Alan Taylor

Some of the early picks from this year’s competition, featuring close-up, macro, and micro photography

Recent images of the record-setting smog blanketing the area

Speed climbing in Saudi Arabia, wildfires in California and New Jersey, a blanket of smog in New Delhi, a celebration of rural life in Turkey, Veterans Day in Seattle, and much more

Images of some of the creative and inexpensive windmills built by the farmers of Nebraska at the end of the 19th century

Some of the winning and honored photographs from this year’s competition

Election Day in the United States of America, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia, a penny-farthing race in Prague, autumn colors in China, and much more

Autumn colors across Europe, Day of the Dead displays in Mexico, Diwali lights in India, deadly flooding in Spain, World Series celebrations in Los Angeles, and much more

Recent images that show some scary (and fun) pre-Halloween festivities around the world

Images of several remarkable huge puppets performing in the streets of Toulouse

Flooding in the Moroccan desert, a volcanic eruption in Mexico, an illuminated abbey in England, a space-shuttle mock-up in California, a giant pigeon in New York City, and much more