Your Shot: A sneak peek at National Geographic's contest submissions

National Geographic magazine turned 125 this month, with an anniversary issue devoted to the power of photography.

The magazine moves the birthday celebration off its pages with the October 1st public launch of a photo-sharing platform, Your Shot (NGYourShot.com), that allows photography fans to connect with photographers and editors around virtual assignments, get direct feedback on their work and participate in a unique photography-based community.

One of the magazine’s young star photographers, Cory Richards, will usher in the month as lead curator of the magazine’s first assignment on Your Shot.

Led by Richards and his magazine photo editor, Sadie Quarrier, the assignment invites photographers to share three images that convey how photography can help us explore our changing world. Throughout the assignment, Richards and Quarrier will provide photo tips and feedback on the images that are submitted along with direction on what they feel will best help tell the story.

Their favorite photograph will be selected to appear in a future issue of National Geographic magazine. Participants must join Your Shot, National Geographic’s free online photo community and storytelling platform, to submit photos to the assignment.

Here's a look at some of the offers for the first assignment, "Explore our Changing World" and links to the galleries of the photographers.

Smile From Mentawai Hunter -

Photograph and caption by Mohd Ismail, National Geographic Your Shot - Smile from Mentawai people

Bromo Tengger National Park -

Photograph and caption by Dennis Walton, National Geographic Your Shot - Nothing changes the landscape like a major volcano. I have visited Bromo Tengger National Park in Java, Indonesia many times. The usual drill is to climb to my favorite viewpoint in the early morning darkness and wait for sunrise. You never know what the new day will bring. This time it was an ash eruption of Mt Semeru highlighted by the warm colors of rising sun

Master of Disguise -

Photograph and caption by Graham McGeorge, National Geographic Your Shot - Eastern Screech Owls like to take over woodpecker nests that have been dug out over the years in pine trees, which are the main species of tree at this swamp. Fish and Wildlife also paint a white ring around the base of a tree that has active nests in order to avoid when conducting controlled burns. Screech owls can range in height anywhere from 8-10 inches, so you have to have a sharp eye to find these little birds of prey

Orange Liberty -

Photograph and caption by Joy Acharyy, National Geographic Your Shot - These kids were playing the ghats of Ganges in Varanasi, India. The moment this kid saw me with my camera, she posed with the huge flag in her hand and made my day

Alive -

Photograph and caption by Jonathan Tucker. National Geographic Your Shot - This is a self portrait I took of myself. This photo was taken under a glacier in Alaska. I hiked over two hours through swamps and up the side of a mountain to reach the Glacier itself. I spent around a hour walking on top of the glacier taking photos until I found this cave. The cave is formed from a waterfall from the mountain that meets the glacier. When I first walked in the cave it took my breath away it was so amazing and scary at the same time - especially when you hear the ice crack

Castelluccio di Norcia -

Photograph and caption by Mauro Maione, National Geographic Your Shot - The Plains of Castelluccio are a karst plateau of the central-alluvial (Umbria-Marche Apennines), located in the Umbrian side of the Sibillini Mountains at the foot of Mount Carrier, within the territory of the town of Norcia, near the village of Castelluccio, and the National Park of Monti Sibillini, and that is the bottom of an ancient Apennine lake, now dried up, and known for its karst features.8BIM

The Last Light -

Photograph and caption by Somnath Chakraborty, National Geographic Your Shot - On a lazy evening I took this frame in unknown lane at Varanasi. A surreal light effect i got when I was walking through this lane. perhaps he was returning from his job and allowed me to take this frame on request. I took at least five frames out of which this one is cleared most.

White Rim Storm -

Photograph and caption by Klaus Priebe, National Geographic Your Shot - During a visit to the Canyon lands during the monsoon season of 2013 I chased storms during the week and had this little micro thunderstorm head right at me. It was a magical moment with the sun peaking through the clouds to the west and the storm producing rain and a few lightning bolts as it passed by me. 8BIM

What a sheep! -

Photograph and caption by Andres Beregovich, National Geographic Your Shot - wandering through Isla Riesco, I bumped into this almost forgotten ranch. Talking to the locals was fun. Then I asked whether I could photograph some of the processes. I couldn't believe the size of this sheep when I first saw it. I almost couldn't take the picture cause I was so impressed. 140kg sheep (about 300 lbs) I've only seen this here.8BIM

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