National Geographic has become synonymous with the best photography, with the magazine always showcasing the outstanding beauty and wonder of our planet. So naturally, their annual photo contest is a prestigious and hotly-contested event, with judges having thousands of breathtaking images to narrow down, to find the eventual winners.
This year's photo contest grand prize winner was Jassen Todorov, a violinist and professor of music at San Francisco State University, whose aerial shot shows a vast boneyard in Southern California's Mojave Desert. The area is well known for storing retired aircraft, where the dry air keeps corrosion away before they are eventually dismantled and scrapped for parts. What many are unaware of, however, is the huge stretch of land nearby that is set aside for recalled vehicles and is filled with row-upon-row of Audis and Volkswagens that cheated emissions tests between 2009-2015. “I have flown and explored the Mojave Desert area quite a few times,” Jassen said Bored Panda about the Nat Geo's best picture of 2018. “There are several airports in the Mojave, and at least 3-4 of them have large boneyards, which I have explored and photographed. It was my first photo flight over Southern California Logistics Airport. I had done some research using google maps, so I had a general idea of the position of the cars around the airport.”
Combining his three loves of flying, music, and photography Jassen have really gotten into his aerial photography. Using a Nikon D810 with a 70-200 mm lens, he flies his single-engined Piper Warrior aircraft while listening to everything from classical music to country. “Music has a lot to do with structure and composition, colors and patterns, moods and characters - when I am looking at a photo, I am thinking about the same things,” he told us. “By capturing scenes like this one, I hope we will all become more conscious and more caring for our beautiful planet.”
Having previously had his photographs published in a variety of publications, from the Guardian to the Washington Post, this Nat Geo award is the highlight of Jassen's photography career so far. “To me, National Geographic has always been a very influential organization. I have always admired the mission, high professionalism, and dedication of all people working there. I often doubt my own work, so having this type of recognition from National Geographic is not only very inspiring but also really meaningful.”
Having previously had his photographs published in a variety of publications, from the Guardian to the Washington Post, this Nat Geo award is the highlight of Jassen's photography career so far. “To me, National Geographic has always been a very influential organization. I have always admired the mission, high professionalism, and dedication of all people working there. I often doubt my own work, so having this type of recognition from National Geographic is not only very inspiring but also really meaningful.”
Best photographers and their submissions to this photography contest included Pim Volkers' epic capture of wildebeests crossing Tanzania’s Mara River, which took the Wildlife prize, while Mia Collis' portrait of a Kenyan photographer took first place in the People category. You can scroll down below to check out all the winners below, and don't forget to vote for your own favorites! For more breathtaking photos from National Geographic photography contests, check out these here and here.
#21 A New Challenge, Alessandra Meniconzi
At the feet of the Altai mountain, that I met the Berkutchi, which in Kazakh language means “hunters with Golden Eagle”. They are men that with extreme patience and dedication have domesticated to their advantage the different qualities of the Eagle. The raptor, with its untamable courage, its fast flying abilities, acute vision and hearing capabilities has become man’s hunting companion that cannot be substitute. But this boy after train his eagle decide to try to domesticate two chick hawk.
188points
#22 Shipwreck And Photographer, Vivi Molet
This shipwreck is in bimini and its called the Gallant Lady.it was smashed up on shore in 1997. The relentless waves have slowly destroyed the ship. they believe in 15 years there will be nothing leaft at all.This Photography will become history. (Im a Profesional Landscape photographer and my husband loves to fly drones, so we team up to Documentary the world from above and from the ground) YOU CAN SEE ON THE BOTOM RIGHT SIDE MYSELF AND THE SHADOW.
181points
#23 Aigerim- The Eagle Huntress, Diana Ishii
Aigerim, a young female eagle huntress from the Altai Mountain in Mongolia. Hunting with a golden eagle is tradition that is normally passed down to boys but Aigerim has proved to her father that she could do just as well. At home, she is an obedient daughter but on the competition ground, she is as fierce as her pet Golden Eagle. Her golden eagle listens to her commands and in return, Aigerim has complete trust in her wild friend that it won't hurt her with its hooked beak and claws.
180points
#24 Waves, Tilda Josefsson
A shetland pony who's doing a spinning rear. tried a new perspective by zooming in on his upper body, resulting in catching the movement in his manes
178points
#25 At The End Of The Rainbow, Joshua Galicki
The weather was constantly changing in East Falkland. I was grateful for this as the rapidly evolving conditions provided some dramatic opportunities. A quick storm had passed through, leaving a rainbow in its wake. I crawled along the beach to position a portion of the rainbow in between two King Penguins interacting. In this capture one appeared to be ecstatic about the improving weather while the other appeared rather indifferent, or it could’ve just been some flapping and preening.
