‘Stunning’: See Which Image Won the National Geographic Photo Contest Grand Prize
- Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:09pm by
Liz Klimas
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On a daily basis National Geographic pulls together some of the world’s most compelling nature, wildlife, space and cultural photographs. On a yearly basis, it holds a contest to choose the best one, the candidates for which we reported on earlier this month.
Now, the results are in and the $10,000 grand prize goes to “Splashing” by Shikhei Goh.
Shikhei Goh's "Splashing". (Photo via National Geographic)
The Early Show has more on the winning photograph:
National Geographic reports that Goh, who took the photo on the Indonesian Riau Islands, could have missed out on the shot if he worried enough about getting his camera wet. But, as National Geographic goes on to note, “superb lighting” from the sudden rainstorm trumped the potential for damaged equipment.
Here’s what some judges said of the photograph:
“You can almost feel the dragonfly’s experience of bracing itself against the weather,” said judge Amy Toensing. “When I look at it, I want to say, Hold on tight little buddy!”
The insect’s plight also appealed to judge Peter Essick, who said the photograph gives the dragonfly a “character us humans can relate to.”
“It’s rare indeed to see a photograph that causes the viewer to feel a bond with a member of the animal world seemingly,” Essick said, “but maybe not, so unlike our own.”
“Splashing” also won overall best picture in the Nature category. Check out the photographs garnering honorable mentions in the Nature category here.
See other category winners here.
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Comments (84)
Hatcher
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:10amI have a special respect for dragonflies. A few years ago I spent a week in the boundary waters of Canada. Mosquitoes would constantly attacking me and my buddies. Almost daily when around the campfire a swarm of dragonflies would engulf our campsite. At first, they appear to attack us, but we soon came to realize that it was mosquitoes that were being attacked (often times right off your nose) not us. Soon as the swarm left the mosquitoes were gone. Beautiful picture.
Report Post »Katie822
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 4:43pmYep, you’re right, they do eat mosquitoes. I was out one night watching the sun set and the dragonflies flew around us eating the mosquitoes. They were beautiful. Photograph is incredible!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:22pmIt takes about 4 years for a Dragonfly egg to become a flying Dragonfly and about a week for a Mosquito. Here in Florida, when they spray for Mosquitoes, they kill the Dragonflies also. With the Mosquitoes nature enemy gone, the Mosquitoes flourish even more. Stupid Government scientists!!!
Report Post »CEM
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:43pmHey, MONK, I’m betting that when you were in school, you got C‘s and D’s in English.
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:45pmHey CEM, we all understood exactly what he was saying. Feel better now that you’ve insulted someone?
Report Post »Cemetery
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:00amIt’s cool. I was never really a big photography fan. To me it’s the art subject that is the least creative. Who knows maybe there’s more to it now days than just taking pictures at opportune moments.
Report Post »gr8photoman
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:35pmThere is no more to it now than there has been for the past 150 years…its just that now with digital its cheaper, and everyone who owns and SLR suddenly thinks they’re Cartier-Bresson, or Adams, or McNally.
There is a TREMENDOUS amount of work that goes into a good photograph, and not just good timing (like with this shot) most of the time is VERY well thought out and every single item in the photo is where it is for a reason. A good photograph is not snapped, or taken…it is made.
I understand your comment wasn’t meant to ruffle feathers, but it‘s also obvious you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Report Post »CEM
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:47pmGR8 doesn’t seem to know what he/she is talking about either. lol
Report Post »jim
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:41amNice.
Report Post »GeorgeWashingtonslept here
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:14amI love this picture. How can other posters take it farther than it’s just a pretty picture?…………..amazing.
Report Post »APROUDVETERAN
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:12amAs a photographer – and a professional one – I think its a great shot but certainly not a “stunning” one as reported. Problem with photo contests is they are much too subjective. A “stunning” photo to one judge on a panel of judges, is just “ho-hum” to others.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:03amI liked the blue pond one. Now it is my wallpaper.
Report Post »Joyzee
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:18amDwragon fwry in a wrain won!
Report Post »Teribssn
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:16amRefreshing!
I Love It!
I expected something stupid!
