by Claire O'Neill

In Partnership With National Geographic

Every year, National Geographic's International Photography Contest draws thousands of photos from users around the world. Winners will be entered into the Worldwide International Photography Contest. You can submit up to six photos in three categories — People, Places and Nature — between now and Oct. 31, 2009. Winners will be announced in early December. Here's a selection of some recent submissions. Enter your photos at ngm.com, or just vote for other photographs.

  • "Upon looking into the eye of this ancient species, I found myself mesmerized as if I were gazing into the vastness of space itself, and the millions upon millions of stars and galaxies therein."
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    "Upon looking into the eye of this ancient species, I found myself mesmerized as if I were gazing into the vastness of space itself, and the millions upon millions of stars and galaxies therein."
    Dennis Stewart
  • "This is about one hour of firefly activity near my home in rural Ontario. The precision of the background star trails is an interesting contrast to the chaotic pattern of the firefly flashes."
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    "This is about one hour of firefly activity near my home in rural Ontario. The precision of the background star trails is an interesting contrast to the chaotic pattern of the firefly flashes."
    Steve Irvine
  • "I took this photo at Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand."
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    "I took this photo at Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand."
    Samantha Hopkins
  • "I have a beautiful Peruvian apple cactus in my yard. ... Each flower blooms, never more than one in a given day, around 10:30 p.m. and wilts away by 9:30 the next morning. ... This photo is the result of my capturing this wonderful 'event of nature.'"
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    "I have a beautiful Peruvian apple cactus in my yard. ... Each flower blooms, never more than one in a given day, around 10:30 p.m. and wilts away by 9:30 the next morning. ... This photo is the result of my capturing this wonderful 'event of nature.'"
    Martya Podesta
  • "Darkhan-Uul Aimag countryside, Mongolia. While waiting for the freshly slaughtered sheep to boil, some Darkhan friends enjoy drink and music."
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    "Darkhan-Uul Aimag countryside, Mongolia. While waiting for the freshly slaughtered sheep to boil, some Darkhan friends enjoy drink and music."
    Christopher De Bruyn
  • "A sulfur miner rests at the top of East Java's famous sulfur-belching Ijen crater. To avoid heat and the scorching sun, the miners begin their grueling journey up and down the crater before sunrise. The hardened sulfur is extracted with nothing more than bare hands and a metal rod. ... The heavier the load, the higher the pay."
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    "A sulfur miner rests at the top of East Java's famous sulfur-belching Ijen crater. To avoid heat and the scorching sun, the miners begin their grueling journey up and down the crater before sunrise. The hardened sulfur is extracted with nothing more than bare hands and a metal rod. ... The heavier the load, the higher the pay."
    Mitchell Kanashkevich
  • "On a recent visit to Scotland, I caught this shot of my son standing in the doorway of our house, waiting for me to come inside out of the rain. I really liked how the frame splits the subjects, and while at first he seems so removed from the natural setting, you then glimpse the sky behind him through the window."
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    "On a recent visit to Scotland, I caught this shot of my son standing in the doorway of our house, waiting for me to come inside out of the rain. I really liked how the frame splits the subjects, and while at first he seems so removed from the natural setting, you then glimpse the sky behind him through the window."
    Tracy Lee
  • "My grandfather was born and raised on our New Zealand farm. He and my grandmother were married nearly 60 years. Preparing for a photo in the barley, my grandmother lovingly reached up to adjust his hat. This was his last harvest."
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    "My grandfather was born and raised on our New Zealand farm. He and my grandmother were married nearly 60 years. Preparing for a photo in the barley, my grandmother lovingly reached up to adjust his hat. This was his last harvest."
    Gemma Collier
  • "I found this scene at the top observation deck of N Seoul Tower, in Seoul, South Korea, where many couples gathered on Valentine's Day. Looking from one capital city towards the other, I wonder if these divided countries will ever reunify."
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    "I found this scene at the top observation deck of N Seoul Tower, in Seoul, South Korea, where many couples gathered on Valentine's Day. Looking from one capital city towards the other, I wonder if these divided countries will ever reunify."
    Aaron Brown
  • "Tree nursery, Durham, Ontario, January 2009"
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    "Tree nursery, Durham, Ontario, January 2009"
    Russ Styles
  • Along the Ganges River, Mullik Ghat Flower Market just oozes color and character. In the early morning, people start bringing various flowers and leaves to sell for the day. ... Thousands of vendors shout to customers competing for business as prices drop as the sun begins to set, and the flowers begin to show their expiry.
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    Along the Ganges River, Mullik Ghat Flower Market just oozes color and character. In the early morning, people start bringing various flowers and leaves to sell for the day. ... Thousands of vendors shout to customers competing for business as prices drop as the sun begins to set, and the flowers begin to show their expiry.
    April Maciborka
  • "Darkhan, Mongolia. This self-portrait was taken on a freezing cold January morning. I was fascinated to learn of the ritual of circling the owoo three times before placing three stones upon the monument, demonstrating respect for the mountain."
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    "Darkhan, Mongolia. This self-portrait was taken on a freezing cold January morning. I was fascinated to learn of the ritual of circling the owoo three times before placing three stones upon the monument, demonstrating respect for the mountain."
    Christopher De Bryun

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