As a leader in capturing our world through brilliant imagery,

National Geographic

sets the standard for photographic excellence. Last year this contest received more than 7,000 entries from over 150 countries, with professional photographers and amateur photo enthusiasts across the globe participating.

There are three categories:

•

People

•

Places

•

Nature

Submit images that accurately reflect the captured moment in time. In other words, keep it real. Only minor burning, dodging and/or color correction is acceptable, as is cropping.

Photographs must be in digital format. The photograph need not be taken with a digital camera; scans of negatives, transparencies, or photographic prints are acceptable. All digital files must be 20 megabytes or smaller, must be in JPEG or JPG format, and must be at least 1,600 pixels wide (

if a horizontal image

) or 1,600 pixels tall (

if a vertical image

).

Entry fee is 15 USD per entry. There is no limit on the number of entries per person.

Eligibility

This contest is open worldwide only to individuals who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry.

Please note, this contest is void in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.

Prize

The

First Place winner in each category

will each receive US$2,500, and his/her winning photograph will be published in National Geographic magazine.

One Grand Prize winner

will receive, in addition to the First Place prize, US$7,500 and a trip to the District of Columbia, USA from

Jan. 14

to

Jan. 16, 2015

to participate in the National Geographic Photography Seminar.