Through his series entitled Impetuous World Life, the Chinese artist and illustrator Rlon Wang, based in Shenzhen, reveals some beautiful and colorful illustrations inspired by nature and wildlife, playing with talent with the aesthetics and strength of ancient Japanese and Chinese prints.

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)

Inspired by a walk in the park and spring flowers, Toronto based wedding photographer Daryl Banks seeks to “simulate the intricate beauty of macro flower photography with crinolines, legs and hosiery.” which visually represents of the feelings of the artist about being transgender.

“Nature is beautiful and amazing – i just point my camera at it”. – Black Cat. Photo: “I really need a manicure”! (Photo by Black Cat)