See the World Through Smithsonian’s Staggering Photo Competition
Some 46,000 submissions, 168 countries, one astonishing journey around the globe. Smithsonian’s annual photo contest is a highlight for inveterate travelers and armchair jockeys alike. Here are 15 of our favorite finalists, whose raw talent offers an incredible peek into parts unknown.
“The Smithsonian.com photo contest provides our viewers with an exciting visual archive of the world through an amazingly diverse lens,” said Molly Roberts, chief photography editor of Smithsonian magazine, via e-mail. Since 2003 the publication has collected 329,880 images, then geotagged more than 265 thousand of them to 231 countries/territories and 16,481 cities.
Through 11:59 p.m. on March 21, 2016, readers can vote for their favorites among 70 finalists spread across seven categories, such as the American Experience, Natural World, or (new this year) Sustainable Travel. Winners will be announced on March 22. Cast your vote here.