#52weeksofnature Photo Contest Week 42 Winner
The winner of Week 42 of our #52weeksofnature photo contest is Aaron Bollwinkel (@bared_witness2). People travel from all over the world to take in the magic of a Joshua Tree sunset. We're printing Aaron's winning photo on a HippyTree t-shirt. Explore the #52weeksofnature T-Shirt Section on our site to view t-shirts of past winners.
Where was the image shot?
Joshua Tree, CA
What camera did you use and what were the settings?
Camera: Sony a7 III
Lens: Sony 28-70mm
Shutter Speed: 1/250
Aperture: f3.5
ISO: 640
Was there any special preparation required to capture the photo?
I definitely went out with the intention of capturing one of the famous sunsets at Joshua Tree. My girlfriend and I scouted an area where I was able to capture the layers of the landscape while still ensuring I had an image with the famous Joshua Trees.
How long have you been shooting?
A little over 4 years now. I took a long trip through Eastern Europe in 2016 and purchased a used Sony to document my travels. I was immediately hooked.
What's your favorite subject matter to shoot?
I love photographing just about anything, but I seem to be most strongly drawn to nature and landscape. My affinity for the outdoors lines-up perfectly with the opportunity to capture such beauty.
Where would be your dream location to take photos?
Right now I’d probably have to say Alaska. So much beauty out there and a wealth of National Parks which I’m obsessed with.
Who are some photographers that inspire you?
Ansel Adams, Pete Souza, Roberto Valenzuela, Ben Strauss, Paige Tingey, and so many more. It’s really a very eclectic group.
What excites you about photography?
The ability to capture something beautiful in our own artistic way. We are all artists in some way and the current era of social media has provided a mechanism for displaying our artistic individuality.
