Ella JeffriesStaff ContributorAfter sifting through thousands of submissions, 60 incredible photographs were selected as finalists for the 22nd annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest. The images span six categoriesPeople, Travel, Natural World, Drone/Aerial, American Experience and Artisticand offer a glimpse into the diverse stories, landscapes and moments that define our world.Now it's time for you to choose your favorite. Head over to the voting pageto cast your vote in the Readers' Choice competition. The winners from each category, as well as the Grand Prize and Readers' Choice winners, will be announced at the end of March.People Drifting along the waterways of Long Xuyen, Vietnam, I captured this womans quiet strength. Her gaze, framed by a non la hat, reflects the resilience and deep connection of life along the Mekong Deltas timeless flow. Erhan Coral "Young Captain" Mohammad Harouni is a young tour leader who lives in Kong in southern Iran and shows tourists the old boat-building workshop and other sights of the area. The building of boats known as lenj in the Kong area is 1,200 years old and was registered in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2011, but now, due to technological advances and heavy construction costs, this industry has declined and is being forgotten. Maho Christmas is full of color in Maramures, Romania. The entire community gathers at church happy to see and to be seen with traditional costumes. Young girls on the balcony listen to the prayer between beautifully painted saints. Marian Plaino Following a grueling and life-changing seven-year drought, nomadic tribes have turned static to access water. As the rains return, new generations conflict with older ones as they resist a return to the nomadic life. Tribe and village elders will frequently pressure younger people to adorn traditional attire and live based on their nomadic traditions, but with each day, the gap and tensions grow deeper. Marios Forsos A young voodoo adept prepares for the main ceremony. It takes a long time and an inordinate amount of dedication for someone to become an adept through a rather grueling process designed to open the person's third eye and allow them to communicate and receive the messages of the spirits. Contrary to common belief, most voodoo is benign in nature, and priests are both spiritual as well as practical guides. Marios Forsos This project tells the story of Black women maintaining composure and elegance through difficult times. It captures the idea of resilience and strength, even as the world around them changes dramatically and becomes dystopian. Inspired by the nostalgia of the 1990s, when human connection seemed simpler and easier, this narrative uses elements of '90s hairstyles and Jackie Kennedy-inspired fashion to highlight the tension between the past's simplicity and the complexities of the present. Michael Acheampong Through my camera lens, I capture the way women and girls from the Romanian village of Mila 23 harmoniously merge with their surroundings, whether dressed in their regular or traditional clothing. Their garments, often simple and practical for daily life, echo the colors and textures of the Danube Delta, from the soft hues of their skirts to the delicate embroidery of their traditional dresses. These women, grounded in tradition yet living in the present, blend effortlessly with the serene landscape of the delta, as if they are a natural part of its timeless rhythm. Mioara Chiparus This image is part of my series Sankofa, which explores diasporic identity: all of us being from different parts of the world and coming together to unite as one. Michael Acheampong Little girls are putting makeup on their faces prior to a folk performance. Somenath Mukhopadhyay This piece was tailor-made for my mom, who modeled for the first time. As the eldest son in a single-parent family, I've witnessed her resilience through many challenging times. To me, my mom embodies both the indomitable spirit and the elegance of a peony. In the summer of 2024, when my mom first wore her newly acquired peony-patterned qipao, the vibrant energy of the large blooming peony immediately captured my attention. The intricate, layered petals of the peony enchanted me and inspired the creation of this photographic artwork. Taolue YuVote for your favorite here!Travel A group of tourists eat at a restaurant in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Apolo Sales This was taken very early during the long Alaskan sunrise over the Inuit village of Mekoryuk, Alaska. The village is one of the last still thriving on Nunivak Island, about 30 miles off the west coast of Alaska. The photo depicts the morning sun striking a row of colorful houses very near the inlet leading to the Bering Sea. Brady Linkous Local houses in Hamnoy in Lofoten, Norway. This a very popular spot to take photos, yet it is equally as scenic still. The entire setting is just beautiful. Casper Sorensen During a serene morning in Vietnam, I captured these women harvesting vibrant water lilies. Their graceful movements and the floating blossoms created a mesmerizing blend of tradition and natural beauty. Erhan Coral This photograph was taken at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The lens captured the subtle vitality present within this tranquil environment, revealing a transition to a world without boundaries. This work employs a fresh perspective to explore the vastness of existence and the perpetual essence of life. Michelle Lau A foggy morning in downtown Dubai with the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, as