The 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest judges reviewed nearly 18,000 photographs. These ten pictures won the top prizes.
First Place Winner
Whale Whisperers by Anuar Patjane
Diving with a humpback whale and her newborn calf while they cruise around Roca Partida … in the Revillagigedo [Islands], Mexico. This is an outstanding and unique place full of pelagic life, so we need to accelerate the incorporation of the islands into UNESCO as [a] natural heritage site in order to increase the protection of the islands against the prevailing illegal fishing corporations and big-game fishing.
Second Place Winner
Gravel Workmen by faisal azim
[This] gravel-crush working place remains full of dust and sand. Three gravel workmen are looking through the window glass at their working place. Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Third Place Winner
Camel Ardah by Ahmed Al Toqi
Camel Ardah, as it [is] called in Oman, is one of the traditional styles of camel racing ... between two camels controlled by expert men. The faster camel is the loser ... so they must be running [at] the same speed level in the same track. The main purpose of Ardah is to show the beauty and strength of the Arabian camels and the riders' skills. Ardah [is] considered one of the most risky situations, since always the camels reactions are unpredictable [and] it may get wild and jump [toward the] audience.
Merit prizes went to:
A Night at Deadveli by Brett McCarley
The night before returning to Windhoek, we spent several hours at Deadvlei. The moon was bright enough to illuminate the sand dunes in the distance, but the skies were still dark enough to clearly see the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds. Deadvlei means 'dead marsh.' The camelthorn trees are believed to be about 900 years old but have not decomposed because the environment is so dry.
Catching a Duck by Sarah Wouters
Two boys are trying to catch a duck at the stream of the waterfall. Nong Khai Province, Thailand.
Kushti, Indian Wrestling by Alain Schroeder
Kushti is the traditional form of Indian wrestling. Wearing only a well-adjusted loincloth (langot), wrestlers (pelwhans) enter a pit made of clay, often mixed with salt, lemon, and ghee (clarified butter). At the end of a workout, wrestlers rest against the walls of the arena, covering their heads and bodies with earth to soak up any perspiration and avoid catching cold. This relaxation ceremony is completed with massages to soothe tired muscles and demonstrate mutual respect.
White Rhinos by Stefane Berube
The night before this photo, we tried all day to get a good photo of the endangered white rhino. Skulking through the grass carefully, trying to stay 30 feet away to be safe, didn't provide me the photo I was hoping for. In the morning, however, I woke up to all three rhinos grazing in front of me. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda.
Sauna in the Sky by Stefano Zardini
A sauna at 2,800 meters high in the heart of Dolomites. Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina, eastern Italian Alps.
Highlanders by Bartłomiej Jurecki
Traditional haymaking in Poland. Many people continue to use the scythe and pitchfork to sort the hay.
Land of Fairy Tales by Eduard Guestcu
Romania, land of fairy tales. White frost over Pestera village.
Photographers entered pictures into four categories: Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, and Spontaneous Moments. See all entries or browse the editors' weekly top picks, and share your favorites.