Week 14 Winner

The winner of Week 14 of our #52weeksofnature photo contest is Chris Hilton. A good water shot is dependent on swell, tide, water clarity, sunlight, exposure and timing. It’s rare when all these elements work in unison, but when they do it’s hypnotizing. Chris has won a $100 gift code to hippytree.com and we are donating $100 to the Surfrider Foundation on his behalf. Learn more about Chris below:

Where was the image shot?
The image was shot in Laguna Beach, CA. It represents a classic winter afternoon in Southern California. With solid swell, clear water and light winds all day, you just can't beat it.

How long have you been shooting?
I’ve been passionate about photography for about eight years now, starting as a grom shooting with the first GoPro camera. Since I was little I was always captivated by the ocean.

What’s your camera of choice?
My current go-to camera is the Canon 7d Mark II. The capability to shoot at 10 frames per second is a necessity for the kind of images I love to capture.

What’s your favorite subject matter to shoot?
Although I have been experimenting with portraits and shooting with surfers; empty, blank canvas waves at sunrise will always be my favorite subject to shoot.

Do you shoot with a crew or shoot solo?
Shooting with a close group of friends is always a blast. Yelling and hollering at the next incoming wave and sharing stoke about conditions with your closest friends beats just about anything. But shooting during a beautiful sunrise by myself without another soul in the water will always hold a close place in my heart.

What excites you about photography?
I am always searching for the perfect photo. No matter how good I think a shot is, it's always possible to improve it somehow. As I’ve been told in the past, the best photo you'll take will always be the next one.