the main subject. Greg Metro A horse and its carriage in the colorful town of Izamal in Yucatn, Mexico. Mikel Camara A Bhutanese woman dressed in traditional kira attire is carefully spreading spices under the sun against a backdrop of a traditional Bhutanese wall. The setting reflects the vibrant culture and resourcefulness of Bhutanese life. Bhutan, a picturesque kingdom perched atop the Himalayan hills, experiences harsh winters, compelling its people to dry and store vegetables and spices during the warmer months. This practice ensures sustenance during the extreme cold, when venturing outside becomes difficult. The scene captures a harmonious blend of tradition, resilience and natural beauty. Moumita Sarkar This photo captures a fisherman on Inle Lake in Myanmar. Inle is also a nature resource lake where many different species live. Fishermen living around Inle Lake are making a living by traditional fishing. This is their lifestyle. Inle Lake, which is booming in tourism, is also a place where you can fully enjoy the beauty and peaceful waters. Myo Minn Aung A group of workers unloads paddy straw from a truck in Kazipur Upazila, Sirajganj District, Bangladesh. Farmers use paddy straw as food and bedding for their livestock. Also, paddy straw is used for various other purposes including house canopies and a form of biofuel. Syed Mahabubul KaderVote for your favorite here!Drone/Aerial This photograph beautifully captures the traditional process of soy sauce production in Vietnam, showcasing the country's deep agricultural heritage. The overhead perspective highlights rows of clay jars, each containing fermented soybeans, a crucial step in the centuries-old craft of making soy sauce. The workers, dressed in vibrant attire and iconic conical hats, add life and movement to the scene, reflecting the human effort behind this staple ingredient. The image not only celebrates Vietnam's expertise in soy sauce manufacturing but also underscores the harmonious blend of tradition, labor and culture in agricultural practices. Betl Simsek The photo is an arial shot of a basketball court taken in a tropical environment where the court blends in nicely with the surrounding nature. Casper Srensen The Bentonite Hills in Utah are a surreal landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. These hills owe their vibrant, swirling colorsreds, purples, blues and graysto bentonite clay, formed from volcanic ash compressed and altered over time. Rich in iron oxides and other minerals, each layer tells a chapter of Earths history, while the soft, erodible clay constantly shifts, reshaping the terrain with every rainfall. This fragile, ever-changing land is a visual timeline of natures artistry. From above, as captured in this aerial image, the hills resemble a living painting. Their mesmerizing bands ripple outward, forming hypnotic patterns reminiscent of flowing watercolors. The perspective reveals their intricate textures and vibrant hues in stunning detail, giving the landscape an otherworldly aura. Theres an emotional resonance here, too. The undulating layers evoke the raw intensity of Joaquin Phoenixs "Joker," his face fractured with emotion, much as the hills layers are fractured by time. Both the land and the character seem to share a story of turmoil, beauty and transformation. In the Bentonite Hills, art and geology meet, creating a profound connection between nature, history and the human experience. Marek Bieglaski An aerial view of Nallihan Hill (Girl Hill) in Ankara Province, Turkey, on March 10, 2024. The hill draws visitors due to its proximity to the Bird Paradise wildlife sanctuary and its geological structure. Erin Ertrk As winter and spring drew to a close, the coastal ice floes were gradually fragmenting. The time had come for this family to embark on a great odyssey across the drifting ice floes, a world in perpetual change. In this unstable environment, every day is a new adventure, where instinct and adaptation become essential to their survival. Florian Ledoux As a tropical nation situated near the equator, Vietnam experiences snowfall so infrequently that it's almost mythical. Thus, capturing the fleeting beauty of snow on Fansipan's summit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that feels almost surreal. Le Viet Khanh Farmers in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, are harvesting paddy from paddy fields. The workers create a beautiful view from above as they cut the paddy and line it up for drying, which helps to dry the paddy quickly and evenly. A few farmers are harvesting paddy by hand using sickles in the traditional way of Bangladesh. Workers labor from early morning to late evening every day. It is very hard work. Md Bipul These natural reeds are a refuge for birds that migrate there in the winter, but the beautiful lagoon of Bandar Anzali has been set on fire by a group of profiteering and land-grabbing people. Mohammad Varaseth Workers process dried fish at Bangladesh's largest drying factory in Chittagong, preserving tradition with sun-dryinga centuries-old method. This profession sustains many fishing families, showcasing resilience and cultural heritage. Muhammad Amdad Hossain An aerial tapestry unfolds over the ground of the Ijtema religious gathering in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where hundreds of vibrant canopies drape the landscape, forming a breathtaking mosaic of colors from above. Each tent, a testament to the diverse tapestry of cultures and nationalities, converges under the open sky, reminiscent of a cultural kaleidoscope. Amid the sea of colors, unity