#52weeksofnature Photo Contest Week 14 Winner
The winner of Week 14 of our #52weeksofnature photo contest is Ian Belzer (@ianbelzer5280). While the chaos carries on, photos like this are a constant reminder of better and calmer times ahead. Ian has won $150 and is getting his winning image printed on a HippyTree t-shirt. Explore the Nature Photography Collective section on our site to view t-shirts of past winners.
Where was the image shot?
Maroon Lake, Colorado
What camera did you use and what were the settings?
Camera: Nikon D5200
Lens: Nikkor 10-20mm
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 100
Was there any special preparation required to capture the photo?
Just good fortune finding myself in the valley during that time of the year, regardless of how popular it is. I woke up before the sun and headed out to watch the sunrise drape over the Maroon Bells. It was actually one of the simpler and calmer early morning missions I’ve had.
How long have you been shooting?
I was always intrigued, but it wasn’t until about 2015 that I started shooting consistently.
What's your favorite subject matter to shoot?
Landscape, lifestyle and outdoor photography seem to grip my attention the most. One of my favorite scenes to capture is people outdoors pursuing their passions. I always find a lot of magic in moments like that.
Where would be your dream location to take photos?
As hard as it is to narrow that down, I have always wanted to visit Iceland or Alaska. Mother Nature is a powerful, beautiful force that I think is abundantly visible in the Icelandic and Alaskan geography.
Who are some photographers that inspire you?
I am always motivated by what Ansel Adams and the like did to help people realize how magnificent the natural world around us is. I’d say some of my favorite photographers right now would be Chris Burkard, Jimmy Chinn and Jamie Justus Out.
What excites you about photography?
The idea that my photographs might give people a deeper appreciation for the planet and life as a whole, or inspire them to get outside and challenge themselves in some way... I find that exciting.
