National Geographic Traveller reveals 2015 photography finalists

From a boy dressed in a bear bearskin to a train whizzing through the Sri Lankan countryside with people clinging to the outside of the carriages, the images capture a moment in the travels of photographers from around the world.

But not all the photos are from exotic destinations, the judges also listed an image of London's Southbank at night as a finalist. 

The annual competition launched last September, has listed a finalist in each category - Action, Animal, People, River, Rural and Urban.

This year, the images are as diverse as the locations where they were snapped.

Among the stunning images is the shot of the train zipping through the Sri Lankan countryside, from Ella to Kandy, captured by Yanick Targonski.

Nature lovers will further appreciate the serenity of Claire Carter's Patagonian landscape, photographed in Rio de la Vueltas, Argentina.

The New Year rituals in northern Romania involve locals wearing animal furs and bright colours and dancing to bring good luck, as photographd by Alecsandra Raluca.

London is home to this year's finalist in the Urban category, where aspiring photographer Philip Braude snapped a glittering evening shot of St. Paul's church from the Southbank.

(dailymail.co.uk)