resonates as Muslims from around the world gather for the sacred congregation, echoing the spirit of togetherness and devotion. Here, atop the canvas of unity, the second-largest Muslim gathering after hajj, souls converge, woven together by faith and fellowship, as the Ijtema emerges as a timeless symbol of communal harmony and spiritual renewal. Pinu RahmanVote for your favorite here!Natural World Thats a really, really, really big baby! Nothing but smiles after swimming with this extra-curious humpback calf in the crystal clear waters of French Polynesia. In the winter, the Polynesian islands are full of migrating whales, coming to breed and raise their babies. This young female definitely didnt know the meaning of personal space. She kept doing circles around me until mom decided it was time to go. Brittany Ilardi Here you can see the head of a bug calledHalyomorpha halys, known as the brown marmorated stink bug. In addition to compound eyes, they have simple eyes called ocelli that help the insects with orientation and with horizon detection during flight. Thorben Danke A cinnamon-bun-shaped updraft on a tornado-warned storm. Craig Boehm This fascinating bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa), if you look very carefully,is often inhabited by tiny creatures such as bubble coral shrimps or, as in this case,by a small ghost goby, about one centimeter long, sitting comfortably on one of its vesicles. Franco Tulli This was taken in Komodo National Park, using a wireless remote. We trekked up into the hills on Komodo Island until we spotted a big dragon moving around in the distance. Most of the dragons we saw were pretty inactive, so seeing one up and about was quite exciting. Once we got close enough, I used a modified pole with the camera attached, my ranger right by my side with his trusty stick. The dragon seemed curious, but not in an aggressive, frenzied way. He continued to go up to the camera, flicking his tongue to smell the lens. It was quite exciting! Leighton Lum Tsukiyotake is a poisonous mushroom that grows on dead broad-leaved trees such as beech trees. The large ones grow to about 12 inches. Every year, there are news reports of people eating them by mistake, thinking they are edible, and becoming poisoned. I like mushrooms that glow at night and fireflies, so in the fall I look for these tsukiyotake and take photos. Dead trees lose their leaves and can no longer produce nutrients. The little remaining nutrients are given to the tsukiyotake, which then glow at night. They glow especially brightly at night after rain, looking like a chandelier in the pitch black forest. On this day, I went to the mountains in the evening to look for mushrooms, and I found a tree with many tsukiyotake growing on it. I thought I would take a picture after the sun went down, but the moon was brightly illuminating the forest that day, so I waited until the moon went down late at night to take this photo. I fixed my camera on a tripod and took the photo with a four-minute exposure time. Mashiro Hiroike A tender moment between a mother polar bear and her 6-month-old cub, playfully embracing on the pack ice north of Svalbard, Norway. This image reflects the deep connection and bond shared between mother and cub, who remain inseparable for two to three years as she prepares him for a life of solitude. Michael Stravrakakis One mantis cannibalizes another on the street. Takuya Ishiguro Taking a photo of a caiman from above is not that easyyou need to be in the perfect place at the perfect time. And that happened! I was walking on a bridge close to a lake, and I saw this young caiman under the bridge and got this photo. Rafael Del Prete At Volunteer Point beach in the Falkland Islands, a group of king penguins steps ashore after a dangerous journey at sea. One penguin raises its head and trumpetsa triumphant call that echoes across the beach, marking their return. For me, this moment was more than a simple observation; it felt like a quiet celebration of lifes persistence and beauty, even in the face of immense challenges. Steffen FoersterVote for your favorite here!The American Experience Ship loading and unloading at Puerto Coln, Panama. Ports on either side of the Panama Canal are incredibly active due to their strategic location. This photo was taken from a small Cessna plane. Alex Visbal At the funeral for a widely celebrated reverend in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, an usher proudly escorts parishioners to their seats before the three-hour service begins. Ben Strang This image is showing the aftermath of two hurricanes that occurred within a month at the beach where I live. Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed our island of paradise, but we still keep the American spirit alive, especially in these trying times. I was on Anna Maria Island, Florida, with my wife during the two hurricanes. We could see how our neighbors were affected by the storms. We started to drive by these two houses when something caught my eye: the American flag and what it represents during the hurricane. It represents freedom. Many people were affected, but this wont destroy our pride. The American spirit is still alive, because we can rebuild and start anewleaving behind the old and starting with a new foundation. Chris Seman Kane McAllister, a saddle bronc rider from Ronan, Montana, looks upon the Wilsall Rodeo from his camper. David Clumpner Peter Gargagliano and Ben Stieler, members of the Bread & Puppet Theater, float in the Great Salt Lake on a day off from the national tour of their Apocalypse Defiance Circus. Garrett