Nature Photography Winners of National Geographic Photo Contest 2014

National Geographic Photo Contest is an annual competition bringing into view world’s most brilliant images. In 2014 both hobbyist and professional photographers around the globe have submitted more than 9,200 entries in three photo categories: People, Places and Nature. We’ve chosen to present best nature photography submissions as a source of inspiration and delight. Let’s check out Nat Geo editor’s favorite pics and find out more about these amazing nature photographers.

Nature photographer: Nicole Cambré

Nicole Cambré is the winner of National Geographic Photo Contest 2014 in the nature photography category. Her image of the jumping wildebeest also won the nature category of the 1X Photo Awards 2014 and the first prize in the wildlife category of the Monochrome Awards 2015.

Nicole Cambre Nature Photography Winner Photo

Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 Winning Image in Nature Photography Category © Nicole Cambre

Photo Location: North Serengeti, Tanzania.

Nature Photography Entry Description: ‘Jump of the wildebeest at the Mara River’

You can follow Nicole’s photographic work on her Facebook page or website.

Nature photographer: Christian Miller

Christian Miller Nature Photography Honirable Mention Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014

Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 – Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category © Christian Miller

Photo Location: Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Flynn Reef, Australia.

Nature Photography Entry Description: ‘On a windy day right after a Cyclone passed the far northern Great Barrier Reef I took some friends out to the reef. Never before I saw that many glass fish on this particular coral ‘bommie’. Just when I setup my camera, this Napoleon Wrasse swam right through the school of fish building a living frame.’

Check out Christian Miller’s incredible nature photos on his 500px page.

Nature photographer: Prashant Meswani

Prashant Meswani nature photography honorable mention nat geo photo contest

Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category of Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 © Prashant Meswani

Photo Location: Richmond Park, London, UK.

Nature Photography Entry Description: Stag Deer Bellowing in Richmond Park

Other beautiful nature photography examples signed by Prashant Meswani can be found on his 500px page.

Nature photographer: Henrik Nilsson

henrik nilsson nature photography

Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category of Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 © Henrik Nilsson

 

Photo Location: Boundary Bay, BC, Canada.

Nature Photography Entry Description: ‘A wild short eared owl completes a shoulder check in case something was missed. Northern harriers were also hunting in the field and these raptors will often steal a kill from the owls.’

Henrik Nilsson’s nature photography is focused on wildlife. For more inspiring images, take a look at his website.

Nature photographer: Zik Teo

Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category of Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 © Zik Teo

Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category of Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 © Zik Teo

Photo Location: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.

Nature Photography Entry Description: Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, is the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera. It is a collapsed volcano that harbors a range of African wildlife that live in relatively close proximity and competition of each other. Zebras are amongst the most common animals in the crater along with wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, and lions. On a clear day, a 360º view of the crater rim can be seen whilst being inside.

If Zik Teo’s nature pic has captured your interest, visit his 500xp page for more images.

Nature photographer: Maie Kirnmann

Maie Kirnmann nature photography

Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category of Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 © Maie Kirnmann

Photo Location: Estonia, Tabasalu.

Nature Photography Entry Description: Ice art on the window.

Maie Kirnmann is a photographer based in Tallinn, Estonia whose work is centered around landscape and nature photography. Her photographic work can be followed on Facebook.

Nature photographer: Archna Singh

archna singh nature photography

Honorable Mention in the Nature Photography Category of Nat Geo Photo Contest 2014 © Archna Singh

Photo Location: Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Nature Photography Entry Description: ‘This playful fight amongst two young sub adult Tigers was indeed a brilliant life time opportunity, that lasted exactly 4-5 seconds. The cubs were sitting in the grass as dusk approached when suddenly one of them sneaked up behind the other and what happened next is captured in this image. This playful fight among the siblings is what prepares them for their survival in the wild. The sheer power of the Tiger is beautifully captured in this image and portrays the sheer muscle power that these magnificent cats possess. May 5th, 2014, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India.’

Archna Singh is a fashion designer turned photographer. She is passionate about wildlife and landscape photography and her interest in exploring the forests of Africa made her the author of several nature photography exhibitions.

These nature photographers’ submissions were judged for their level of creativity and technical quality by a panel of National Geographic professional. The Grand Prize winner, Nicole Cambré received $10,000 and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she participated in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar at the beginning of this year. Pretty impressive, isn’t it?

You can download these amazing nature photos as free wallpapers from the National Geographic website. Also, we recommend you to explore other galleries of editor’s top pics and try your luck. If you want to submit your best photo, join their competition for a chance to win great prizes. Hurry up! They are still taking submissions for the 2015 Traveler Photo Contest until June 30. Find out more about the National Geographic Photo Contest in our post on photo contests you must enter in 2015.

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Image Sources: National Geographic Photo Contest 2014 Official Page