Fever Tree Leopard. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "Encountering a leopard is a rare and breathtaking moment. This majestic feline was photographed at Lake Nakuru, Kenya, deep within a fever tree forest. It was initially perched on a branch but then strolled elegantly along its massive bough—a true bucket-list experience for the photographer." #

Zaandam House. Shortlist, Architecture. "In the early 2000s, the Dutch architect Sjoerd Soeters was brought in to create an urban development plan for the town of Zaandam, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Among his plans was the facade of this hotel, which is composed of stacked houses reminiscent of traditional ‘Zaanse Huisjes.’" #

Centre of the Cosmos. Winner, Architecture. "This super-wide aerial view of Times Square in New York City has a resolution of 400 million pixels and a viewing angle equivalent to a 5mm focal length on a full-frame camera." #

Gibbon. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "With an absorbed gaze, this gibbon sits in quiet contemplation. Its focused expression reveals the depth of its intelligence and the sense of curiosity that defines this fascinating primate." #

Eternal Light, Timeless Rock. Shortlist, Travel. "The soft rays of the sun envelop Elephant Rock, a majestic rock formation in Saudi Arabia, during a breathtaking sunset. The scene is enriched by the presence of a child running toward the light, adding a sense of wonder and the spirit of exploration." #

Blackbird. Shortlist, Portraiture. "A young man practices acrobatics on a bar in a park in the early morning. The photographer slid under him to capture this portrait from ground level." #

Kea. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "The only alpine parrot in the world is the kea, which lives in New Zealand. This cheeky individual is posing in front of Mount Cook, the tallest peak in New Zealand." #

Curved Stream. Winner, Landscape. "During a solo hike in Wenhai, China, the photographer came across a serene, narrow stream meandering through dark grasslands, flowing toward a vast, still lake in the distance. The image was edited with muted tones and high contrast to evoke the look of a pencil sketch, capturing the solitude and tranquillity of the journey." #

Cameron Crowd. Shortlist, Motion. "The ‘Cameron Crazies’—the student section of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team—attempt to distract an opposition player during an inbound pass." #

Colourful Doors. Shortlist, Architecture. "The vibrant energy of an interior facade where geometry and vibrant colors mingle. Bathed in light, the doors create an orderly mosaic, while metallic lines and reflections add a touch of modernity to this minimalist celebration of urban architecture." #

Bat Dips in Water. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "This image of an Indian flying fox dipping into water was taken during the summer, when the temperature was above 45 degrees Celsius." #

Washington DC. Shortlist, Street Photography. "Taken at the Running of the Chihuahuas event at The Wharf in Washington, D.C., U.S.A. These guys reminded the photographer of the comedy duo Abbott and Costello." #

Ground Vein. Shortlist, Landscape. "Hanksville, located in southern Utah, has many unique and fascinating geological features, such as its sandstone and boulders. The photographer had visited the geological structure of Factory Butte several times, but wanted to capture its beauty from a higher altitude. This image was captured using a drone, with the warm low light emphasizing the texture." #

The Whale Raft. Winner, Natural World & Wildlife. "The misfortune of some brings happiness to others, and for these polar bears, the death of a whale in east Greenland heralded a royal feast. Attracted by the smell, more than 60 bears were recorded in the area. However, their behavior was almost benevolent, possibly due to the abundance of food." #

Snail Enjoying Sporulation. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "A snail enjoys the spores released by a bracket mushroom during the rainy season. The photographer preplanned this image, waiting for the exact moment when all the elements came together." #

Kids Wall Ride. Shortlist, Motion. "A boy is followed closely by his sister as they ride their mountain bikes through a tunnel. He rode up the wall and jumped off right in front of the camera." #

Winner of the Crab Derby. Shortlist, Lifestyle. "On the last weekend of August, there is a crab derby in the small seaside vacation town of Birch Bay, U.S.A. People travel from all around to be judged on how many crabs they can catch and how big they are. This was the champion on this particular day." #

Shortlist, Motion. "The Abu Al-Fasad bird is known for its elegance and graceful movements. This small bird holds a special place in the Egyptian environment, symbolizing vibrant nature and beauty. Photographed at Dahab Island, Giza, this image reveals the intricate details of the bird in flight against a natural backdrop. The photographer waited for four hours in the direct sun to capture this moment." #

Splish Splash. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "Great blue herons like to fish at the base of a small spillway where larger fish gather in the churning water. Although the photographer has captured images of herons catching fish here on many occasions, in this instance the early morning sun was at just the right angle to light up the splashing water, which gave the scene a different look." #

The Bull and the Man. Shortlist, Motion. "Tultepec, Mexico, is the capital of pyrotechnics. Here, one of the ‘Tultepequenses’ ('fire warriors') pushes a bull effigy while explosions and rockets burn everything in its path. The annual burning of bull effigies serves as an offering to the Mesoamerican god of fire, Huehueteotl, and the patron saint of pyrotechnics, San Juan de Dios." #

The Weight of Survival. Shortlist, Natural World & Wildlife. "This lion was struggling to drag a half-eaten buffalo carcass to a nearby bush in Maasai Mara, Kenya. The carcass was far too heavy, forcing the lion to take frequent breaks to rest. This moment highlights the immense effort and determination of the predator." #