Capture the Wild Photography Contest

Meet the 2004 Winning Photographers

Richard Akitt

"As an outdoor leadership student in Calgary, I took to carrying a point and shoot camera to capture the stunning landscapes and exciting activities around me. Years later, the chance finding of an SLR camera buried in the snow at the base of a frozen waterfall led me to pursue photography more seriously. My camera is now a constant companion on trips as well as a tool for capturing those moments of rare beauty that are so easily overlooked. I consider it a privilege to not only view such moments, but also be able to share them with others."

"The frozen flow image was shot while descending from Pigeon Spire in Bugaboo Provincial Park. I’d already taken some shots of the same phenomenon higher on the glacier but while walking downhill I noticed the swirls combining with rolls in the topography to create a complex sense of flow. It was one of those unplanned moments where I was able to capture something special on film."

Christa Beckmann

"I have always had an interest in photography and started taking photos when I was young. In high school, I took photos for my school paper and yearbook and experimented with black and white developing in art class. I have also had an interest in natural history from about the age of ten, so most of my photos are outdoor related. Currently, I am completing a Masters degree in Biology at the University of Regina. My field research takes place just west of the city of Calgary – a perfect place to spend my summers! I balance my work days with outdoor activities including nature photography, birding, backcountry hiking and cross country skiing."

"This photo was taken while hiking in Olympic National Park in Washington. It was difficult to find the right tree – there were just too many choices! The photo was takes with a Canon Elan 7 camera body and a18-35 mm lens."

I can be contacted at beckmanc@uregina.ca

Robert Berdan

"My passion for photography began at the age of 15. My interest at the time was to capture the strange and unusual animals found in a drop of pond water that I saw with my microscope. This passion led to a career in medical research for over 15 years where I investigated how cells communicate, and how nerves regenerate and respond to injury. Many of my photographs taken with various microscopes were featured on the cover of scientific journals and books. Later my interests lead me to pursue a career in science education where I worked as manager of the Calgary Science Center for five years. In 1996, I left the Calgary Science Center to start my own multimedia business called Science & Art where I provide web development, computer training and a variety of photography services (http://www.scienceandart.org).
The world wide web provides an opportunity to pursue my interests in multimedia and the aesthetics of design and photography on a full time basis i.e. Science & Art. My goal in photography is to capture Canada’s natural beauty. To achieve this I use 35 mm cameras (film and digital) and a large format (4 x 5 inch) field camera. In 2003 I set up a web site dedicated to Canadian Nature photography where I sell images and offer a variety of photography workshops (www.scienceandart.ca) where I share my passion with other interested photographers."

Burnt Trees in Kootenay National Park
"This image was taken on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 on a drive to Radium. The forest fire the summer before left the trees barren and the striking patterns in the snow were devoid of any color. Forest fires symbolize the age-old battle between man and nature. Forest fires restore nutrients to the earth and rejuvenate the soil. It will be interesting to see the new growth that appears in this forest over the next few years. Photo was taken with Fuji S2 Digital camera in RAW mode, F16, 80-200 mm Zoom lens at 112 mm, 1\125 sec at 3:08 pm (data from embedded EXIF)."

Moose in a Snow Storm
"When there is a storm of any kind, I usually jump in my jeep and head out into the country to take pictures. On this wintery day I headed up highway 766 north of Calgary and captured numerous pictures of mule deer and this moose along side the road. Winters can be tough on wild animals and this picture captures a day in the life of a moose feeding on willows in blowing snow."

"I used a Nikon D1 digital camera, with a 300 F2.8 lens (equivalent of 450 mm lens). The D1 only uses 2.7 Megapixels so the image resolution is low, and the mode was set to .jpg file type. (I now usually shoot in RAW mode with my digital cameras as it provides more flexibility and the images can be enlarged to a greater extent). I love shooting in winter when most folks put their cameras away and I even offer a winter photography workshop in January each year" (www.scienceandart.ca/workshops.php).

Peter Biro

"My inspiration for photography comes from a love of the outdoors, but also a love for photography itself. I try and spend as much time outdoors as possible, with nature photography a focus of my time spent outside. I’ve been photographing seriously for about six years now. I started by using a 35mm film slr, then acquired medium and large format equipment, and now find myself mostly shooting digital. I recommend digital to everyone now!"

"This photo was taken in the Ke'anae Arboretum, a small untended nature reserve on the Hana coastof Maui. If memory serves, the colourful trees you see are introduced rainbow eucalyptus. Infact, it seemed that most of the animals and vegetation were introduced on that island. We took many different photos of these amazing trees – the mostly overcast and shady conditions were perfect that day for avoiding harsh contrast. I took this photo using a 4x5 view camera, using a 6x9 rollfilm back, on velvia film. A warming filter was used to counteract the blueish cast that film takes on in the shade."

I can be contacted at pbiro@ucalgary.ca.

Bob Christopher

Bob Christopher is a 57-year-old retired Physical Education teacher who lives on an acreage south of Calgary near DeWinton, Alberta.

