken in Namibia. “This photograph was taken from a hot air balloon on a dawn flight... These silhouetted ridges create a rippling effect in the lemon-tinged dawn light.”
“Colors of Southern Africa 2: Yellow” was taken in Namibia. “This photograph was taken from a hot air balloon on a dawn flight... These silhouetted ridges create a rippling effect in the lemon-tinged dawn light.”
Daniel Burton "Tributary. Southern Africa" in the “Portfolio” category.
“Colors of Southern Africa 3: Green” was taken in Botswana. “The shot was taken from a plane and shows one of the many ephemeral tributaries of the Okavango basin which snake through the landscape following the annual discharge of rain from the Angolan highlands.”
“Colors of Southern Africa 3: Green” was taken in Botswana. “The shot was taken from a plane and shows one of the many ephemeral tributaries of the Okavango basin which snake through the landscape following the annual discharge of rain from the Angolan highlands.”
Daniel Burton "The Burning Bush. Southern Africa" in the “Portfolio” category.
“Colors of Southern Africa 4: Red” was taken in Namibia. “This photograph shows a dune adjacent to the Sossusvlei clay pan in Namibia’s Namib-Naukfluft National Park. At this moment the light has fallen on the golden clump of grass; the vegetation is coruscating, iridescent and, perhaps, redolent of Moses’ burning bush in the Book of Exodus,” Burton wrote.
“Colors of Southern Africa 4: Red” was taken in Namibia. “This photograph shows a dune adjacent to the Sossusvlei clay pan in Namibia’s Namib-Naukfluft National Park. At this moment the light has fallen on the golden clump of grass; the vegetation is coruscating, iridescent and, perhaps, redolent of Moses’ burning bush in the Book of Exodus,” Burton wrote.
Mario Adario "Ethiopia" in the “Portfolio” category.
“I took these pictures in January 2015 during the Ethiopian Christmas, when pilgrims from all over the country flock to the sacred city of Lalibela to pray in the famous rock-hewn churches,” Adario commented on his entry.
“I took these pictures in January 2015 during the Ethiopian Christmas, when pilgrims from all over the country flock to the sacred city of Lalibela to pray in the famous rock-hewn churches,” Adario commented on his entry.
17/24
© Photo : Mario Adario/ National Geographic Traveller
Mario Adario "Ethiopia" in the “Portfolio” category.
“The church of St. George, the most famous in Lalibela, shaped in a Greek Orthodox cross. It was carved by hand and completed in over 20 years,” the photographer revealed.
“The church of St. George, the most famous in Lalibela, shaped in a Greek Orthodox cross. It was carved by hand and completed in over 20 years,” the photographer revealed.
18/24
© Photo : Mario Adario/ National Geographic Traveller
Mario Adario "Ethiopia" in the “Portfolio” category.
“A priest practices an exorcism with a sword and holy water on two women thought to be possessed by the devil. The women scream frantically before being sedated by the priest.”
“A priest practices an exorcism with a sword and holy water on two women thought to be possessed by the devil. The women scream frantically before being sedated by the priest.”
19/24
© Photo : Mario Adario/ National Geographic Traveller
Mario Adario "Ethiopia" in the “Portfolio” category.
“I camped with the pilgrims just out of town and was able to take these shots over the three days culminating with the Christmas Day (January 7) celebrations,” Adario wrote.
“I camped with the pilgrims just out of town and was able to take these shots over the three days culminating with the Christmas Day (January 7) celebrations,” Adario wrote.
20/24
© Photo : Miguel de Freitas/ National Geographic Traveller
Miguel de Freitas “Nambiti Game Reserve, South Africa” in the “Portfolio” category.
“It was an early morning rise for us when our game ranger had been informed of mating activity within a group of lions,” says the caption.
“It was an early morning rise for us when our game ranger had been informed of mating activity within a group of lions,” says the caption.
21/24
© Photo : Miguel de Freitas/ National Geographic Traveller
Miguel de Freitas “Nambiti Game Reserve, South Africa” in the “Portfolio” category.
“When we found the group, the sudden torrential downpour put a halt to the lions’ activity but created a different photographic opportunity,” the photographer wrote.
“When we found the group, the sudden torrential downpour put a halt to the lions’ activity but created a different photographic opportunity,” the photographer wrote.
22/24
© Photo : Miguel de Freitas/ National Geographic Traveller
Miguel de Freitas “Nambiti Game Reserve, South Africa” in the “Portfolio” category.
“The lions were completely exposed to the elements with no nearby shelter available. Camera at the ready, it was only a matter of time before the lions did what they could in order to keep dry...”
“The lions were completely exposed to the elements with no nearby shelter available. Camera at the ready, it was only a matter of time before the lions did what they could in order to keep dry...”
23/24
© Photo : Miguel de Freitas/ National Geographic Traveller
Miguel de Freitas “Nambiti Game Reserve, South Africa” in the “Portfolio” category.
24/24
© Photo : Ben Goodwin/National Geographic Traveller
Ben Goodwin "Cristo Redentor, Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro" in the “Urban” category.
“After a couple of hours waiting between rain showers and with light fading, I had almost given up hope of seeing the classic vista across to Sugarloaf Mountain. Suddenly, the clouds parted to reveal Rio de Janeiro in all its glory... As light flooded across the city, I noticed the shadow of Christ the Redeemer fill my frame and quickly took a series of shots, as a rainbow briefly gave the statue its own halo,” Goodwin captioned his image.
“After a couple of hours waiting between rain showers and with light fading, I had almost given up hope of seeing the classic vista across to Sugarloaf Mountain. Suddenly, the clouds parted to reveal Rio de Janeiro in all its glory... As light flooded across the city, I noticed the shadow of Christ the Redeemer fill my frame and quickly took a series of shots, as a rainbow briefly gave the statue its own halo,” Goodwin captioned his image.
