Boy Swimming with ‘Pet Shark,‘ ’Stairway to Heaven,’ & ‘Electrifying Ankor Wat’: Stunning Entries From Nat Geo’s Photo Contest
- Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:59am by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
Since April, National Geographic has been accepting submissions for its Traveler Photo Contest. With the official deadline for photos ending on June 28, the publication has extended the period for an additional entry fee until July 11, bringing the count to more than 9,000 submissions thus far.
Although many of the photographs are stunning in their own way, one has been causing a stir on the Web since late May. The photograph taken by James Morgan shows an Indonesian boy riding on the tail of a tawny nurse shark — something the Huffington Post pointed out is “definitely not something the average beachgoer should attempt.”
"Enal with Pet Shark" (Photo: James Morgan via National Geographic Traveler)
On the entry section of the site, you can see that “Enal with Pet Shark,” which is in the category of spontaneous moments, has 355 Facebook “likes.”
Here is the description from the photo:
Enal, a young sea nomad, rides on the tail of a tawny nurse shark, in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Marine nomadism has almost completely disappeared in South East Asia as a result of severe marine degradation. I believe children such as Enal have stories that could prove pivotal in contemporary marine conservation.
Here are a few other photographs from the contest:
Stairway to Heaven (Photo: Dave Drost via National Geographic Traveler)
"Twice as Fun" (Photo: Alexandre Buisse via National Geographic Traveler)
"Greetings from the Ocean" (Photo: Fabrice Jaine via National Geographic Traveler)
"A Young Boy from Arbore Tribe in Southern Ethiopia" (Photo: Linda Brandi via National Geographic Traveler)
"A Predator's Patience" (Photo: Landon Johnson via National Geographic Traveler)
"Inquisitive Green Turtle" (Photo: Jackie Curtis via National Geographic Traveler)
"Electrifying Ankor Wat" (Photo: Ryan Dayrit via National Geographic Traveler)
"Smile!" (Photo: Emma Birge-Osborn via National Geographic Traveler)
The above photos are only just a small percent of what have been submitted, see the other entries here.
Photographic experts will judge the contest, first picking 10 entries based on certain criteria. From those, they will choose a winner from each prize level.
Winners of the photo contest are up for a National Geographic Galápagos Photography Expedition; a Santa Fe Workshop; a National Geographic Traveler Seminar; and $200 gift certificates to B&H Photo.
Curious to see last year’s grand prize winner? Check it out below:
"Star Gazing at Crater Lake" took the first place prize in 2011. (Photo: Ben Canales via National Geographic Traveler)
(H/T: NPR)
Comments (30)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 695 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 662 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 363 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 248 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
4xeverything
Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:02amIf I had a pet shark, I would name him Squishy and, he would be mine.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 7, 2012 at 1:38pmHey son Jaws is here to play , don’t feed him to much.
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 8:46amSo, what do ya think? Maybe just an arm or a leg? You know, a light snack.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:08pmIn Ethiopia, did they find anymore of Obama’s relatives?
We’re they there legally?
Report Post »lefty5005
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 1:05pmThe PC one will win…
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:47amNumber 8 is great.
Report Post »Thiers 2 create.
Beautyful sight, sate.
Rick Steele
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:38amRe: Shark-Boy: Funny how the N.G. can’t publish a picture without some kind of liberal-tree-huggin message inbedded into it. And who invented the phrase, “Sea-Nomad”? Kind of like an American Indian living off the pure clean praire and eatin’ Buffalo?
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:19amI would have been more impressed if the shark had a frickin laser on his head!
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:42amheheheHAHAHAhahahmmmmm!
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:19am…
Report Post »Stairway to Heaven is beautiful.
Psychosis
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:11amIf Obama had a son he would look like he lad in picture number 5
Report Post »meeester
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:31pmYou aren’t working with the common misconception of President Obama being a black person are you? With 50% Caucasian and about 40+% Arabic background the ***** portion is subtle.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:56amJust a sample of God’s creation. Spectacular !
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:54amAn amateur can take a picture just as well as a pro.
Report Post »Point camera and push button.
Remove lense cover optional.
shogun459
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:43amAre you implying one could become the president,
Report Post »as long as one could read a teleprompter?
RaydocX
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:34amGorgeous photos, but the majority couldn’t have been your typical traveler… If they‘re hyping amateur ’you and I’ photos, those like last year’s winner, clearly are ringers. Ont get me wrong, they’re amazing, but did I see there was a fee to submit? Don’t think any picture my ill point and shoot ever captured would stand a chance.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:43amI don’t know. Moments happen. I’ve been to that exact same spot on Crater Lake. It’s just off the road. Gotta have a good camera and a little luck.
Report Post »Centurian
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:32pmI would disagree. If you ever have a chance, I would recommend that you camp out in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Watching the sun set across Lake Superior or star gazing or spending your day at the Upper and Lower Tahqueamenon Falls, will simply take your breath away.
Point is, anyone can drive a car a few hours from their home and enjoy the beauty the God has created.
Take a picture, load it onto your computer, and use one of several photo programs to clean it up, and “Wha-La”, you have a picture that can be just as good as a pro.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:32am.
Report Post »I kinda like the picture of the guy who could floss with a chicken bone………..
Gonzo
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:39amWhat do you call a boy that swims with sharks? Bait.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:47am.
LOL would have been better if he was swimming with a pet Great White……
Happy after the 4th to ya Gonzo………
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:57amDitto buddy.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:03amHi Gonzo,
It’s OK, the boys last name is Remoras.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:05amAnd Happy after the 4th to both of you. Hope your Holiday was was a blast.
Report Post »Brittany-Imbriaarts
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:30amAmazing pictures
Report Post »deadend
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:24amAwsome spectacular!!!!!!
Report Post »JesterJay
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:21amStairway to Heaven is my Fav very cool
Report Post »Wilma
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:20amFirst photo reminds me of an old CBS Children’s Film Festival movie, “Tiko and the Shark,” about a Polynesian boy who adopts a shark.
Report Post »jhrusky
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:07amBeautiful pictures!
Report Post »cranberry
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:05amBeautiful!
Report Post »