National Geographic's Photo Contest (PHOTOS)

The National Geographic International Photography Contest 2009, taking place now, attracts thousands of imaginative and amazing photos from around the world. People can still submit up to six photos in three categories -- People, Places, and Nature -- until October 31.

Aside from submitting your own photos, get more engaged in the contest by voting for your favorites on National Geographic's site, downloading lovely wallpaper, and/or checking out past winners! This year's winners will receive a digital camera kit, get their photos published in the magazine, and gain direct entry into the Worldwide International Photography Contest.

We've featured a sampling of some of the submitted photographs that National Geographic is sharing with us exclusively -- from a frozen coyote to a natural gas crater in Turkmenistan: check them out and vote for which you think should be the winning shot!

Elephant

Nazroo, a Mahout (elephant driver), poses for a portrait while taking his elephant, Rajan, out for a swim in front of Radhanagar Beach in Havelock, Andaman Islands. Rajan is one of the few elephants in Havelock that can swim, so when he is not dragging timber in the forest he is used as a tourist attraction. The relationship between the Mahout and his elephant usually lasts for their entire lives creating an extremely strong tie between the animal and the human being. Photograph by and caption Cesare Naldi.

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