Cage

Attention

Silence

Lund

Contemplation

Destination Unknown

Lonley Wait

Welcoming The Sun

Friends

Freedom

Light Bulb

train that runs from Beijing to Lhasa

Mark Unrau, who works in the Canadian mining industry, has been taking photographs for about ten years. Unrau snapped this image on the train that runs from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet. The rail line—one of the world's highest railroad routes—had been completed just a month earlier. Many Tibetans feel the train is bad for their people and culture, but the Chinese have hailed it as a major technological achievement and said it will promote tourism. Unrau wanted to document the controversial new train. He took the photograph early in his 26-hour journey. "The woman was sitting in front of me for the duration of the ride," says the photographer, "and was glued to the window staring out at the expansive scenery." So that his subject wouldn't feel uncomfortable, Unrau angled the camera toward the window rather than pointing it directly at her. "That is why she's tucked way into the corner of the image," he explains. (Canon 5D digital camera, 24-105mm L- lens, exposure at 1/125 second at F/9.0, ISO 640)

historic Island Theatre

Every summer, Robert Gates—a professor of English at Syracuse University—spends a week on Martha's Vineyard. Over the years, Gates has taken various photographs of the historic Island Theatre. "This year I wanted a night shot with my new 35mm f/1.4 lens," he says. "I spent about an hour in front of the theater, knowing that I wanted to include the lighted window with the film reel and projector showing. I took photos as people walked by. Then the ticket-taker stepped out of her booth to smoke a cigarette, and I thought that made a better photo. Then the man walked out with the reel in his hand, and I knew I had my shot." Gates studied photography at the University of Iowa School of Art many years ago while he was finishing his Ph.D. in English. He lost interest in photography over time, but then he started shooting seriously again about five years ago and moved from film to digital. "I like to travel," Gates says, "but I really like to find interesting images everywhere." (Canon 5D digital camera, Canon 35mm f/1.4L lens, exposure at 1/90 second at F/2.5, ISO 400) Prize courtesy of

Ecuadorian women in the Andean village

Fernando Rodríguez captured this image of Ecuadorian women in the Andean village of Quilotoa. In one of the town's houses, he met Miguel Ángel Jácome Umaquinga, a Tigua artist who paints small pictures of the area's volcano and lake. "I was photographing Miguel Ángel while he was painting," Rodríguez says, "when I realized that his wife [seated], daughter, and sister were staring at me. I turned my tripod 180 degrees, and I took several photos of the scene." Rodríguez adds: "The huge contrast between the sadness of their faces and the brightness of their clothing were what made me take the photograph." It was around 3:30 in the afternoon when Rodríguez took this image. There wasn't enough natural light from the window, so he needed to use a flash to illuminate the faces of his subjects. Rodríguez has a background in economics, marketing, and advertising, but, he says, "I love traveling and photography, and I always try to combine both passions the best I can." He's traveled in more than 50 countries around the globe, mostly in Europe and Southeast Asia. Rodríguez says his dream project would be to put together a book or an exhibition of portraits of people from around the world. (Nikon D200 digital camera, AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1:2.8 G ED lens, exposure at1/60 second at f/2.8, ISO 100) Prize courtesy of the Schooners American Eagle and Heritage.

Katarzyna Sobocinska, a film student in London, visited Nigeria

Katarzyna Sobocinska, a film student in London, visited Nigeria in February 2007 as part of a crew shooting a short student film. "We spent most of the time in a village called Itekun," she says. "People from the village, especially children, were fascinated by the film set." This girl didn't see Sobocinska at first. "I was waiting for the moment when she'd look at me without yet knowing what I was trying to do. I released the camera button exactly when she noticed me." (Canon EOS400D digital camera, Canon EF 75-300mm zoom lens, exposure at1/160 second at f/5.0, ISO 200) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008.

