Featured Image: Matthew McLaughlin
Most every ski photographer will tell you they don’t like to be labeled as such; that’s because they’re equally adept when it comes to documenting breathtaking moments or spectacular action off the snow. As spring skiing draws to a close and the photographers’ trigger fingers thaw from a long winter, a second season awakens. Snow melts from the peaks, revealing granite and sandstone and the raw grandeur of the mountains. Green leaves fill valleys, rivers run and wildflowers color meadows and tundra. The change brings with it both challenges and opportunity for outdoor photographers.
Obstacles like harsh light, haze, smoke, contrast and shadows demand patience, diligence and creativity. Mountain biking with a 40-pound camera pack is no easier than skiing with one, camera dry boxes can leak and fog on the river, documenting high-speed action demands precise timing and capturing #campvibes requires imaginative perspective. Yet, long days breed grand adventure, and with each adventure an opportunity to create captivating imagery. And sifting through the thousands of submissions to FREESKIER’s Photo Shootout: Summer Edition, it’s clear that photographers rose to the task this summer.
Our panel of judges identified finalists and awarded winners who demonstrated not only excellent composition and creativity but also the ability to capture the essence of summer in the mountains. The artists showcased here understand the magic of the mountains whether cloaked in deep powder or tacky dirt, and how one special image can elevate viewers to a new frame of mind.
From the amateurs to the professional photographers, we thank all those who participated in this contest. Be sure to join us in Aspen, Colorado at the Limelight Hotel on September 7 for the Photo Shootout: Summer Edition Gallery Party, featuring an exhibition of our favorite photographs, live music, free food and drink and guaranteed good times. Subscribers to FREESKIER magazine can also look forward to a full-fledged print magazine highlighting the winners and some of our favorite runners-up. For now, feast your eyes on the summer’s most stunning imagery.
Adventure Winner — John Webster
Location: Pucon, Chile, South America
Scenic Winner — Simon Dumont
Location: Grands Falls, Arizona
Abstract Winner — Jay Goodrich
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
People’s Choice Winner — Jordan McGee
Location: Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Mountain Lifestyle & Overall Winner — Wade Godman
Location: Wolcott, Colorado
Runner-Up Submissions:
Photographer: Grant Gunderson
Photographer: Hunter Berge
Photographer: Steve Shannon
Photographer: Derek DiLuzio
Photographer: Ray J. Gadd
Photographer: Sean Logan
Photographer: Benjamin Ginsberg
Photographer: Chip Proulx
Photographer: Craig Coker
Photographer: Cam Dudiak
Photographer: Dan Brown
Photographer: John Webster
And thousands more…
As aforementioned, we give a big thanks to the hundreds of professional and amateur photographers who submitted images for consideration in the Photo Shootout: Summer Edition. Don’t forget to join us in Aspen, Colorado at the Limelight Hotel on September 7 for the Photo Shootout: Summer Edition Gallery Party, featuring an exhibition of our favorite photographs, live music, free food and drink and guaranteed good times. Subscribers to FREESKIER magazine can also look forward to a full-fledged print magazine highlighting the winners and dozens upon dozens of our favorite runners-up.
