Entries are now being taken for the 2019 National Geographic Travel Photo contest.

The contest invites photographers of all abilities to send in the best pictures from their travels in the hope of winning a cash prize and online promotion.

Winning photos from previous years include a close encounter with a humpback whale and the meeting of a lightning strike with a volcanic eruption.

The contest is open until 3 May and you can submit your photographs here.

The Independent has compiled the best pictures from the contest so far in the gallery above.