Every year for the past 12 years, the Smithsonian has collected some of the best photos from around the world to feature in their annual photo contest. Now that they've revealed their finalists, we finally have the opportunity to see some of the best photos from the 2014 contest, which had more than 26,500 entries done by professional photographers from 93 different countries.
The Smithsonian's photo editors chose ten finalists each from the Natural World, Travel, People, Americana, Altered Images and Mobile categories. Voting is also open for the reader's choice award, which will be awarded $500 and be presented together with the category winners ($500 prizes) and the Grand Prize photo ($2,500 prize) on March 31st. This date will also mark the opening of the 2015 competition!
The Smithsonian has a knack for collecting wonderful wildlife photos – their 'Wilderness Forever' contest had some amazing wildlife photography submissions!
More info: smithsonianmag.com (h/t: lustik)
#1 Light Refracts Through The Curves Of A Breaking Wave, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Report
91points
#7 Women Of A Small Village Near Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam, Sew A Fishing Net While Their Husbands Fish, Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Thuan, Vietnam
Report
63points
#8 While Firemen Were Putting Out A Fire In Chicago, The Water Froze And Coated Everything In Ice, Chicago, Illinois
Report
63points
#10 A Girl Stares In Wonder At An Aquarium Tank, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California
Report
60points
#13 Mobula Rays Gather To Feed On Plankton Attracted By Dive Lights, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Report
53points
#15 A Fisherman Checks His Net In The Early Morning, Lam Dong, Dalat, Vietnam
Report
49points
#16 Young Buddhist Novices Play In Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Mandalay, Myanmar
Report
48points
#17 The Caracolera Is A Common, But Restless Snake, Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
Report
46points
#18 A Brown Bear Walks Across An Estuary, (lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Report
46points
#19 Fireworks Shower Onlookers In Sparks During Holy Week Celebrations, Acobamba, Tarma, Peru
Report
37points
#20 A Woman And Her Child Place Dyed Threads Out To Dry, Santipure, Nadia, India
Report
36points