Beautiful Faces On Earth

The beautiful faces on Earth: Stunning portraits of the human race captured in National Geographic's 2013 Traveler Photo Contest A selection of photographs submitted for the portraits category in the 25th annual National Geographic contest The stunning beauty and diversity of the human race is captured in a series of photographs that have been submitted for this year's National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest. Every year National Geographic asks the world's adventurers and travelers to submit their best photographs into the contest which features four categories including portraits, outdoor scenes, sense of place and spontaneous moments. Amateur and professional photographers can still submit their best pictures up until June 30, but the National Geographic has kindly shared with us some of the stunning entries already received for the travel portraits category, which features stunning images from around the world of people working, playing and celebrating. The range of entries is impressive and shows just how diverse our planet and its inhabitants are. The photographers have share stunning travel experiences from around the globe including fishermen in China, schoolchildren in Namibia and monks in Myanmar. The winner of the 2013 Traveler Photo Contest will receive a 10-day National Geographic Expedition to the Galápagos and have their prized photo published in National Geographic Traveler magazine. Runner up with be awarded a seven-day National Geographic Photography Workshop, while third prize is a six-day cruise on a Maine windjammer schooner for two. To enter the competition, now in its 25th year, click here. Photo and caption by Andrey Pavlov: This photo was taken on the bank of Li-River close to Xingping fishing village. Mr. Huang and his four brothers are from the last fishermen that still keep the tradition of fishing using specially trained cormorants. In recent days, this ancient technique has transformed into a tourist attraction and a source of income for Mr. Huang, who desperately needs funds for buying medicines for his sick wife. Location: Xingping, Guangxi province, China Photo and caption by Frieda Vanhee: On a gas station we met another car waiting for fuel. Location: Caprivi region Namibia Photo and caption by Cynthia MacDonald: Kibera is located just outside of Nairobi and is the largest slum in Africa with over a million people. It is built on piles and piles of garbage which is painfully obvious while walking the streets. Location: Kibera, Nairobi Photo and caption by Jennifer Holmes Beamer. While traveling through Tasmania, we took a detour to find this spectacular lavender field. After a soothing meander among endless fields of fragrant lavender we were ready for a nap in the red soil. Location: Tasmania Australia Photo and caption by Cynthia MacDonald. A father and daughter with a fish in the net at sunset on Inle Lake, Myanmar. Location: Inle Lake, Myanmar Photo and caption by Stylianos Papardelas. Children playing in the backstreets of old Varanasi. An explosion of colors, smiles and energy. Location: Varanasi, India Photo and caption by Chet Stein. An unexpected mix of the modern world with the traditional world. Location: Mt. Hagan, Papua New Guinea Photo and caption by Joyce Le Mesurier. At the annual Ananda Harvest Festival in Bagan, Myanmar, thousands of monks from all over Myanmar came to receive alms. While walking around the vast temple grounds, I chanced upon this boy monk who was playing with his toy gun. Even though it was only a toy gun, I found this image a disturbing juxtaposition of the peace that Buddhism embodies and the violence that guns symbolize. Location: Bagan, Myanmar Photo and caption by Kim Hino. The children in the remote villa of Kong Lo in Laos were simply beautiful in the innocence of their smiles and curiousity for these strangers among them, that after playing about in a pile of hay, they were even more comfortable in front of the camera and their true spirit in what I experienced in the simplicity that they enjoyed around them and shared with me came through. The symbolism in there chosen pose here speak volumes to me. Location: Kong Lo, Laos Photo and caption by Michael Siy. Exploring Sa Pa village their way of living, their traditional colorful clothing, i was able to capture this three H'Mong kids playing outside their house. Location: Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province, Northwest Vietnam Photo and caption by Thomas Pieters. I was taking some shots on the beach of Taghazout, Morocco, when this little guy came up to me asking in what hand he was holding a coin. After playing along I asked if I could take his picture. Location: Taghazout, Agadir province, Morocco Photo and caption by Manna Michela. This picture has been taken during the Holi festival in India. Location: Jaipur Indi