2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year tells a humpback’s tale

IT’s only young. But, already, this young humpback whale calf bears the scars of a harsh world. It’s the image that won the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year.

Grand prize winner: 'Mermaid'. Picture: Reiko Takahashi /2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year

THE moment was magical. A Humpback whale mother and her calf idled around photographer Reiko Takahashi off the Japanese island of Kumejima. Then something appeared from below.

Titled “Mermaid”, the picture of the calf’s scratched and scarred tail was won the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest. Takahashi took the $A13,500 prize out of a pool of more than 13,000 entries.

2018 National Geographic Travel Photograph of the Year contest winner - 'Mermaid'. Picture: Reiko Takahashi

The passionate photographer quit her office job to follow her dreams. Now she’s usually found in the water, looking for the perfect shot.

She found it.

“Most of the time, the calf stayed close to her mom,” Takahashi says. “At one point, the calf began jumping and tapping its tail on the water near us — it was very friendly and curious.

“Finally, the mother, who was watching nearby, came to pick up the calf and swim away. I fell in love completely with the calf and it’s very energetic, large, and beautiful tail.

“It was a special scene for me, to be able to take a photo of the calf, completely relaxed in gentle waters. I really cannot believe it.”

First place winner, People - 'Tea culture'. Picture: Alessandra Meniconzi

The National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest celebrates stunning pictures taken by all levels of photographers — be they professional or amateur — around the world.

It accepts entries under the categories of Nature, People and Cities.

Hiro Kurashina of Japan took top honours in the Cities category for his photo titled Another Rainy Day in Nagasaki, Kyushu, while Tea Culture by Alessandra Meniconzi of Switzerland won the People category.

First place winner in the Cities category - 'Another rainy day in Nagasaki, Japan' Picture: Hiro Kurashina

All the winning and honourable mention photographs can be viewed here.

This year’s competition was judged by Whitney Johnson, vice president of visual experiences at National Geographic, as well as two National Geographic contributing photographers — ocean and adventure photographer Andy Mann and polar photographer Camille Seaman.

'Mars', These natural sand towers, capped with large stones, are known as the Earth Pyramids of Platten. Picture: Marco Grassi

“I was amazed at the quality of images and the sensibility towards subject in all three categories for this competition,” Seaman says. “Looking at hundreds of images choosing the winners was a daunting task. The images that stood out did so based not solely on their technical execution but also a sensitivity for a feeling of the moment and originality.”

'Formation': When we arrived at the Río Grande de Tarcoles in Costa Rica, I saw a fantastic formation of the sharp-mouthed crocodiles. I couldn't help myself, and I started my drone and began to photograph them from the air. Picture: Niklas Weber