Gorgeous National Geographic Photos Bring The World Into Focus

Aspiring and professional photographers have captured incredible scenes from around the globe for National Geographic's 2014 photo contest.

The competition is accepting entries until Oct. 31 in three categories: people, places and nature. The Grand Prize Winner receives $10,000 and will participate in National Geographic's annual Photography Seminar at the magazine's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

If you ever doubted the power of a photograph to bring the world into focus, look no further than the faces and landscapes captured in the entries below.

Woman Of Chukotka

"Reindeer herder standing in front of winter yurt in traditional clothing made of reindeer skin in Chukotka, Russia." Location: Chukotka, Russia.

Photo and caption by Sasha Leahovcenco/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

After The Burn

"The morning after the burn of the main central sculpture (the man) at Burning Man. Inside the base there was a small meteor fragment. Whoever found it could keep it." Location: Near Gerlach, Nevada, USA.

Photo and caption by Umar Brewer/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

Observer

"Hamer tribe shepherds observing the area in Omo Valley." Location: Ethiopia.

Photo and caption by Goran Jovic/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

Winters Picture Book

"Before dawn of 25 degrees below zero, time zone surrounding dyed blue. Landscape, such as the picture book had spread. In addition, in a snowy field, in just a short while ago, the rabbit seems to have walked." Location: Biei Hokkaido, Japan.

Photo and caption by Mitsuhiko Kamada/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

Suburbia

"Local kids getting treats from an ice cream truck that hails from the time we were that little, a generation ago." Location: Downey, California.

Photo and caption by Brian Callaway/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

A Canoe Ride On Lake Louise

"This disorienting photo was taken from a cliff overlooking Lake Louise in Banff national park. The two people are enjoying a canoe ride on Lake Louise's turquoise waters. Even boulders the size of large cars seem like pebbles from a high vantage point." Location: Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Photo and caption by Ben Leshchinsky/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

Chinatown NYC - Lunar New Year Parade

"In New York City's Chinatown, the annual Lunar New Year Parade -- with its pretty girls, colorful costumes, confetti, and casings from spent firecrackers visible on the streets -- brings the first hopeful signs of spring." Location: Mott Street, Chinatown, New York City.

Photo and caption by Staton Rabin/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

Misty Morning At Mount Bromo

"Misty morning at Mount Bromo, Mount Batok and Semeru when I take this picture. I had waited 3 hours to get this moment." Location: East Java.

Photo and caption by Achmad Sumawijaya/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

Playing With Grand Daughter

"My mother playing with her grand daughter." Location: Dar es Salam, Tanzania.

Photo and caption by Sahasrangshu Choudhury/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.

The Really Scary Festival

"It is the traditional fireworks of Japan. The event will be the ritual worshiping God: Gion Matsuri Festival of Yoshida-jinja Shrine." Location: Toyohashi, Japan

Photo and caption by Hidenobu Suzuki/ National Geographic 2014 Photo Contest.