Everybody knows what the best thing about the end of the year is. It’s easy. No, it’s not Christmas presents. Or seeing family over the holidays. The best thing about the end of the year is National Geographic’s Photo Contest. It’s a tradition where we get to see just how awesome the world around us is.
These pictures aren’t even official winners and they’re stunning. National Geographic is going through their selection process but we’ve picked a few of our favourites from Nature, Places and People. Such amazing work.
The shot above was taken by photographer Hasan Baglar at Nicosia, Cyprus of two mantis, who look a lot like flamenco dancers. You can see more of the photographs from the photo contest at National Geographic and see some of the best shots, week by week, here.
Nature
Picture: Matthew Smith
Picture: Lorenzo Mittiga
Picture: Colin Mackenzie
Picture: Montse Grillo
Picture: Istvan Kerekes
Picture: Rick Loesche
Picture: Henrik Nilsson
Places
Picture: Takashi Nakagawa
Picture: Hiroki Kondo
Picture: Yusuke Sakai
Picture: Cezary Filew
Picture: Melih Sular
Picture: Beverly Houwing
Picture: Hiroshi Tanita
People
Picture: Shao Hua Luo
Picture: Brian Callaway
Picture: Francisco Mingorance
Picture: Hidenobu Suzuki