BEST PICTURE 2013

GRAND-PRIZE WINNER

Thunderstorm, Grand Canyon, by Adam Schallau
“This shot answers the question, ‘How do you shoot the Grand Canyon and make it look different?’ ” says Arizona Highways Photo Editor Jeff Kida. In this photograph, the angle of the Canyon leads the viewer into the lightning flash at the center. The storm cloud expands upward, into the top half of the photo, and is backlit by a full moon and surrounded by stars. “Schallau saw some things happening and had the presence of mind to put it all together,” Kida says. “When this happens, most people are running for cover. He’s making magical photographs.”
Camera: Nikon D800E; Shutter: 30 sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 800; Focal Length: 14 mm

SECOND PLACE

Sonoran Coachwhip, Queen Creek, by Chuck Brown
“What makes this work is that you’re down at the snake’s level,” Kida says. “Who looks at a snake like this? And the snake’s tongue is sticking out, which makes it even more compelling. It’s like it’s asking, ‘Who or what are you, man?’ ” Also impressive: This photograph was made with a point-and-shoot camera. “I don’t know how many frames he shot to get this photo,” Kida says, “but he stayed with it.”
Camera: Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS; Shutter: 1/200 sec; Aperture: f/2.8; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 4.9 mm

THIRD PLACE

Night-Blooming Cereus, Phoenix, by Marty Van Allen
Shot close to midnight, this night-blooming cereus is made more interesting by being outside the middle of the frame. “Everything leads back to the flower,” Kida says. “Van Allen illuminated this thing from behind. It fluoresces. It really glows.”
Camera: Nikon D7000; Shutter: 1/8 sec; Aperture: f/8; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 38 mm

HONORABLE MENTION

Buttes and Clouds, Monument Valley, by Bev Pettit
The late-afternoon light creates interesting highlights on these buttes in the Four Corners area of Northeastern Arizona. Kida says this photograph is an example of how a little movement — in this case, in the clouds above the buttes — can make a photo less static. The contrast between the warm, hard-edged buttes and the cool, soft clouds adds another layer of intrigue.
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV; Shutter: 1/160 sec; Aperture: f/22; ISO: 800; Focal Length: 70 mm

HONORABLE MENTION

Autumn Colors, West Clear Creek, by Peter Coskun
Coskun uses the bright spot of the canyon wall to draw the viewer’s eye. But he also uses the movement of the leaves in the water to make the photograph less static. “The leaves sweep you toward that bright spot and into the background,” Kida says.
Camera: Canon EOS 7D; Shutter: 30 sec; Aperture: f/8; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 17 mm

HONORABLE MENTION

Snowy Egret, Gilbert Riparian Preserve, by John Sherman
Sherman tailored his exposure to get maximum detail on the bird, rather than on the out-of-focus water around it. “He had to compensate and tell the camera to do something it didn’t want to do,” Kida says, adding that the egret’s leg and foot, along with the way it’s entering the frame from the left, create a sense of anticipation as the bird stalks its prey.
Camera: Nikon D7000; Shutter: 1/1000 sec; Aperture: f/7.1; ISO: 400; Focal Length: 500 mm

HONORABLE MENTION

Night Sky, Lockett Meadow, by Dave Drost
“This is technology at its best,” Kida says. “This photograph, with this high ISO and this length of exposure, wouldn’t have been possible 10 years ago.” The warm tones of the campfire contrast with the blue of the Milky Way, and Drost adds another dimension by shooting across the water. The contrasts of tones and textures are what make this photo so stunning.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Shutter: 20 sec; Aperture: f/4; ISO: 4000; Focal Length: 28 mm

HONORABLE MENTION

Walking Stick, Sonoran Desert, by Seth Critchley
“X marks the spot,” Kida says. The two diagonals of the walking stick and the agave draw the viewer’s eye to the center of the frame. Kida also notes the photograph’s monochromatic nature, which forces the viewer to focus on content, rather than on color. “It’s a cool juxtaposition of two things — one animal, one plant,” he says.
Camera: Sony Alpha NEX-7; Shutter: 1/5 sec; Aperture: f/2.8; ISO: 1600; Focal Length: 16 mm

FAN FAVORITE

Catalina Tree, Santa Catalina Mountains, by Gannon McGhee
This photo was selected as “fan favorite” by an informal poll of our more than 40,000 Facebook followers. And, according to Kida, layers and light are what make it appealing. “The strong shape of the leafless tree in the foreground anchors the image,” he says. “The hills and low-hanging clouds create depth, and the hint of sunlight peeking through those clouds adds just enough warmth to a primarily dark scene.”
Camera: canon eos rebel t2; Shutter: 1/50 sec; Aperture: f/16; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 30 mm