Our Ever Changing World (Remarkable Photos)

(N.Morgan) These photos are from National Geographic’s readers submissions. How do you see our changing world? Here’s some absolutely astounding photo views from NG readers. I think the first picture most represents the ever changing world we live in. There were several photos that we initially selected but that we ultimately couldn’t use because they were not shot in 2013. But there was one in particular, taken by Munir Virani, that really illustrated our theme. Which is why we felt it was important to show as an example, even though we can’t include it in the final story. 

Keep having fun and turn up the heat another notch to help us really hit it out of the park with this assignment! —Sadie & Cory

Photograph by Munir Virani

This image is arresting because it is so unexpected. The juxtaposition of an urban environment behind a lion, looking at peace in his natural environment, raises so many questions relating to land usage, development, protected habitats, and the interplay between man and nature. And the placement of the lion far right and low in the frame, instead of dead center, helps make this image more powerful and allows your eye to move to the background to take in this scene. It’s almost like he’s making a statement.

Photograph by Joy Acharyya

This image immediately caught our eye. We like how the huge flag fills the frame, gracefully moving from top left to bottom right, almost in concert with the water currents.  Shooting this scene from above gives us a nice perspective, allowing the photographer to compose all of the elements perfectly and emphasizing the size of the Ganges River. The little girl stands almost triumphantly, with ownership, on her island of wood. The small detail of the boat in background helps balance the image, adding an element to an area that would have otherwise been a bit empty.

Photograph by Khant Zaw

There’s a nice mood created by dust and light in this image. The choice to make this a black-and-white image helps bring out a wide tonal range, emphasizing the ribs of the cattle. The image raises questions about famine and droughts.

Photograph by Graham McGeorge

We were mesmerized by this camouflaged screech owl, masterfully disguised perched inside a woodpecker’s nest. The monochromatic palette is this image’s strength. Part of a changing world is that which remains the same … or the adaptations that occur to fit it. Adaptation is a beautiful illustration of how living things learn from and grow with the world around them.

Photograph by Dennis Walton

Nice light, layers, and texture are three elements of great photography. Volcanic activity in this image not only helps this picture come to life but also speaks to the concept of change.

Photograph by Jay Caboz

Given the sensitive nature of photographing poaching and the law enforcers, we understand why the photographer chose to keep this sergeant as a silhouette.  Part of the power of this image is what we don’t see. It raises compelling questions.  Is he about to apprehend a poacher? What does he look like? The time of day adds to the drama of the image. Shooting from below, through the grass, gives us a sense of secrecy, tension, and investigation, and aesthetically, it adds a nice texture to the foreground of the image. Imagine what a different image this would have been shot in broad daylight, straight on. It’s quite likely it would have been a lot less interesting to look at. And of course the picture speaks well to our theme; elephant tusk and rhino horn poaching is unfortunately on the rise.

Photograph by Lauren Pretorius

This “drowning” house illustrates the assignment theme very well. When the earth reclaims property it’s a dramatic interplay between humans and nature. This is a beautiful concept that could be taken even further in terms of light (shot maybe at dusk or with a more dramatic sky). We like what you found and captured, now just go one step beyond to really make it sing.

Photograph by Somnath Chakraborty

There is a lot here with so little. The light and smoke illuminates a few key elements but leaves larger darker spaces prompting intrigue and mystery. It also incorporates our means of travel and commuting into telling the larger story of change.

Photograph by Diako Mardanbegi

This is an instance where breaking some of the “rules”—she’s looking at the photographer and is dead center in the frame—works in favor of the image.  We find this little shepherd girl captivating. She has a commanding presence, an unflinching look, and appears older than her years—like she owns this land. Placing her in the middle only emphasizes these points. We both commented on the color work (post processing) that has been done, and while it allows the pink sweater to really pop off of the background, we would have been interested in seeing a version of this picture that more closely resembles how the landscape looks to the naked eye.

Photograph by Klaus Priebe

We love the way this photographer captured the split second of a lightning strike and the surrounding microstorm. The vantage point allows us to see this vast open landscape from above so we can follow the curves of the wind and water–carved land formations with our eye. The choice of black and white emphasizes the dramatic sky and storm clouds as well as the shadow and highlight details in the land.  Weather patterns are a major topic in our global news. While this is just a small thunderstorm, the drama of the image speaks to a larger concept.