Press release from National Geographic Communications.

Calling all photographers:

National Geographic Logo - International Photography Contest 2009

Enter the 2009 National Geographic International Photography Contest. There are three categories — people, places and nature — and you can enter a total of six photographs. Images can be black and white or color, digital or shot with conventional film, but they must be submitted digitally to http://www.ngphotocontest.com. The contest ends Oct. 31. The entry fee is $12 per photo for entries received on or before Oct. 15, and $22 per photo for entries received between Oct. 16 and Oct. 31, and winners will be announced in early December. Three international grand-prize winners will win a trip to National Geographic’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., a new camera kit, and have their image printed in National Geographic magazine. Below are some submissions from South African and abroad. Enter your photos at ngm.com, or view some winners from the past.

Attention all travelers and aspiring photographers — National Geographic wants your photographs. Readers of National Geographic around the world are invited to take part in the 2009 National Geographic International Photography Contest. Readers of the English-language edition in eight countries, as well as readers of 20 of the magazine’s international local-language editions, are eligible to participate. The international grand-prize winners will receive a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., a digital camera kit, and their winning entries will be published in all participating editions of National Geographic magazine. But act soon — the submission deadline is Oct 31, 2009. Full details can be found at http://www.ngphotocontest.com

"Vultures" by Mitchell Krog - South African entry into the National Geographic Photo Contest 2009

"Woman" by Paul Freinkel - South African Entry into the National Geographic Photo Contest 2009

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge, the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 370 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

"Couple" by Gemma Collier - International Entry into the National Geographic International Photo Contest 2009