Photography is a priceless art that allows the world to relive and revel in one particular moment in time that has been captured by an artist for everyone’s benefit. This allows us to be transported to various precious, astonishing seconds that have been immortalized by a person and a lens. The past year produced some truly captivating images that have been duly recognized by prestigious awards around the world. Here is a list of 9 photographs that deserved their moment in the sun simply because of what they offered to the rest of the world:
9. Diver In The Magic Kingdom
9. Diver In The Magic Kingdom
Once a year during spring, Tragoss, Austria, experiences a unique phenomenon that has been beautifully captured by Marc Henauer during his journey to the region. The melting of snow in the surrounding areas fills the local landscape, allowing divers to stroll through areas that were once accessible by foot. This photograph was awarded third place in the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest in 2014.
8. First Time
8. First Time
This picture took second place in the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest as it captured a rare moment in a highly orthodox district in Jerusalem. The bride and groom, both 18 years of age, are to be left alone for the first time after a speedy arranged marriage during which they never got a chance to even speak to one another. The time after this picture would be their first conversation.
7. The Independence Day
7. The Independence Day
This gargantuan image deservedly won the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest last year. Marko Korosec managed to capture this stunning image of a supercell storm while chasing a storm alert during his time in the Tornado Alley in USA.
6. End Of The World
6. End Of The World
This photograph was aptly named ‘End of the world’ because it was captured at the ‘End of the world’ swing in Banos, Ecuador. You can see the erupting Mt Tungurahua in the background, which is why everyone in the area had to evacuate immediately after the picture was taking due to a swiftly approaching ash cloud.
5. Foggy Small Town
5. Foggy Small Town
This beautiful panoramic image was captured in a small town in the Czech Republic. It won the Merit prize in the 2014 National Geographic Travelers Photo Contest and was captured by Duowen Chen.
4. Divine Makeover
4. Divine Makeover
This beautiful image was taken during the Mayana Soora Thiruvizha festival in India. The child in the picture is being given makeover that pays tribute to the mighty deity Angalamman who is worshiped during this festival. It was taken by photographer Mahesh Balasubramanian.
3. A Well Earned Rest In The Sahara
3. A Well Earned Rest In The Sahara
This great photograph was taken on top of the biggest dune in the Tadrat region of the Sahara Desert. You can see the guide taking a quick nap on top of the dune along with a distant view of the surrounding region in the background.
2. Net Mending
2. Net Mending
This brilliantly constructed image won the award for best photograph in the CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year Award for the Asia-pacific region. It captures the stunning colors surrounding the strict work ethic followed by workers employed to mend nets for workshops in the region.
1. Apocalypse
1. Apocalypse
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same spot but this image proves that nature can be truly unpredictable. This heavy and powerful image was captured by Francisco Negroni and managed to win the best prize in the Earth’s Environment category of Wildlife Photographer of the year award.