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Photo and caption by Shikhei Goh
Grand Prize Winner and Nature Category Winner"Splashing"
This photo was taken when I was taking photos of other insects, as I normally did during macro photo hunting. I wasn't actually aware of this dragonfly since I was occupied with other objects. When I was about to take a picture of it, it suddenly rained, but the lighting was just superb. I decided to take the shot regardless of the rain. The result caused me to be overjoyed, and I hope it pleases viewers.Location: Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia
I think the NGS judges really got this one right.
National Geographic reports:
WASHINGTON —Shikhei Goh of Indonesia is the winner of the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest. Goh will have his winning image of a dragonfly bracing for a big splash published in worldwide editions of National Geographic magazine. In addition, he will receive $10,000 (USD) and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2012.
More than 20,000 photographs were submitted to the contest from over 130 countries, with both professional photographers and amateur photo enthusiasts participating. Photographs were submitted in three categories: people, places and nature.
More photos at the National Geographic Photo Contest 2011 site.
Photo and caption by George Tapan
Places Category Winner"Into the Green Zone"
A beautiful rainbow after the rain, into the green zone of the Palawan Islands.Location: Onuk island, Balabac Palawan,Philippines
Photo and caption by Izabelle Nordfjell
People Category Winner": The Fjellman Family"
One shot and the reindeer is dead. The Sámi family Fjellman, which lives in Arjeplog, northern Sweden, now have food on their table. In the early autumn they slaughter a couple of their reindeers for food during the cold winter months.Location: Arjeplog, Lappland, Sweden
National Geographic awarded its grand prize to an image of a dragonfly. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Leave a Comment:
I love the dragonfly, the beach is nice. I HATE the ugly mean face of the hunter. The poor child will remember the look on his father's face for a lifetime. UGLY !
You mean the look of determination on his face while being completely focused on providing the food necessary for his family so they can eat in the winter? I think maybe his child will remember he had a full belly that year.
Maybe it would be different if you saw it from the point of view of someone who struggles to provide, rather than driving out in your warm car to the heated grocery store and purchasing food from freezers in the aisles.
Go dad! Awesome picture.
Couldn't have said it better myself, DemonGraveWolf - people need some perspective and an understanding of how most of the rest of the world works. Picking a pack of hamburger from the magical hamburger tree at the grocery store isn't how things happen elsewhere.
Wonderful pictures...although the beach one seemed too contrived for my taste. It would have been more appealing if the woman had been left out.
I think the other two did exactly what they were suppose to do. Bring about a response. Some of the best photos I have ever seen were of subjects I completely abhor. Pictures of the dust bowl with weathered men and women, the depression food lines, the holocaust. Horrible subjects...beautiful pictures.
It's odd when you think of it...both the dragonfly and the hunter are "holding on for dear life". Wish there had been more to browse through.
Books, art and music....food for the soul.
Ines...that boy will someday be out there killing the reindeer himself for the same reason his father is doing it...to feed the family!
Ugly never wins...wonder does !
Ines - I think that picture of the hunter is awesome. A hard luck family in the far north. Cool picture. Very cool.
I'm buying a lot about 100 yards from a beach just like that in march. Paradise
Crisp!
I love the picture of the dragonfly. It captures the little guy's determination to hang on for dear life.
I like to see that hunter grab a knife and have a go at that prey. He looks like a complete goof hiding behind his truck. Real tough guy with a high powered riffle, probably beats his women too...
He's not "hiding". He's balancing his rifle on his elbows on the hood and looking through the scope. Think: steady hands. He's either just taken the shot and leaned up or he's about to take it and lean down.
Seriously, Banaschar? Are you that much of an idiot that you believe your own commentary? He isn't hiding behind his truck - he's using it to steady his rifle to ensure that he places his round perfectly so as to instantly kill the animal in a humane way. Your idea of using a knife would ensure a much longer, more painful death. And your comment about him beating women . . . disgusting and hateful. So, are you a vegan? If you eat any meat you are just as responsible for the deaths of animals as this man is - at least he's honest enough and man enough to go out and do it himself instead of using proxies and being a coward and "hiding" behind his grocery cart like you do.
There is an old proverb that goes "one mans trash is another mans treasure". The photo of the hunter elicits a wide variation of emotions. For those that don't hunt (myself included), you might think this man is a neanderthal. For those that live in a similar type of environment, you marvel at the fact that the man is responsibly feeding his family for the winter.
So easy a cave man could do it...
Sami usually own reindeer,so I wouldn't consider the Sami a hunter,as he is shooting reindeer from his herd.How is this any different then a farmer killing a cow,pig or chicken to provide for his family?
its not, people are just weak and naive and don't understand the circle of life
I get that anti-hunting folks complain about sport shooting, but the picture and caption are pretty clear ... some families need food and don't have the luxury of driving up to the organic market to throw down a bunch of cash. The man's family is hungry. Would you rather him plant some veggies and wait a few months? Or put a bullet in a deer and feed them tonight?
And for the record, hunting is probably the most human way to live on meat. No crowded cages, no squalor conditions, just open range until something comes along and kills it ... just like in the wild.
Any Texas redneck could have taken the same picture in Texas. Just not sure how it made the list. I am baffled.
The hunter picture has 2 subjects and the forgound shows the son, father further away. Focus still is the Father. There is a story there. Maybe, father determined to provide, child afraid of the noise and killing. Or, focus on Father shows he is the stronger one, blurred son shows his weakness. Or, Father teaching young son the facts of life.
Not any Redneck in Texas or just any photographer could capture this story. This picture is not about just enjoying art because it makes you feel good, it's about art making you think.
if it didnt have the story this pic would be unremarkable IMO
He's not scared of the noise, but your fingers make really good and cheap ear protection.
Now Dasher, Now Dancer
Now Prancer, Now Vixen
On Comet, On Cupid
On Donder and (BAM!!!! BAM, BAM!!!!) OH MY GOD!!!! THEY'VE SHOT BLITZEN!!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! *<{8{>
Calvin: Thank You! LMAO
great photos, especially the one of the dragonfly. but am i the only one who doesn't believe that it splashed intentionally, and it's not rain falling?
i am a bit skeptical about this photo too. the photographer's other nature photos are more obviously contrived. That's fine, but should disclose the truth.