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 7:37amAhhh the “world bankers” are hard at work putting a gun to England’s head for leaving the EU to pay their own bills!!!
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45747480
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 7:50amSo dragon fly and sprinkler won……..wow say alot about the quality of availble photos.
I this one june bug and 70 mile an hour windshield……..lol
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 7:10amIn Alabama we call them snake doctors
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 3:07pmWe also call them snake doctors here in Georgia.
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 5:36amWow! Just Wow!
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 4:47amNever kill a Dragonfly. They eat mosquitoes.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 4:56amor as we call em ’round here: skeeters
Report Post »Jomil48
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 6:52amwe called them snake feeders
Report Post »Sargint Rock
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 2:26pmAnd yellow jackets. I kid you not.After witnessing that lunch (it consumed the wasp head first and stopped at the poison sac) I’ve had a new found respect for the Dragonfly. They kick arse and take names!
Report Post »CarolinaGirl
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 4:08amIt SHOULD be “character WE humans can relate to.”
Report Post »JARHEAD59
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:27pmThank You..
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 3:51amI don’t know about all that existential yet transendent, ‘one with the bug’, warm and fuzzy, ‘bonding’ with a bug stuff.
Report Post »But thats a real nice photograph, no doubt!
The-Monk
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:33amDragonflies and Monks are the best of friends. What you say against a Dragonfly you say against me. So watch your tongue. You may need it in the future.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:39amI live my life in widening rings
which spread over earth and sky.
I may not ever complete the last one,
but that is what I will try.
I circle around God’s primordial tower,
Report Post »and I circle ten thousand years long;
And I still don‘t know if I’m a falcon,
a storm, or an unfinished song.
riseandshine
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:59amDragonflies are cool.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:27amMy late husband and I always put in water features wherever we lived-I still do. These creatures are one of the reasons, Nothing is as fascinating as watching God’s critters and to me dragonflies are really special. I really love this picture, and yeah I can relate to hanging on. Your post is wonderfull.
Report Post »LiveNation
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:01amAfter the Time Person of the year fiasco, I halfway expected a picture of a greasy 99%er. glad that was not the case. Nat Geo has always had great photographers.
Report Post »Tattarax
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:48amTo be honest, it wouldn’t completely surprise me. Nat Geo’s magazine and editorial slant gets a little more and more leftist every year. They‘re completely on board with the Al Gore’s of the world when it comes to “climate change”.
Report Post »tommy_pete
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:52amGood point…. Guess a dragonfly beats a greasy flea-****** any day.
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 3:12pmtommy_pete
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:52am
Good point…. Guess a dragonfly beats a greasy flea-****** any day.
___________________________________________________-
And a heck lot better than welfare clingers.
Report Post »Californiasodbuster
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:01amWho cares about national geographic, they made a hard left turn a few years ago, f__ k them.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:13amSheese, some pretty ugly posts on here , over a photo… Merry effin Christmas everyone !
Report Post »str8blues
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:59amIt is amazing how nasty comments can be over a cool picture. Some people reach deep into the depths of their being to write a comment and negative is all they can pull out. Merry Christmas to all.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:35amOh bug off !
Report Post »kadydid
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:03amBroker is clearly a very sick puppy.
Report Post »SCARY
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:55pmI just reported this ******** post(Broker).And suggested he be kicked off the site.I would encourage all off you to do the same.Somebody needs to draw the line.This should be it.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:11pmThe wife subscribed to Nat Geo. I get it out of the mailbox and drop it in the basket behind the couch. Unopened. After the global warming articles and the corn for fuel propaganda and other nonsense, I never even open it anymore. I subscribe to a photography web site that features worldwide images as good or better than N.G. And my own photos, while not understood, are also viewed daily by the world audience. Nat.Geo. has become an organ for the progressives and has lost it‘s original prominence as far as I’m concerned.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:56pmToo true!
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:26amBuULL—BUSTER
Report Post »Where did you find the pic. of Obo’s brother
Welcome Black Carter
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:05amToo true. I figured the photo would tie into global warming somehow.
Report Post »rich66
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:14pmYou are absolutely correct Rayblue. NG and the Discovery Channel are both so committed to left wing global warming nonsense that I just have to turn it off sometimes.