Kim Behrens Hayes got this shot during a vacation in Peru

Kim Behrens Hayes got this shot during a vacation in Peru. "This was photographed in a town square in Cusco as the sun was going down behind the mountains," she says. "I was drawn to the scene by the energy of the people and, of course, the light. I love backlit images." Seattle resident Hayes, who was a student and waitress when she took this photo, recently married and hopes to become a professional photographer. (Canon 20D digital camera, 24-105mm lens set at 24mm, exposure at 1/400 second at f/9, ISO 400) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008

Nancy Folk

Nancy Folk, a scientist who lives near St. Louis, took this image from a zodiac in the Antarctic sound. This was the first time she'd used a digital camera. "I like photographing the natural world," says Folk, who has been to Africa, the Galápagos, and Alaska. "Because of the ever-changing environment, I feel compelled to visit areas that are endangered." For 2008, she's planning a trip to photograph the Sandhill crane migration in Nebraska and gray wolves in Yellowstone. (Nikon D80 digital camera, Nikon ED-IF 18-135 mm zoom lens, exposure at 1/500 second at f/5.6, ISO 100) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008.

Joshua Smith, a California farmer

Joshua Smith, a California farmer, took this photo during a day-trip to San Francisco. He was there during the Brides of March, when about 100 people don wedding dresses and parade through the streets. Smith made this image at the Tunnel Top bar in late afternoon. He was attracted to the light and rich colors, as well as the surreal scene. "I was drawn to this pair because they were such an odd couple. I like looking at people and their relationship with the planet." (Canon 20D digital camera, F series 17-35mm lens shot at 17 mm, exposure at 1/100 second at ISO 800) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008.

Niger

Merit Prize: Ljuba Lassala, Los Angeles, CaliforniaNikon Coolpix Digital Camera and a Bogen National Geographic Prize PackageLiuba Lassala took this picture during a trip to Niger, where she was working with TurtleWill, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in Ethiopia, Mali, and Niger. One day the group came across a herd of cattle at a well. "I was amazed by these huge horns all in a row," she says. Lassala, who is just 20 years old, recently finished a visual journalism degree at the Brooks Institute. She'd love to take another trip to Africa. (Nikon D200 digital camera, Nikon 17-55 mm zoom lens at 24mm, exposure at 1/2000 second, f/7.1, ISO 200) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008.

Larry Louie, Edmonton, Alberta

Merit Prize: Larry Louie, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaNikon Coolpix Digital Camera and a Bogen National Geographic Prize PackageIn April 2007, Larry Louie visited remote villages in Gansu, a northern Chinese province. "It was between the end of winter and before any signs of spring. Everything was bleak and desolate." Louie was invited into a number of homes. "I was amazed at the dignity and gentleness of the people, and their incredible devotion to their faith. This elderly gentleman lives very simply in a hut with three generations of his family. He always has his prayer beads with him." (Canon 5D digital camera, Canon 24-105mm f/4 L-series lens at 24mm, exposure at 1/60 second, f/4.0, ISO 400) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008.

Charles Meacham, Taipei

Merit Prize: Charles Meacham, Taipei, TaiwanNikon Coolpix Digital Camera and a Bogen National Geographic Prize PackageCharles Meacham lives in Taiwan, where he teaches English. "I teach for a year, save everything, and travel for a year, then I then return home broke and start the process over again." Meacham captured this image during a Sikh festival called Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib, India. "I was taking pictures of this young boy and his father when another man handed the boy this gun. It was really too heavy for him to hold, so I only had a second or two to capture the image." (Canon 5D digital camera, Canon 28-70 2.8L 28 mm lens, exposure at 1/100 second at f/2.8, ISO 250) Bogen prize package includes National Geographic Tundra Monopod; National Geographic Tundra Tripod with 3-way head; and an Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag.This year's 19th annual photo contest received over 27,000 entries, up some 12,000 from last year. Start polishing your skills early with one of Traveler's photo seminars and look for the announcement of our next contest in May 2008.