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)

This photo taken on March 10, 2025 shows the former disaster prevention office building in Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, lit up on the eve of the 14th anniversary of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. (Photo by JIJI Press/AFP Photo)

A member of the public wears a pandemic face mask ahead of the prime minister announcing the government's Covid-19 winter strategy on September 13, 2021 in Manchester, England. Tomorrow, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out his plan to manage Covid-19 through the winter, including what actions would need to be taken if the NHS hospital system were at risk of being overwhelmed. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

2016 Rio Olympics, Athletics, Women's Heptathlon Javelin Throw, Groups, Olympic Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 13, 2016. Evelis Aguilar (COL) of Colombia competes in Javelin group A women's heptathlon. (Photo by Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Two giant puppets, a deep sea diver and his niece, roam through the streets of Liverpool, northern England, and April 20–23 looking for each other during the Sea Odyssey festival. The free event, organized by the French company Royal de Luxe is one of a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of The Titanic. The liner, registered in Liverpool, sank on its maiden voyage to New York on April 15, 1912.

Photo: A giant deep sea diver emerges from the Albert Dock to begin a journey through the streets of Liverpool during the Titanic Sea Odyssey on April 20 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong)

Grand champion Hakuho (front) barely defeats Daieisho on the first day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on March 14, 2021. (Photo by Kyodo News/Newscom/Profimedia)

Revelers of the “Societe des Champs Elysee” launch fireworks before boarding the Rampart-St. Claude street car line, which just opened last fall, to commemorate the official start of Mardi Gras season, in New Orleans, Friday, January 6, 2017. (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP Photo)

A Star Wars fan in an R2-D2 costume poses for a photo outside the venue during a fan convention called the Star Wars Celebration in Chiba, near Tokyo, Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Hiro Komae/AP Photo)