Run by the Society of German Nature Photographers (Gesellschaft Deutscher Tierfotografen), the prestigious annual contest celebrates the best wildlife photography from members in Germany. Here: Landscapes, second place: Florian Smit, “Rainforest” (Danum valley, Borneo). (Photo by Florian Smit/2019 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year)

“These are the stunning shots of one photographer who is putting everyday “selfies” to shame. Paul Zizka, 34, began experimenting with night photography just two years ago and immediately became fascinated with the spectacular scenes he discovered. To create something more unique he started adding himself into the shot – as well as showing others the beautiful surroundings he had been exploring. Using lengthy exposure, the photographer felt that featuring himself in some of his shots – the night sky illuminating the mountains around him – created a relationship between the central figure in the image and the nature around him”. – Caters News. Photo: Paul Zizka in “Galactic Gateway”, Bow Lake, Banff National Park, May 11, 2013. (Photo by Paul Zizka/Caters News)

Moichara or Bull race is a rural festival where a pair of bulls race each other during the monsoon season. This race is performed by a farmer in Parganas, India on July 4, 2021. (Photo by Sumit Sanyal/SOPA Images/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

American actress Sydney Sweeney attending the European premiere of Echo Valley, at BFI Southbank in London on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo by Ian West/PA Wire)

In a simpler time all a child or an adult needed to enjoy the outdoors was a ball and a stick. Or maybe an old tire tied to a high branch to fashion a swing. And the only instruction given to children was to “be home before dark”. Now there are iPads and computers and television screens and shrinking safe public spaces. But despite the distractions and limitations of space, these images show the charm of kicking a ball or skipping rope endures. Sometimes with modifications as a nod to changing times. Here: in this Saturday, June 20, 2015 photo, a boy runs while playing with a motorcycle wheel in Samugari, Ayacucho, Peru. (Photo by Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo)

A demonstrator gestures as she talks with a Lebanese army member during a protest as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, in Beirut, Lebanon on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)

A demonstrator with a Palestinian flag painted on her face takes part in a march to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Beirut, Lebanon on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)

American singer-songwriter FLETCHER celebrates with Tequila Don Julio 1942 at her Pride after party in Los Angeles, CA on June 9, 2023. (Photo by Taylor Kahan)