National Geographic Traveller’s Photography Competition 2017: Finalists

The town of Oia in Santorini clings to the hillside under an inky blue sky. (Matt Parry)

(Yahoo! News) – National Geographic Traveller Magazine has revealed the amazing finalists for its 2017 photography competition.

The pictures were submitted in six categories: action, urban, people, video, portfolio and nature, and depict scenes of exceptional beauty from all corners of the world.

From glorious Irish sunsets to packed Indian trains, here are the jaw-dropping images.

Thick purple clouds hang over the sea in County Antrim. (Rashid Khaidanov)

The judges picked this striking image of a fire-breather as a finalist in the action category. (David Candlish)

Atmospheric black and white images of a pride of lions earned Miguel de Freitas a finalist gong in the portfolio category. (Miguel de Freitas)

A lizard launches itself away from the jaws of a hungry snake. (Sajith Buddhika Withanage)

New Forest horses drink from a glassy lake under a sunset. (Daren Baker)

In the Rub Al Khali desert, a horse trainer sticks out in black in front of a setting sun. (Stuart Dunn)

This image of the lush greenery of Botswana’s Okavango Delta was part of a portfolio submitted by photographer Daniel Burton. (Daniel Burton)

The town of Oia in Santorini clings to the hillside under an inky blue sky. (Matt Parry)

A man in Nepalese national dress proudly sells beads from his small shop. (Francis Cox)