The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest

The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest

A volcano spewing ash, magical forest fireflies, and a monkey who feels just like we all do about winter weather. These are just a few of the remarkable photos from the Smithsonian’s annual photo contest.

GRAND PRIZE: Photo: Remaining on the Slopes of Mount Sinabung Credit: ©Albert Ivan Damanik. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Mount Sinabung, seen from village of Jeraya, North Sumatra, Indonesia

The winning photos for 2015, released this week, were selected from more than 46,000 submissions. The grand prize winner, seen above, was taken this summer in Indonesia by Albert Ivan Damanik during the eruption of Mount Sinabung.

You can see all the winners and finalists over at Smithsonian, with an archive dating back over the last 13 years. Or submit your own photo to the 2016 contest, which is now open for entries.

The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
ALTERED IMAGES CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: Synchronous Fireflies Credit: © Radim Schreiber. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont, Tennessee

ALTERED IMAGES CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: Synchronous Fireflies Credit: ©Radim Schreiber. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont, Tennessee
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
TRAVEL CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: Women’s Compartment of a Suburban Train Credit: © Tamina­Florentine Zuch. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Mumbai, India

TRAVEL CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: Women’s Compartment of a Suburban Train Credit: ©Tamina­Florentine Zuch. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Mumbai, India
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL WINNER : Photo: My Time Credit: © Tihomir Trichkov. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Likoni, Mombasa, Kenya

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL WINNER: Photo: My Time Credit: ©Tihomir Trichkov. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Likoni, Mombasa, Kenya
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
READERS’ CHOICE WINNER: Photo: Orient Express Credit: © Alice van Kempen. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Belgium

READERS’ CHOICE WINNER: Photo: Orient Express Credit: ©Alice van Kempen. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Belgium
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
PEOPLE CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: Lay Off Credit: © Benedetta Ristori. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Kyoto, Japan

PEOPLE CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: Lay Off Credit: ©Benedetta Ristori. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Kyoto, Japan
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
NATURAL WORLD CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: A Little Monkey on the Cliff Credit: © Hidetoshi Ogata. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Jigokudani Monkey Park, N agano Prefecture, Japan

NATURAL WORLD CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: A Little Monkey on the Cliff Credit: ©Hidetoshi Ogata. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
MOBILE CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: The China Red Credit: © Jian Wang. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Olympic Forest Park, Beijing, China

MOBILE CATEGORY WINNER: Photo: The China Red Credit: ©Jian Wang. All rights reserved. Location of Photo: Olympic Forest Park, Beijing, China
The 9 Most Breathtaking Images From The Smithsonian’s Annual Photo Contest
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE WINNER: Photo: Trucker Chapel Credit: © Lauren Pond. All rights reserved. Location of photo: Lodi, Ohio.

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE WINNER: Photo: Trucker Chapel Credit: ©Lauren Pond. All rights reserved. Location of photo: Lodi, Ohio.


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