Week 36 Winner

The winner of Week 36 of our #52weeksofnature photo contest is Nico Emmer. With an elevation of 10,100 feet, the alpine scenery around Twenty Lakes Basin is second to none and if you time it perfectly you might just catch the moon setting above the ridge line. Nico has won a $100 gift code to hippytree.com and we are donating $100 to the Surfrider Foundation in his name. Learn more about Nico below.

Where was the image shot?
20 Lakes Basin in the Eastern Sierras.

What camera did you use and what were the settings?
Camera: Canon 60D
Lens: Canon EFS 18-135mm
Shutter Speed: 1/160
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 200

Was there any special preparation required to capture the photo?
Not particularly. I was backpacking out in the Eastern Sierras and got up for sunrise to explore with my friends. I was lucky enough to catch this moment with the full moon just about to set below the mountain at dawn.

How long have you been shooting?
I’ve been shooting since my dad put his old camera in my hands on our family trips when I was about 12, but I’ve only started taking it (semi) seriously over the last two years.

What's your camera of choice?
Currently the Canon 5D mk iii.

What’s your favorite subject matter to shoot?
The natural landscapes of the places I love the most, but specifically people within those environments. I love being able to capture a sense of scale by having people in my shots. It reminds me of how small we are in comparison to world around us, and that feeling of being humbled and in awe is something I try to get across in my pictures.

Do you shoot with a crew or shoot solo?
I generally shoot solo or with one or two other friends. Though I do shoot with a larger crew every now and then.

What excites you about photography?
Being able to take some of the beauty of the wild back with me, and sharing it with others who couldn’t be there themselves.