25 Best Photos From The 2013 Smithsonian Magazine Contest

Posted by , Updated on December 1, 2023

Every year thousands of photographers submit their best work to the Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.  The pictures all fall under one of the following categories: the natural world, travel, people, Americana, or altered images. Both the editors and the readers then select who they think is the winner of each category. The photos you are about to see are all finalists in this year’s competition and certainly worthy of that honor. These are the 25 best photos from the 2013 Smithsonian Magazine Contest.
25

Monks Releasing Lanterns During Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Monks Releasing Lanterns During Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, Thailand
24

A Visit to Bagan, Myanmar

A Visit to Bagan, Myanmar
23

An Onlooker Witnesses the Annular Solar Eclipse as the Sun Sets on May 20, 2012

An Onlooker Witnesses the Annular Solar Eclipse as the Sun Sets on May 20, 2012
22

Musicians Arriving at the Bullring

Musicians Arriving at the Bullring
21

Guardians of the Forest

Guardians of the Forest
20

The Last Pollen Spore Preparing to Leave a Ladybug Trying to Hold On, Because It Didn’t Want to Be Alone

The Last Pollen Spore Preparing to Leave a Ladybug Trying to Hold On, Because It Didn't Want to Be Alone
19

Mummy, I Am Down Here, and Hungry!

Mummy, I Am Down Here, and Hungry!
18

Ants Holding Seeds

Ants Holding Seeds
17

Rice Terraces Close to Harvest Season

Rice Terraces Close to Harvest Season
16

Alternating Rice Plots in the Bacson Valley

Alternating Rice Plots in the Bacson Valley
15

A Man-Made Ice Geyser

A Man-Made Ice Geyser
14

River Ferry Operating in the Early Morning in Xiao Donjiang, China

River Ferry Operating in the Early Morning in Xiao Donjiang, China
13

People Harvesting Salt at Sunset

People Harvesting Salt at Sunset
12

The Milky Way Galaxy Exploding from Mount Rainier

The Milky Way Galaxy Exploding from Mount Rainier
11

Lone Acacia, Sossusvlei Sand Dunes

Lone Acacia, Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
10

A Lone Hiker Viewed the Path Before Him as the Milky Way Rose in the Night Sky

A Lone Hiker Viewed the Path Before Him as the Milky Way Rose in the Night Sky
9

Apple Guy on Location in the Desert

Apple Guy on Location in the Desert
8

Christine, 20-years-old, with Her First Child a Few Months Old

Christine, 20-years-old, with Her First Child a Few Months Old
7

Grandpa’s Helper

Grandpa’s Helper
6

A Whimsical House Set in the Burning Clouds of a Fiery Sunset

A Whimsical House Set in the Burning Clouds of a Fiery Sunset
5

Twisted

Twisted
4

Blues in the Streets of Chicago

Blues in the Streets of Chicago
3

Annual Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City, Montana

Annual Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City, Montana
2

Grey Smoke Hair

Grey Smoke Hair
1

Breeding Penguins

Breeding Penguins