Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Photos of Striking Landscapes and Lively Scenes Deep in the Heart of Texas

These images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest remind us what makes the Lone Star State so special

Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

After the rain, storm clouds continue to hover above a windmill as a rainbow signals the return of the sun.
After the rain, storm clouds continue to hover above a windmill as a rainbow signals the return of the sun. Randall Lantz, 2009

It’s been said that everything is bigger in Texas, the nation’s second-largest state. It’s known for its distinctly American cowboy culture, and there are few other places like it.

Whether you want to stargaze under its open skies, recreate at a lake, take in a rodeo or chase a few storms across the vast plains, Texas has you covered. It’s no wonder many Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest entrants have turned their lenses toward the Lone Star State for stunning images. Take a look.

Storm clouds near Andrews dump wide columns of precipitation on the plain.
Storm clouds near Andrews dump wide columns of precipitation on the plain. Mike Olbinski, 2021
Texas’ geography makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, tornadoes and other intense storms.
Texas’ geography makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, tornadoes and other intense storms. Cristen Andrews, 2007
The aptly named Texas Theater in San Angelo is blazoned with the state’s iconic shape.
The aptly named Texas Theater in San Angelo is blazoned with the state’s iconic shape.
  John Ross, 2008
A great egret stretches its neck and displays its breeding plumage while standing on top of a tree thick with green leaves in the afternoon sun at Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island.
A great egret stretches its neck and displays its breeding plumage while standing on top of a tree thick with green leaves in the afternoon sun at Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island. Dawn Wilson, 2016
Longhorns, the official large mammal of Texas, have long been part of the state’s history and are an enduring symbol of the cowboy way.
Longhorns, the official large mammal of Texas, have long been part of the state’s history and are an enduring symbol of the cowboy way. Brittany Becknel, 2023
A large group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators peacefully marches down Congress Avenue toward the Texas Capitol building.
A large group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators peacefully marches down Congress Avenue toward the Texas Capitol building. Eric Skadson, 2020
A drone captures an image of a large oil refinery in Houston.
A drone captures an image of a large oil refinery in Houston. Jassen Todorov, 2015
Elroy and Sophia Williams stand inside the Hopewell School, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. Once freed from slavery, Sophia’s grandparents, depicted in the artwork she holds, acquired and then donated land for the school, one of nearly
Elroy and Sophia Williams stand inside the Hopewell School, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. Once freed from slavery, Sophia’s grandparents, depicted in the artwork she holds, acquired and then donated land for the school, one of nearly 5,000 Rosenwald schools built for African American children from 1912 to 1937. Andrew Feiler, 2019
A giant bull stands outside the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a steakhouse restaurant in Amarillo that is known for its 72-ounce steak challenge.
A giant bull stands outside the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a steakhouse restaurant in Amarillo that is known for its 72-ounce steak challenge. Les Bentley, 2024
A cowboy clad in red, white and blue shows off his lasso rope skills at the Stockyards rodeo.
A cowboy clad in red, white and blue shows off his lasso rope skills at the Stockyards rodeo. Shehan Fernando, 2019
The Galaxy Drive-In movie theater would once have been the place these rust-covered Ford cars, a 1957 Fairlane and a 1964 Galaxie, could be found on a Friday night.
The Galaxy Drive-In movie theater would once have been the place these rust-covered Ford cars, a 1957 Fairlane and a 1964 Galaxie, could be found on a Friday night. James Nelms, 2020
Birds enjoy a drink at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for wildlife in northern Grayson County.
Birds enjoy a drink at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for wildlife in northern Grayson County. Eduardo Arteaga, 2022
Large tree trunks emerge from the peaceful waters of Caddo Lake in Karnack.
Large tree trunks emerge from the peaceful waters of Caddo Lake in Karnack. Peggy Wolffrum, 2024
The sunset’s red afterglow silhouettes a landscape of oil and wind infrastructure outside Sweetwater.
The sunset’s red afterglow silhouettes a landscape of oil and wind infrastructure outside Sweetwater. Carlos Rio, 2021

Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian. You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr.

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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