South African singer Tyla, centre, and British editor Anna Wintour, right, attend the Chanel Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Womenswear collection presented Tuesday, March 11, 2025. in Paris. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP Photo)

A woman poses for a photo shoot with the blossom flowers decorated at Ritan Park during the Spring season in Beijing, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Photo by Andy Wong/AP Photo)

Young recruits of the 72nd Chorni Zaporozhtsi Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces attend an exercise, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine on April 5, 2025. Ukraine's Defence Ministry launched a recruitment drive for young people, 18- to 24-year-olds, to serve in the military for a year for the equivalent of about $24,000 and hefty bonuses. (Photo by Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

A wounded Palestinian man awaits medical attention at Khan Yunis' Nasser hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP Photo/Stringer)

The Indian community and supporters living in Brazil celebrate the festival of colors in Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 24, 2024. A Burst of Colors and Tradition Holi, characterized by vivid hues, gulaal, and rituals, transcends mere festivity; it's a grand jubilation of joy and camaraderie. Legend has it that the festival commemorates the triumph of Lord Narasimha over the demon Hiranyakashyap, representing the victory of righteousness over malevolence. (Photo by Dario Oliveira/ZUMA Press Wire/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift early October 2025 reveals “dark fear” that used to plague her before finding Travis Kelce as she opens up about wedding plans. (Photo by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott)

Members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) demonstrate their skills on motor-bikes during the BSF Golden Jubilee Day celebration in New Delhi on December 1, 2015. (Photo by Money Sharma/AFP Photo)

Second Place Winner: “Thunderstorm at False Kiva”. I hiked out to these ruins at night hoping to photograph them with the Milky Way, but instead a thunderstorm rolled through, creating this dramatic image. – Max Seigal. National Geographic Traveler Director of Photography Dan Westergren, one of this year's judges, shares his thoughts on the second place winner: “This photo combines two different scenes into one: the small kiva in a cliff dwelling and the grand vista of Canyonlands National Park across the valley. I really like the two different color palettes – warm inside and purple outside. This two-for-one scene was caused by the lightning storm outside the dwelling, which lit up the landscape like it was a huge electronic flash. Looking at this picture I can imagine what a wonderful sight it must have been for the ancient people who lived here. It doesn't seem too amazing now in our modern world, but might have been mind-blowing for the prehistoric residents”. Location: Utah. (Photo and caption by Max Seigal/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)