National Geographic Photograph Awards 2012, Part 2

Honourable Mention: 

‘Eerie Eiffel’, Indira Swari Wonowidjojo 

The winter gloomy day worked to my advantage to create this eerie feeling of the famous landmark Eiffel tower.

Honourable Mention: 

‘Predation up close and personal’, Francesca Harlijanto 

I was surrounded by thousands of fish that moved in synchrony because of the predation that was happening. It was an incredible experience.

Viewers’ choice for Places: 

‘Iceberg Hunters’, Adam Coish 

Chipping ice off an iceberg is a common way for the Inuit community to retrieve fresh drinking water while on the land. During a weekend long hunting trip, we came upon this majestic iceberg frozen in place. It was a perfect opportunity to grab enough ice and drinking water for the remainder of the trip. 

First Place for Places: 

‘The Matterhorn’, Nenad Salijic 

The Matterhorn 4478 m at full moon.

Viewers’ choice People: 

‘Expedition Admundsen’, Kai-Otto Melau 

A race that follows in the path of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen brings the contestants to the Hardangervidda Mountainplateu, Norway. 100km across the plateau, the exact same route Amundsen used to prepare for his South Pole expedition in 1911 is still used by explorers today. Amundsen did not manage to cross the plateau and had to turn back because of bad weather. He allegedly said that the attempt to cross Hardangervidda was just as dangerous and hard as the conquering of the South Pole. The group in the picture used the race as preparations for an attempt to cross Greenland.

First Place for People: 

'Amongst the Scavengers', Micah Albert 

At the end of the day women are allowed to pick through the dump site. 

Viewers’ choice for Nature: 

‘Tender Moment’, Sanjeev Bhor 

Everyday in mara starts with something new and different and day ends with memorable experiences with spectacular photographs . I was very lucky of sighting and photographing Malaika the name of female Cheetah and her cub . she is well known for its habit to jump on vehicles. She learned that from her mother Kike, and Kike from her mother Amber.Like her mother she is teaching lessons to her cub . Teaching lessons means addition of another moment for tourist . This is one of the tender moment between Malaika and her cub . I was very lucky to capture that moment 

First Place for Nature and Grand Prize: 

‘The Explosion’, Ashley Vincent 

The subject's name is Busaba, a well cared for Indochinese Tigress whose home is at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand. I had taken many portraits of Busaba previously and it was becoming more and more difficult to come up with an image that appeared any different to the others. Which is why I took to observing her more carefully during my visits in the hope of capturing something of a behavioural shot. The opportunity finally presented itself while watching Busaba enjoying her private pool then shaking herself dry. In all humility I have to say that Mother Nature smiled favourably on me that day!