They have some interesting stuff but then they infuse it with that dopey crap.
Almost as bad as PBS!
Report Post »RedneckJim
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:09pmAgainst the weather? Really? It doesn’t look like the wind is blowing about 40 knots. The fly‘s wings aren’t swept back uncontrollably, and the water drops on the legs hang stationary. Looks to me like the thing is sitting on a reed by a sprinkler.
National Geographic went downhill very quickly about 20-25 years ago when they fired all their staff photographers. Now, apparently, they troll for contribution pics, and thousands of people are willing to send them in just to say they’ve been published by NG. Kind or has as much meaning any more as winning a Nobel Peace Prize, or an Oscar, or an Emmy, or . . .
Report Post »k32rem
Posted on December 22, 2011 at 11:25amHmmm…….. I think you’re right. I didn’t notice until I looked closer after your comments.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:08pmBroker
Everyone that posts on here knows you are a jerk. But low even for you.
Jim
I don’t know about any of your other posts but I think just this one is all we
need to read to know what kind of person you are.
Meteror
I am so sorry for your loss.Sorry also Nat Geo did that to you. I can’t imagine
your pain. I guess reading on this thread doesn’t help you much either. I am
embarrassed for them.
Chet
Report Post »Yours was quiet hatefilled also.
mharry860
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:58pmGeez, certain people, hi-jack much? It’s a beautiful picture.
Report Post »Falsegods
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:14pm1corinthians,14
Report Post »…I also sing praise with my mind…in the church
I would rather speak five words with my mind, so as to
Instruct others also,
Than ten thousand words in a tongue.
The Third Archon
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 2:25amRight?
Report Post »Cosmos102
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:48pmI’m sorry for your loss, Meteoriclimbo. No wonder you hate NatGeo so much. Who wouldn’t?
As for the winning photo, Aaaaa! I’ve seen better. Cameras are so advanced at stop motion photography. Just check it out for yourselves. Google images for stop motion photography.
The photograph was taken in Indonesia…isn’t that where our president was raised?
Report Post »motorcycleboy
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:10pmI‘m glad you weren’t a judge. The blur of the droplets suggests motion. With too fast of a shutter speed there would have been no suggestion of motion.
Photography 101.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:14pmNat Geo did a Special called Frontier Justice that informed the world my son had committed suicide before the police even knew….Charming isn’t it?
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:19pmWhat does that mean?
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:23pmI think it would seem as though a story comes before the facts…..the coroners office was not even done gathering evidence.
Report Post »Jim
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:30pmYour son is a Dragonfly?!?!
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:32pmbroker0101 that is some cold stuff. What a wonderful person you must be.
Report Post »Amica
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:38pmI usually try to avoid name calling, but I can’t resist it here. Broker101, you’re a jerk.
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:42pmWell, they were right, weren’t they?
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:43pm@METEORCLIMBO I am so sorry for your loss..I cannot imagine losing a son or daughter..and that would make the pain so much more intense..The questions…I heard something on K-Love radio today about a young girl who was bullemic or anoxexic..she also cut herself..she was so unhappy that she had decided to end her life..so she awakeded groggily and half asleep..she searched for her favorite rap station and instead of turning her radio up she mistakenly turned it down reaching that station..She listened to that station all nignt..She was embarrassed to tell her classmates as she was top of her class.. and so she told her sister what she had almost done and together they figured out a way to resolve her problems..So anyone is capable of getting in a funk like that feeling there is no way out…Again..I am very sorry for you loss..It could happen to any of us..for it rains on the just and the unjust…May God give you peace..
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:43pm@AMICA: “I usually try to avoid name calling, but I can’t resist it here. Broker101, you’re a jerk.”
Report Post »___________________
Agree!
Jenny Lind
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:38amI am sorry for your loss, may you someday find some peace in your soul, Nat Geo really blew it by not fact checking, they caused you extra pain. The least they could do is apologize for adding hurt to you and your family. I hope they did, because that went way past insensatve. I stopped reading when it got caught up in certain causes. My heart hurt’s for your sorrow. God bless you.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 4:34pmMay peace be with you Broker and I hope your Christmas is Merry and full of cheer.
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