Stunning photographs from National Geographic

The National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest is extremely well known in the travel photography world, and 2013 marks a special year as it is the 25th anniversary of the competition. But don't be daunted by the prospect of entering — the prizes are amazing and as any good photographer will tell you, it's all a good learning curve. Click through our gallery for a taste of what some of the other contenders are submitting. Even if you aren't a photographer, they make for compelling viewing.
Another perspective of the day

Photographer: Dody Kusuma
Where: Makasar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

'The fisherman at Bira Beach.' Cusco sunset

Photographer: Blake Burton
Where: Cusco, Peru

'The view from our hotel room in the San Blas district of Cusco. This area of town overlooked the rest of the city and gave us a breathtaking view as the sun and rain mixed one evening.' Goðafoss

Photographer: Joshua Holko
Where: Goðafoss, Iceland

'Goðafoss is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. Located in the central north of the island, translucent aqua water cascades over the horseshoe shaped falls and races down the canyon. Icicles cling to its rock ledges and fresh snow lies across the landscape under soft diffuse light of the type that only Iceland can deliver.' Hagia Sophia Museum

Photographer: Melih Sular
Where: Istanbul, Turkey

'Hagia Sophia is the one of the most visited museums and most prominent monuments in the world in terms of art and the history of architecture. It has also been called the eighth wonder of the world by East Roman Philon as far back as the sixth century.

'It was used as a church for 916 years but, following the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. Afterwards, it was used as a mosque for 482 years. Under the order of Ataturk and the decision of the Council of Ministers, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935.'  Midnight tree

Photographer: Max Seigal
Where: Patagonia

'I hiked several hours through the night in Patagonia to find a tree I had seen a few days earlier and photograph it with the night sky.' Cormorant fisherman

Photographer: Andrey Pavlov
Where: Xingping, Guangxi province, China

'Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method in China. Fishermen control the birds by tying a snare near the bird's throat in order to prevent the birds from swallowing larger fish. This technique is practiced in the early morning before sunrise or in the hours before dusk, when fishermen attract the fish with lantern light.

'Unfortunately, cormorant fishing is long past its glory days and nowadays only a few fishermen from fishing villages along Li River still practice it.' Barranco camp at night

Photographer: Trevor Booth
Where: Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

'Barranco camp was our third [campsite] on our seven-day hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It was taken after dinner while the group was getting ready to get a good night's rest before tackling infamous Barranco Wall in the morning.' Outburst

Photographer: Fauzan Maududdin
Location: Tanah Datar, west of Sumatra, Indonesia

'This image was taken at Pacu Jawi Festival. A traditional bull race that [is] usually held after harvesting period by Minangkabau people especially villagers at Tanah Datar, West of Sumatra. Best cows and jockeys are judged by the way they run the track fast and straight.

'Every race [is] always attended by hundreds of people around the region, along with a farmers' fair that is held there. This event only exists in Tanah Datar, Minangkabau Region, west of Sumatra.' King of the penguins

Photographer: Nancy Dowling
Where: Antarctica

'Taken at Booth Island in Antarctica.' Spotters paradise

Photographer: Bernie Verhoeven
Where: Princess Juliana International Airport in St Martin

'Where big jets skim the beach, enthralling the spectators ...' Kazakh eagle hunters

Photographer: Tariq Sawyer
Where: Altai Mountains, Mongolia

'Eagle hunting is a Kazakh tradition that dates back 2,000 years. Around 350 Kazakh eagle hunters are keeping the tradition alive in the Altai Mountains, Mongolia.' Mount Erebus Ice Cave

Photographer: Alasdair Turner
Location:Ross Island, Antarctica

'A scientist climbs out of an ice cave formed by volcanic vents near the summit of Mt Erebus, Antarctica.' Door to Hell

Photographer: Priscilla Locke
Where: Darvaza, Turkmenistan

'Standing at the edge of the Darvaza crater in Turkmenistan. Known as the Door to Hell, this flaming crater has been burning for decades, fueled by the rich natural gas reserves found below the surface.'