“Saint Patricks Day”. Clew Bay Pipe Band Piper playing at the Achill Island, Ireland Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Photo location: Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland. (Photo and caption by Glen McClure/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Venice by morning”. Photo location: Venice. (Photo and caption by Vlad Da Cunha/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Prodigy in the making...” This shot was taken just after her “arangetram” – her first ever public show, at the Guruvayur temple, India. Wanted to capture the colourful makeup, ornaments, silk saree and the kid's expression. Photo location: Guruvayur, Kerala, India. (Photo and caption by Jessu Paul/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Savior in the fog”. Last february, I walked a 12 km track to Chugchilan village, surrounded by unexpected dense clouds of fog. After four hours of breathtaking landscapes I finally arrived to my destiny. Asking for a bus to get back, a local explained me that there was no bus coming by that day anymore. Disappointed and exhausted I started walking along the quiet and foggy highway. It seemed to disappear into the nowhere. Suddenly out of the white background a motorcycle appeared and slowed down on my side. Even if my way back was freezing cold and I was soaked in water I was very happy and pleased to get back. Photo location: Quilotoa, Ecuador, Central America. (Photo and caption by Alessandro Bo/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Moonligth in paradise”. One day after the red moon eclipse. Quiet warm night at the beach reflected wirh the moon reflected on ponds with soft light inviting to meditate and enjoy the moment. Photo location: San Miguel Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. (Photo and caption by Hernan Hernandez/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Lighhouse”. After several days of rain finally got to witness a beautiful sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse and I could take this picture at dusk. The image was made in mid-August of last summer on the island of Skye in Scotland with the use of a tripod and ND filter, wait a few minutes was enough to make this characteristic shot. Photo location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. (Photo and caption by Stefano Coltelli/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Faith”. The words on the wall: “Abdullah's Father”. It is the nickname of the “Imam Hussein” which was the Muslims' prophet's grandson. Imam Hussein was murdered with his baby “Abdullah” in a fight trying to deliver a great message 1400 years ago. It is a very sad story. However, that story became a big yearly occasion for a huge part of the muslims which are called “Shia”. Photo location: Hufuf, Saudi Arabia. (Photo and caption by Mohammed Baqer/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Shepherd”. This Child takes care of sheep after returning from school in the highest mountains of Bani Malik in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Photo location: Tiaif. (Photo and caption by Yousef Masoud/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Matriach in the Serengeti”. On Safari in the vast openness of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, a large herd of elephants grazed peacefully, with a few new family members following close by. Here a beautiful mother with her two young calves in tow. Photo location: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. (Photo and caption by Cara Cortese/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“O”. In Turkey, they seem well in mud Karacasu are doing cooking cap. They earn money. The most important here laboring women in the workforce. Photo location: Turkey. (Photo and caption by Murat Yılmaz/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Little girl at wedding in Africa”. I happened to attend to a local African wedding. In Africa during weddings little girls are dressed like adult women and wear make-up. According to the local tradition the make-up is used to get rid of evil spirits. Photo location: Tanzania. (Photo and caption by Barbara Di Maio/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Allure”. Seeing the shafts of light in the canyon is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. It was a surreal feeling being surrounded by the towering cliffs. The only way I could capture this special moment of the weeping walls was after an incredibly torrential rain. I knew I had to get to a shallow portion of the river to unfold my tripod. I was drenched from head to toe by the falling water. Mist and rain covered the camera, but I fired a few shots. As I stood in awe of the scene, the sun broke through for a few seconds and cast God’s rays into the side lit waterfall. Photo location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. (Photo and caption by Peter Lik/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Stylish llama”. At 14,000ft in icy winds this llama was completely at home. It was a different world for me. I'd like to think that we shared a moment. Photo location: Laguna Colorado, Bolivia. (Photo and caption by Esther Buttery/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Village Doctor”. After a long day of walking in the mountains of the region Lorri, I am welcomed by the village doctor of Aygehat. Interested in the profession of photographer, it prompts me to drink coffee in his house. I decided to mark this moment. Photo location: Aygehat, Lorri Region, Armenia. (Photo and caption by Virab Mouradian/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“In good company”. The shepherds of Korta Village in Rajasthan. Photo location: Korta, Rajasthan, India. (Photo and caption by Sreeranj Sreedhar/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“A Beaded Woman”. A young Samburu woman prepares tea for visitors. Photo location: Isiolo, Kenya. (Photo and caption by Ralph Pace/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Skimmer Skimming”. A Black Skimmer flies to the front of the flock on Lido Key in Sarasota, Florida. As my wife and I were walking north along the shore, we observed a flock of Black Skimmers flying south. The flock would land and every few minutes take off in a circular pattern just over the water. After observing this behavior for several minutes, I positioned myself to be about 10 feet in front of the noisy flock (on my belly) the