The 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest has officially begun, and the magazine is looking for the most “awe-inspiring diversity of the world’s people, places and cultures.” NatGeo travel is looking for photographers that go above and beyond what we normally see in travel imagery, and this year’s contestants seem to be doing just that. The contest is open until 2016, and these are some of the early entries. Ultimately, the grand prize winner will receive the title of Travel Photographer of the year and a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari. Looking at the photos below, the competition is going to be pretty tight.