171points
#26 Discovering The Hidden Face Of Yucatán, Guillaume Néry
A cenote is a natural deep pit of crystal clear water that is found especially in Central America. There were once considered by the Mayan people as sacred. In the heart of the Yucatàn jungle, a freediver was joining the surface of the cenote with the sun's rays as a guide when the light behind him formed the illusion of an underwater face.
165points
#27 The Shepherd From Transylvania, Eduard Gutescu
On the Carpathian mountains in the region of Bran village i found this authentic shepherd. His name is Nea DAN. It was a real joy to listen to his life story as a shepherd .
163points
#28 Embearassed, Taylor Thomas Albright
Pictured a brown bear in the midst of a short tumble as he was fishing atop Brooks Falls, Alaska during the annual salmon run. Anxious, aggressive and hoping to get a better angle at the leaping salmon, this bear reached out a bit too far and lost his footing. Splashing into the pool below unharmed, he eventually climbed back into his spot to wait for the next chance at a salmon.
159points
#29 Heart Climber, Jimmy S.
At the certain point of view, ice climbing in JOHNSTON CANYON is on top of a heart.
155points
#30 Third Place, Wildlife: A New Look, Alison Langevad
Late at night, two southern white rhinoceroses emerged from the shadows to drink at a watering hole in Zimanga Game Reserve. They were back to back, observing their surroundings before lowering their heads. I underestimated the emotional impact the incredible beasts would have on me. They had been dehorned to deter poachers. I was full of emotion—and horror—that poaching had such a devastating effect. It must have been a hard decision to dehorn them, and I am grateful for the reserve’s efforts.
153points
#31 Sorano, Md Tanveer Hassan Rohan
Sorano is an ancient medieval hill town hanging from a tuff stone over the Lente River and commune in the province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany in Italy. This photograph was taken just after the sunset when the lights were turn on.
147points
#32 People's Choice: Mid Shed, Mike Dexter
CHAMELEONS SHED THEIR SKIN REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES BUT, UNLIKE SNAKES, IT PEELS OFF IN BITS AND PIECES RATHER THAN AS A WHOLE. This flap necked chameleon, mid shed, was tentatively making its way across an open sandy area putting itself at great risk from predators. My aim was to capture an image that depicted the vulnerability of the situation so I lay down, transporting myself into its world.
146points
#33 Spa Time!, Nilesh Shah
An elephant herd takes some respite from the scorching heat and dry winds.A dust bath is their favorite way to beat the heat and keep the mosquitoes and other blood suckers at bay.The entire herd rests and rejuvenates together before resuming their colossal grazing.
144points
#34 "Redyk", Bartłomiej Jurecki
The traditional and counting more than 1,900 animals, sheep grazing called "Redyk". From the Low Beskid in mountains to the city of Nowy Targ, Poland. shepherds bring back the animals to the owners who will take care of their sheep during the winter. Animals will come back to the mountains in the spring. It has been a tradition for many centuries to take the flock of sheep to the mountains for grazing.
141points
#35 Jute Worker, Zakir Hossain Chowdhury
A worker is almost hidden by his enormous load of jute
140points
#36 He Went That Way!, Lea Scaddan
Rainbow Bee-eater on the left looked slightly annoyed at being hit in the face by the other bee-eater
136points
#37 In The Blizzard, Vladimir Kochkin
The mountain module on the Vologda land is the only place where it is possible to wait out the bad weather
136points
#38 Honorable Mention, Places: Snowflakes, Rucca Y Ito
Japan’s Blue Pond in Biei-cho, Hokkaido, has become very famous for attracting tourists from around the world. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees. This pond, frozen during winter, was artificially made to prevent river contamination from the nearby active volcano, Mount Tokachi. The accumulated pond water contains high levels of minerals, such as those containing aluminum. The alluring view of the blue pond can take one’s breath away.
133points
#39 Third Place, Places: Road To Ruin, Christian Werner
While on assignment for Der Spiegel, we made a road trip through Syria to document the current situation in major cities. When I first entered the Khalidiya district in Homs, I was shocked. To make this image, I asked a Syrian soldier in charge of the area if I could climb onto a ruin. The soldier agreed, allowing me to climb at my own risk. I climbed up the ruins of a former house—which was full of improvised explosive devices—and took the picture.
129points
#40 Land On Fire, Leighton Lum
Recently the Kilauea volcano erupted causing thousands of gallons of lava to flow into the ocean. It was an incredible sight to witness such power of this eruption!
128points