View the Stunning Finalist Photos from the 2016 Smithsonian Readers' Choice Awards

In 2003, the Smithsonian started an annual photo contest for photographers to submit their work in various categories. This year, the 14th Annual Smithsonian.com Photo Contest received over 48,000 submissions from photographers in 146 countries and territories. In what has become a great way to get the public involved, the Readers' Choice Award is now open for voting -- categories include: The American Experience, Natural World, Travel, Sustainable Travel, People, Altered Images, and Mobile. Wit...