next time they landed. I proceeded to take several shots that capture the behavior of these “eyeless” birds with this one being my favorite. Photo location: Lido Key, Sarasota, Florida. (Photo and caption by Paul Vuocolo/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Bride and the Dog”. I was covering an Indian wedding in Mauritius. The bride had just finished with her makeup, hair and dress and wanted me to take a picture of her. Just as I was about to shoot, she stopped me and asked her family to bring her dog “Mitch”. He sat by her and just as I snapped, he looked at her with curiosity as if he wanted to be sure it was her. I liked the look of this beautiful and clever Dog being surprised by the outfit of her master. Photo location: Mauritius, Vacoas. (Photo and caption by Jean Jacques Fabien/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Holi Festival”. Taken in Vrindavan, India, Indian pray, dance and sing during the Holi Festival, and the color powder flowing in whole city. Photo location: Vrindavan, India. (Photo and caption by Chan Kwok Hung/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Aurora Hunters”. Photographers taking part in a photography tour on the Lofoten Islands in Norway, pull over on the side of the road to take a photo of their first ever Aurora Borealis after spotting it from their tour bus. Photo location: Rystad, Lofoten Islands, Norway. (Photo and caption by Mark Gee/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Kolimpithres”. Zagoroxoria. Photo location: Greece. (Photo and caption by Michael Marthas/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Dawn landing”. After a night out at sea fishing for squid the fishermen return to Ngapali beach at dawn with their catch. Photo location: Ngapali Beach, Myanmar. (Photo and caption by Malcolm McDougall/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Traveller awaits for the Transsiberian”. Photo taken in Irkutsk Central Station during a train journey to Lake Baïkal in October 2013. Photo location: Irkutsk, Russian Federation. (Photo and caption by Romain Poirot-Lellig/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Shanghai Nightline”. This is the shot I came to Shanghai for. I waited till night to buy my ticket to the top of the World Financial Center to capture the intensity and sprawling size of China's metropolis. Photo location: Shanghai, China. (Photo and caption by Collin Hadley/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Elusive Stripes”. The near threatened, elusive striped hyena shot at the Blackbuck National park, Velavadar, Gujarat. This National park is also the world's largest roosting area for Harriers. Photo location: Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar, Gujarat, India. (Photo and caption by Masood Hussain/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Stormy playground”. A stormy night on the beach playground. Photo location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. (Photo and caption by Luca Boveri/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The man, the legend”. A New York City resident and legend, Louis Mendes spends his days wandering the streets of Manhattan with his trusty camera in hand. Taking portraits on polaroid film, he is always on the lookout for new and interesting people to photograph as well as instilling his photographic knowledge with anyone interested in learning. Photo location: New York City, USA. (Photo and caption by Anthony Christie/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Cheetah ”. African Cheetah on the Masai Mara National Reserve safari in southwestern Kenya during the great wildebeest migration. Photo location: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Africa. (Photo and caption by Amy Nichole Harris/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Torres Del Paine”. Lone hiker in an orange jacket watching the sunrise in front of Mirador Torres in Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Photo location: Torres Del Paine, Chile, Patagonia, South America. (Photo and caption by Michael Marquand/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Isabella takes a dip”. While everybody else is busy packing up at the end of the day, 20-month-old Isabella decides to take one last dip in the tidal pool in Southbroom. Photo location: Tidal pool, Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (Photo and caption by Jörn Dannheimer/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Temple Jetty Udaipur”. This was one of my favourite places in Udaipur. A small temple on the banks of lake Pichola. The light was amazing here early in the morning, and with only a handful of locals using it for prayers its was so peaceful and quiet. Photo location: Udaipur, india. (Photo and caption by Luke Hahn/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Dassanech Woman”. Pregnant tribal women from the Dassanech Tribe in traditional clothing in Omo Valley, Ethiopia. Photo location: Omo Valley, Ethiopia. (Photo and caption by Amy Nicole Harris/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Norbu's Donkey Friend”. 12 year old Norbu, pulls his donkey up the hill in a remote village in Spiti Valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. “He doesn't like to climb a hill, so we have to pull it up to the road and then ride him back to the village”, says Norbu. Riding a donkey is a favourite hobby of many local kids of the region. Photo location: Tashi Gang, Lahaul Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India. (Photo and caption by Himanshu Khagta/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Just stepping into life”. There is a maze made of hedge in front of the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. This 6 years old girl, who came there for a birthday party looked like a fairy tale Alice in Wonderland wondering whether to enter the unknown... Photo location: Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong. (Photo and caption by Marcin Klocek/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Your Curve”. These two dolphins where playing out in the deeper ocean for some time, as the set of waves came through they followed the lump of swell towards the shore racing each other for the key position, as the wave started breaking one pulled off the back as to not “drop in” on the other. Photo location: Point Danger, Tweed Heads . (Photo and caption by Brodie McCabe/National Geographic Photo Contest)