10 incredible images from the Smithsonian photo competition

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Smithsonian.com, a publication of the Smithsonian Institution, has announced the finalists of its 14th annual photo contest.

Over 48,000 photos were submitted by photographers representing 146 countries and territories, with ten finalists selected across the following categories: The Natural World, Travel, Sustainable Travel, People, Mobile, The American Experience, and Altered Images.

Voting is currently open for the Readers’ Choice award, which will be announced alongside the Grand Prize and category winners on March 28. If you would like to vote, visit Smithsonian.com to see all the other finalists and vote for the Readers’ Choice winner.

Last Dance: A couple dances in the backyard of a home in the West Village neighborhood of Detroit. Amy Sacka, Detroit, Michigan
Last Dance: A couple dances in the backyard of a home in the West Village neighborhood of Detroit. Amy Sacka, Detroit, Michigan
Surreal: A man bikes by an octopus statue at the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada. Alina Rudya, Berlin, Germany
Surreal: A man bikes by an octopus statue at the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada. Alina Rudya, Berlin, Germany
Firewalking: Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over burning charcoal. In Ha Giang, a mountain province in northern Vietnam bordered by China, the Pa Then ethnic group observes this practice to wish for prosperity in the new year. Binh Duong, Hanoi, Vietnam
Firewalking: Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over burning charcoal. In Ha Giang, a mountain province in northern Vietnam bordered by China, the Pa Then ethnic group observes this practice to wish for prosperity in the new year. Binh Duong, Hanoi, Vietnam
Noon: Shot in Poly Plaza, Beijing, China. Jian Wang, Beijing, China
Noon: Shot in Poly Plaza, Beijing, China. Jian Wang, Beijing, China
Take Me Away Deer! Since ancient times, the Nenets have led a nomadic life. Reindeer harnessed to sleds is the most reliable form of transport on the tundra, and the people of the North make use of their navigational abilities. In severe conditions, such as a blinding snow storm, deer are not only loyal companions, but sometimes the only hope for survival. Tamil Nureev, Noviy Urengoy, Russia.
Take Me Away Deer! Since ancient times, the Nenets have led a nomadic life. Reindeer harnessed to sleds is the most reliable form of transport on the tundra, and the people of the North make use of their navigational abilities. In severe conditions, such as a blinding snow storm, deer are not only loyal companions, but sometimes the only hope for survival. Tamil Nureev, Noviy Urengoy, Russia.
Swamp Raccoon: While I was looking for alligators at a swamp in Louisiana, this beautiful little creature wandered out of the murky waters right into the morning light. Kim Aikawa, Santa Rosa, California.
Swamp Raccoon: While I was looking for alligators at a swamp in Louisiana, this beautiful little creature wandered out of the murky waters right into the morning light. Kim Aikawa, Santa Rosa, California.
Turtle-Back Ride: The thing that draws me to the ocean the most is that I never know what I’m going to come across on any given day. I count myself extremely fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to capture this image. Michael B. Hardie, Hawaii.
Turtle-Back Ride: The thing that draws me to the ocean the most is that I never know what I’m going to come across on any given day. I count myself extremely fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to capture this image. Michael B. Hardie, Hawaii.
The Longing of an Opera Artist: Mdm Tai, a Chinese opera artist for the past forty odd years, thinks of her children while preparing for her performance. She, like most of the opera artists, is away for months traveling to one place to another, far away from her home. The Chinese opera is a custom that is slowly being diminished, taken over by modern performances. It is worth seeing and it is with hope that, through images, the custom will be sustained for future generations.Nick Ng, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.
The Longing of an Opera Artist: Mdm Tai, a Chinese opera artist for the past forty odd years, thinks of her children while preparing for her performance. She, like most of the opera artists, is away for months traveling to one place to another, far away from her home. The Chinese opera is a custom that is slowly being diminished, taken over by modern performances. It is worth seeing and it is with hope that, through images, the custom will be sustained for future generations.Nick Ng, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.
Break Time: Break time during a street theater festival known as FITECA. Periphery of Lima, Peru. Sharon Castellanos, Cusco, Peru.
Break Time: Break time during a street theater festival known as FITECA. Periphery of Lima, Peru. Sharon Castellanos, Cusco, Peru.
The Bear Odd Couple: My wife and I were visiting Cabárceno Natural Park with our kids when we realized that dozens of bears were just in front of us. I got the camera and my 70-200mm and took almost two hundred pictures. Then I saw this bear odd couple that seemed to be upset with each other but together. It reminded me of
The Bear Odd Couple: My wife and I were visiting Cabárceno Natural Park with our kids when we realized that dozens of bears were just in front of us. I got the camera and my 70-200mm and took almost two hundred pictures. Then I saw this bear odd couple that seemed to be upset with each other but together. It reminded me of "The Odd Couple" movie with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Alfonso Dominguez, Laguna De Duero, Spain
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