MacLean A biker jumps high on his dirt bike with dust flying all around him, in a scenic setting. I came across an event called "Dust to Dust," organized by a group of adventurers and creatives who gathered in Utah's rugged landscapes to adventure with their bikes. I love photographing action scenes and long wanted to photograph people with their bikes in action, so I jumped on this opportunity and traveled from San Francisco to Utah. Thanks to all of their hard work and adventurous spirits, I came back with some of my most memorable images. The sunset blazing through the red rocks and the golden light hitting the dust made this one of my favorites. Karthik Subramaniam I was traveling in Monument Valley and had gone into the visitor center to buy some souvenirs. While wandering through the handicrafts, I noticed how the three buttes seen through the clean and clear windows of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park visitor center felt like hanging pictures on the wall. Kaustav Sarkar I was part of a Joe McNally photo workshop that allowed us to photograph the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital. Known as the "Hard Hat Tour," it takes people to the areas most don't get to see when going to Ellis Island. We were very lucky that morning to get beautiful light coming into the rooms. To think of all the millions of immigrants being brought into that room, for them to see the Statue of Liberty outside this window must have made their trip to America worth all the hardships. Patrick Cashin A crowd watching the solar eclipse on the Mall in Washington, D.C., with the Capitol in the background. Prescott Moore Lassman The former home of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, who commanded U.S. and allied forces in the Pacific in World War II, is now haloed by a freeway onramp, an apt example of America's sometimes cavalier attitude toward its past. Nimitz House is located on Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay, near the city. Virginia HinesVote for your favorite here!Artistic This abstract artwork captures the tranquil essence of a sunset on the coast of Mauritius. The image is composed of elongated horizontal bands, blending vibrant orange and pink tones from the fading sun with the deep blue and green hues of the ocean. A thin, glowing line, created by the light of a distant boat, slices across the horizon, serving as a delicate focal point amid the dreamy composition. The horizontal stretching transforms the natural scene into a surreal and meditative interplay of color, light, and motion, evoking a sense of endless calm and infinite beauty. Alexandre Brisson This art portrait of a theater actor uses red to reflect a passionate nature. The doppelgngers symbolize the inner alter ego that exists within every person in this profession, showcasing their complexity. The final result is significantly different from the original and is a product of creative and technical manipulation. I wanted to reflect the duality of the hero's creative nature, so I added fragments of fabric and flowers, adjusted the exposure, and played with warm and cool tones. Anna Tut This image represents a documentation of horse lovers and their emotional bonds with the animals. The image was taken in Portugal of a girl and her beloved horse. It made me think of one of my favorite childhood movies, The Horse Whisperer, where there was a girl and her horse, and how they got through a traumatic event with patience, trust and healing. This can be reflected in many aspects of life and inspire others with such a bond. I think it's all something we can look up to. That's why I want to inspire others with my images, so they can identify and relate to the emotions there. Katarzyna Farkas Since the 1970s there has been a rapid and extreme increase in plastic production, with shocking results. Plastic is now everywhere, even at the bottom of the ocean. Although it's light, durable and strong, it doesn't decompose but rather breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics, that can kill wildlife, release toxins and enter the food chain. Lori Eanes A female cyclist rides in front of the iconic circular opening of the Marie-Elisabeth-Lders-Haus, an extension of the German Bundestag in Berlin. The extension building, a remarkable piece of modern architectural design, is a symbolic connection between the once separate parts of Berlin. Anna Wacker An old photo of the grave of a teenager who was martyred in the eight-year Iran-Iraq War. Everywhere in the world, people who sacrifice their lives to protect their homeland, regardless of their religion, are valuable to their people and will forever be remembered as unforgettable legends of the homeland. Maho This image captures a solitary explorer standing beneath the arc of the Milky Way, enclosed between the vast dunes of the Arabian Peninsula's Rub' al-Khali desert and the cosmic expanse above. I sought to juxtapose a human figure against these two timeless forms: windswept sands below, an eternal celestial vault above. Matteo Strassera This is a portrait of a woman composed from four faces. The sequence shows the time flow: past, present and future. We live in multidimensional time. Mihaela Rogova A face is glimpsed through streaked glass, decorated with flowers. Zamira Sozieva The Mandarin Oriental hotel in Shenzhen is an architectural marvel made of metal and glass. One morning, I captured it at the moment when the rising sun shone on it, making it resemble a golden triangle. Zhaohua ZhuVote for your favorite here!Get the latest Travel & Culture stories in your inbox.