Week 28 Winner
The winner of Week 28 of our #52weeksofnature photo contest is Shaun Wolfe. There's a whole other world to explore below the surface if you're willing to take the plunge. This photo of a lone diver off the island of Moloka'i is as eerie as it is stunning. Shaun has won a $100 gift code to hippytree.com and we are donating $100 to the Surfrider Foundation on his behalf. Learn more about Shaun below.
Where was the image shot?
This photo was taken off the island of Moloka’i at Kalaupapa National Historic Park.
What camera did you use and what were the settings?
Camera: Nikon D3S
Lens: Nikkor 14mm f2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 3200
Was there any special preparation required to capture the photo?
I was on assignment as the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society National Park Service Intern where I did underwater work at ten National Parks. During lunch one day I convinced my boss to let us dive this swim through. Fifteen minutes later we were in the water. It was pretty last minute. I visualized this shot beforehand, but I had no idea what the feature would look like until I got down there!
How long have you been shooting?
Very casually for about nine years. Professionally for one year.
What's your camera of choice?
I love the Nikon D3S I shot this photo with, but it’s not mine. I shoot with a Sony A7RII. I’ve been getting more video gigs lately and the A7RII is an awesome and versatile system in a tiny body, works with more accessories and people are less intimidated by it in interviews. Also, I shoot 35mm on a Canon AE-1, which is a choose-your-own-adventure rig. Lots of light leaks and imperfections, which I love.
What’s your favorite subject matter to shoot?
Anything that tells a good story, especially underwater. My dream set up? Underwater at 60 feet with massive geological features, big marine organisms and humans all in one.
Do you shoot with a crew or shoot solo?
For photo, I’m almost always solo as the photographer on the team or charging on my own during time off. For video, I’ll usually have or be a part of a small crew.
What excites you about photography?
The fact that you can tell a compelling story through a very consumable single frame. Photography is a tool for me. I am a conservationist at my core. Photography is my way of telling the stories of conservation and science in an engaging way to audiences that may never engage with conservation and science otherwise, and that is a beautiful thing.
