Indochinese tiger by Ashley Vincent, overall winner of National Geographic's 2012 photography competition

National Geographic photo winners

A Thai tiger, a Swiss mountain and a Kenyan dump top the US magazine's prestigious photographic contest

With a cash prize of $10,000, and a trip to the headquarters of beautiful reportage photography, National Geographic's annual photo contest attracts hopeful amateurs and long-serving professionals alike.

Earlier this week the American magazine announced its winners, picking a selection that remains true to the title's original purpose while reflecting a changing landscape.

The British-born, Thai-based photographer Ashley Vincent won the overall prize and first place in the wildlife category, with his image of an Indochinese Tigress at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, taken on a Canon EOS 7D.

 

 Micah Albert's winning shot of dump scavengers in Kenya
Micah Albert's winning shot of dump scavengers in Kenya

Meanwhile, Californian photojournalist, Micah Albert, picked up first prize in the people category for his shots taken of the scavengers on Dandora Municipal Dump Site in Nairobi, Kenya; while the award-winning Croatian Nenad Saljic's image of the Swiss mountain the Matterhorn on a moonlit night took first prize in the places category.

We congratulate all winners; they're excellent images, and well-chosen, too. Though the magazine is 124 years old,  it still manages to both celebrate natural wonder and reflect our changing globe.

 

Nenad Saljic's photograph of The Matterhorn beat all other entries in the places category
Nenad Saljic's photograph of The Matterhorn beat all other entries in the places category

To view all the images, including a sizeable shortlist, head to the competition's site. To view works by one of National Geographic's most celebrated photographers, take a look at our Steve McCurry books.