The stunning pictures taking top prize in this year's National Geographic Traveler contest

The 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest was the competition's 27th year and the methods of photography used by the winners below have evolved considerably since the contest began.

This year's winning photo was taken off the cost of Mexico and showed a humpback whale diving with her new born calf cruising around Roca Partida Island, in Revillagigedo. 

The picture that came second depicted . Three gravel workmen are looking through the window glass at their working place. Taken in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Entries posted on National Geographic's gallery of top images included captivating shots taken with drones, cell phones as well as more traditional methods. Each capturing Earth at its most vivid.

This year, the grand prize is an eight-day National Geographic Photo Expedition to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal for two. 

(dailymail.co.uk)