The National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2012 Winners

One of the most iconic organizations of photojournalism is National Geographic. The documentary institution has produced some of the best photographers of this generation, and continues to inspire newcomers to the medium. With the influx of new photography enthusiasts over the last few years thanks to more affordable camera equipment, National Geographic has opened up its website to amateur photojournalists with its Travelers Magazine and recognized the best of amateur photography. These images are the winners of the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2012.

The 2012 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest saw over 12,000 photographs from 6,615 photographs from all around the world. These entries were individually screened before they were cut down to the final 11 winners: two from each category with one Viewer's Choice selection. The categories are Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place and Spontaneous Moments.

The First Place Winner was "Butterfly" by Cedric Houin, which depicts a traditional nomadic Kyrgyz family living in juxtaposition with technology. Vo Anh Kiet won Second Place with "My Balloon" showing H'mong children play with their balloons on a foggy day. Third Place went to Andrea Guarneri with "Devotees" showing a Christian Passion scene in Trapani.

Other Merit Winners include "Looking into Another World" by Fred An, "Lost in Time - An Ancient Forest" by Ken Thorne, "Underwater Surf" by Lucia Griggi, "Bagan Bliss" by Peter DeMarco, "Old Men with Djellaba" by SauKhiang Chau, "The Village of Gásadalur" by Ken Bower and "Swimming in the Rain" by Camila Massu. The Viewers' Choice went to Michelle Schantz with "Huset".

The full gallery of winners and other entries can be seen on the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2012 page. If you'd like to see more National Geographic goodness, check out National Geographic: The Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series), National Geographic Image Collection, and In Focus: National Geographic Greatest Portraits.