“Most travelers and outdoor photographers are familiar with famed National Parks around southern Utah, including Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.  Zion National Park is particularly heavily trafficked in the front country where some interesting formations and massive cliffs exist.  The area is really known for its slot canyons in the backcountry, or something in-between a large canyon and a slot, such as the The Narrows.  While visitors can simply start walking up the river (which takes up much of the width of the canyon) where it enters the front country, a great one or two-day hike can be had by hiking down the long canyons after being dropped off in the backcountry.  I was hiking with a few friends and the huge red rock of the canyon walls makes for some pretty dramatic scenery.  The trail crosses the river time after time, and I had my friend stop at one of these crossings and hold very still.  On a tripod, I could allow a longer shutter speed to force the water to flow in the image, and if she remained very still, then she also remained sharp in the image.  The human element, I felt, gave the image a sense of scale and also makes people realize that they too can go enjoy some great outdoors in southern Utah.” –Joel Addams

To view more images by Joel, click here.

To view more images by Whit Richardson, click here. 

To view more images by Sasha Maslov, click here.

Aurora Contributor Massimo Berruti’s image was used on the cover of Time Magazine International. The powerful photo is of a man who was killed by rangers in Golimar Square in Karachi, Pakistan. Shiite people belonging to the MQM party were burning buses and cars, protesting the London assassination of Imran Farooq, the top leader of MQM party. Protesters were firing on people passing through the square before the arrival of the rangers.

To view more images from Massimo Berruti, visit Aurora Photos.

Aurora Contributor Carol Barrington photograph was featured on the cover of Newsweek International. Carol’s image is of the beautiful ruins of Ayutthaya, a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Today it is a historical park, and among its treasures are these heads at Wat Mahathat. (From Wickipedia:) “King Ramathibodi I (Uthong) founded Ayutthaya as the capital of his kingdom in 1351 and absorbed poor Sukhothai, 640 km to the north, in 1376. Over the next four centuries the kingdom expanded to become the nation of Siam,whose borders were roughly those of modern Thailand, except for the north, the Kingdom of Lannathai. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annam), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. The court of King Narai (1656-1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris. When Ayutthaya fell to Burmese attack in 1767, its territory included the Northern Shan states of Burma, Lanna (Chiang Mai), Yunnan & Shan Sri (China), Lan Xiang (Laos), Cambodia, South Vietnam and some of Malaya.

To view more images from Carol Barrington, visit Aurora Photos.

Aurora Photographer John Orcutt’s photograph was used for the cover of Territory Ahead. The photo is of the wire suspension bridge spanning the Carrabassett River in New Portland is the last survivor of four similar bridges built in Maine in the 1860′s. The timber framed towers and the main cables remain from the original construction. Decorative lighting creates a strong graphic, consistent with the enduring character of this historic structure.

To view more images from John Orcutt, visit Aurora Photos.

Select photographer Michael Eudenbach’s photos for Sunrise Trail were published in the winter issue of Rails to Trails magazine. Here is what Michael had to say about the shoot. ”Being asked to shoot the “Sunrise Trail” in winter meant putting all the pieces together to tell the story in a single photo for the magazine cover: snow, sunrise, and people in action on the trail. It started out to be a winter weather waiting game. Ice storms and extreme cold temperatures had kept even hearty Mainer’s indoors for weeks, but finally a fresh snowfall before a sunny weekend allowed it all to come together. Once arriving on the trail, I discovered why these converted old railroad routes make perfect skiing and biking trails, carving a beautiful path through coastal towns and the rugged woods. I hiked along with my camera, chased after snowshoers and skiers, dodged a few high speed snowmobiles, even brushed up on the Down East Maine accent. Turns out you can get there from here, if you stay on the trail!”

To view more images from Michael Eudenbach, visit Aurora Photos.

Aurora and Agence VU Contributor Michael Grieve documented the riots that plagued England in August. Disturbances began in Tottenham, North London, following a peaceful march protesting against the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan by Metropolitan Police Service firearms officers on 4 August 2011. Disorder spread across London and to other areas of England, with the worst disturbances centered on several major cities.

To view more images from Michael Grieve, visit Aurora Photos.
To view more images from Agence VU, click here.

Aurora Photographer Renan Rosa recently was awarded the cover of BBC Magazines Focus on Africa. The July to September issue of Focus on Africa highlights Africa’s political reform and the steps the people are taking to solidify a valid government. You can view the issue online by, clicking here.

To view more images from Renan Rosa, visit Aurora Photos.

To view the images in the planner, click here.
To view more images from Corey Rich, visit Aurora Photos.
To view more images from Justin Bailie visit Aurora Photos.