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Photographers

A stellar snowflake photomicrographed by Wilson Bentley, circa 1890

These 15 Stunning Microscopic Snowflake Images Helped Change the Way We See the World

Farmer Wilson Bentley was the first to photograph the tiny snow crystals individually, and his collection reveals that each has its own pattern

Reykjavik Domestic Airport is located just a mile from the city center, so when planes fly in and out, passengers get a close view of buildings below. 

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

Take Flight With These 20 Awe-Inspiring Aviation Images

See airplanes of all sizes, shapes and colors from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Bao Li (pictured on January 4, 2025) and Qing Bao, who are both 4 years old, are still considered teenagers in panda years.

Pandamonium

See 14 of the National Zoo’s Most Adorable Giant Panda Photos From 2025

These snapshots of Bao Li and Qing Bao capture the pair’s cutest moments, from playing in the snow to celebrating their 4th birthdays

A horse at the Minnesota State Fair receives attention and affection from visitors.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

These 20 Majestic Photos Show Just Why Humans Adore Horses

To commemorate the National Day of the Horse, see herds of equine images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

This photo by Julius Shulman became a symbol of Los Angeles.

This Historic Mid-Century Modern Home Overlooking Los Angeles Is on the Market for the Very First Time

Buck and Carlotta Stahl built their home in the Hollywood Hills in 1960. Soon after the structure’s completion, it was captured in an era-defining photograph

A lone boat sails along the salt marsh at sunset. South Carolina has around 500,000 acres of salt marsh.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

From Historic Houses to Scenic Salt Marshes, These 15 Photographs Capture the Charm of Charleston, South Carolina

Enjoy this collection of images of the coastal city from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Peeps Marshmallow Chicks cooling on a conveyor belt before packaging at Just Born Quality Confections (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), 2023

See Amazing Images That Reveal the Strange, Otherworldly Beauty Hidden in American Factories

Photographer Christopher Payne provides a peek into the surreal aesthetics of industry in the United States

One of the finalists, titled "I Just Can't Wait to be King," captures lions appearing to sing.

See This Year’s Hilarious Finalists From the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, From Gossiping Leopards to Breakdancing Foxes

The 40 shortlisted photographs pair talented nature photography with humorous captures that often rely on clicking the shutter at just the right moment

First-place winner: rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) on a grain of rice

These Beautiful Microscope Photos Capture Tiny Pests, Spores, Sensory Neurons and Sunflower Hairs

Nikon has announced the winners of its 51st annual photomicrography competition

Camel racing is a popular past-time among people in areas of Inner Mongolia. This rider is dressed in traditional attire.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Remarkable Photographs of Camera-Ready Camels

Join these caravanners on a scenic journey across the desert from snapshots taken by entrants to the Smithsonian magazine photo contest

Projections of portraits and quotes grace the main concourse.

A Massive Art Installation by the ‘Humans of New York’ Creator Has Taken Over Grand Central Terminal

For two weeks, “Dear New York” will grace the train station’s walls, screens and ad space

The original dye transfer print for David Bowie's Aladdin Sane album cover, shot by Brian Duffy

The Iconic Cover of David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin Sane’ Could Become the Most Expensive Album Artwork Ever Sold

Shot by Brian Duffy in 1973, the famous lightning bolt print is estimated to break the record currently held by Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut album

Nestled in Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is a historic Buddhist temple with a rich history spanning around 1,250 years.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

These 15 Gorgeous Photographs Illustrate the Ancient Beauty of Japan

From tranquil temples to the bright lights of Tokyo, look at images that capture the “Land of the Rising Sun”

Stephen Shore's parents on a corner in Rhinebeck, New York

Before Stephen Shore Became Famous, He Was a 12-Year-Old Photographer Capturing Stunning Scenes of 1960s New York

In his latest book, titled “Early Work,” the renowned photographer revisits the bold black-and-white images he took between 1960 and 1965

A matador and bull stand center stage as attendees look on during the San Fermín festival in Pamplona.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Spectacular Photographs That Show Off Scenes From Spain

These images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest celebrate the Iberian nation

Adapted kitchen utensils on display at the V&A

From Fashion to Fidget Spinners, This London Exhibition Celebrates Disabled Design, Innovation and Joy

“Design and Disability” features 170 objects created by disabled artists, designers, photographers, inventors and more

A worker lowers a pump system into the water. The tube sucks in the berries and pulls them into a machine that separates the fruit from water, stems and debris. 

These Photos of Harvesting Cranberries Transform the Annual Ritual Into a Shimmering Spectacle

In eastern Massachusetts, flooded wetlands cover the landscape as farmers collect the crop that features on Thanksgiving tables nationwide

Water surrounds homes in New Orleans, Louisiana, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina

Twenty Years After Hurricane Katrina, Many of Us Are Still Missing All That We Lost—and Grappling With One of the Country’s Worst Disasters

In Louisiana, heat and hurricanes can feel like a generational curse. After two decades, an editor who grew up in the state remembers and reflects on Katrina

Da Shuhua is a 500-year-old tradition that involves throwing molten iron (heated to more than 2,900 degrees) against a frozen wall to create a spectacle similar to fireworks.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

These 15 Remarkable Photographs of China Will Transport You Halfway Across the World

It’s as beautiful as it is historical. See the old, new and much of what’s in between in China

Colorful umbrellas protect beachgoers from the glaring sun on a day when most seemingly opted to stay somewhere cooler.

Get a Dose of Sun, Sand and Sea With These 20 Scenes From the Beach

These highlights from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest are sure to remind you of everything you love about the shore

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