He has been an avid amateur photographer since the 1970s and continues his passion for photography to this day. Bob enjoys all forms of making images but especially enjoys outdoor excursions with his wife Vivian, who travels with him on photo shoots in Canada and the United States. His favorite areas include the mountains, deserts and seashores of both the USA and Canada.

Bob was the Grand Prize Winner of last year’s Capture the Wild competition, as well as having another first place category win in the same contest. He also had two first place images in the Canadian Geographic Photo Contest last year.

The image Mesa Arch - First Light was taken in June 2004 at Mesa Arch, overlooking Canyonlands National Park In Utah. This is a popular location for photographers and images of Mesa Arch often appear in outdoor photography magazines. Early spring is an excellent time to visit this area in Utah as our weather in Alberta is generally much cooler than the area around Moab, Utah, where the Canyonlands National Park is located. It is quite a thrill to stand and look at this magnificent landscape. Bob recommends photographers arrive before the sun is breaking the horizonand enjoy this wonderful spot.

Peter A. Dettling

"In a world where the destruction of our environment is worse than ever before, where old growth forests are being logged at a surreal speed, where overfishing has emptied the oceans, where species are being rendered globally extinct faster than ever, there are still ecosystems that have managed to survive the human appetite for destruction. Those places are the ones that attract me more than anything else. Having been to a lot of those last remaining wildernesses makes me want to share my magnificent experiences with everyone I know and beyond. My photographs are my way of communicating with other people. Furthermore, I hope my images show the viewer the need of protecting more pristine land and its inhabitants against the industrial madness."

"There are two key words that describe best my images of nature: harmony and respect. Respect towards people, cultures, religions and mother nature. Harmony between humankind and its environment. My goal is to show the viewer the truth: real moments of real places. I very rarely remove something out of the photograph, not even a leaf, that may disturb the composition. Photography is all about including or excluding from the viewfinder. To achieve this goal I use small and medium format equipment."

Craig Douce

Craig Douce is a Canmore-based photographer on staff with the Rocky Mountain Outlook newspaper. He is a formally trained photojournalist, graduating from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s photojournalism program.

Craig’s photographs have been published in magazines and newspapers around the world, and have garnered awards in sports, news, and wildlife categories. He was the runner up for 2000 Canadian Association of Journalists’ “Photojournalist of the Year,” and also runner up for the 2000 National Newspaper Awards’ “Spot News Photo of the Year,” for his coverage of the tragic Pine Lake Tornado.

Craig won top honours in the 2002 CPAWS Capture The Wild photo contest.

He tries to blend the skills and techniques of traditional photojournalism, portraiture, wildlife, and scenics, to create exciting and unique images that transcend the boundaries of any one genre.

Pine Marten
The photo of the Pine Marten was taken in Banff National Park in January, 2004.
The curious little guy was seen scurrying around in the snow before taking to the trees to get a good look at the photographer.

He perfectly illustrates the beauty and lethal nature of much of the area’s wildlife with a “cute and cuddly” face and beautiful colours, combined with a business-like set of claws. Despite the cute appearance, he upheld the aggressive reputation of the weasel family with a loud growl that could do a much larger animal justice.

Elizabeth Hak

"I’ve been interested in photography for many years but it has only been within the last six years that I have put any effort into improving my abilities. Currently, I am using 35 mm, medium format and digital cameras as I can’t seem to make up my mind which I like best! I stay home with my young son so I grab opportunities to go out and shoot images whenever I can get them."

"Earlier this year, I knew I wanted to go to Nose Hill Park to get some shots of the prairie crocuses. I waited all week with the intention of going out on the Saturday to get my shots. On the Friday night, not only did we get snow but also freezing rain. I woke up on Saturday to very un-spring-like conditions. I persevered and drove up to Nose Hill anyway. I’m so glad I did. At first I didn’t see any crocuses but I crouched down low and looked across the field. I could just make out some of the flowers peeking out of the ice-encrusted snow. I lay on my stomach and used my macro lens to fill the frame with as much of the flower as possible. I was amazed at both the strength and fragility of these beautiful little flowers. Little droplets of water were forming on the edges of the flowers. The crocus seemed to have some inner warmth that was melting the ice covering it. They are truly wondrous beauties of nature!"

William Matheson

William Matheson is a professional photographer with roots in advertising and commercial photography. Educated in the creative/applied photography programs at both Sheridan and Humber College in Ontario, he moved to Alberta in 2000 to further explore his true passion, nature photography.

The photograph was taken in Banff National Park on an overcast day, with a Nikon F90X and a 20mm lens. Two filters were used, a warming polarizer and a neutral density filter.

Alan Maudie

Alan Maudie is a Calgary based professional photographer who provides photographic services to wide range of corporate and commercial clientele throughout North America and Europe. Although he acknowledges there is a limited market for landscape imagery he enjoys the subject matter so much that he just can’t stop photographing it. Being born and raised in the East Kootenays, the Purcells and the Canadian Rockies were both a big part of his childhood and remain so today. He participates in most outdoor adventure activities, but when it really comes down to it he feels there are only two seasons: good skiing conditions and bad skiing conditions. When the skiing gets really bad you will probably find him on his mountain bike or in his hiking boots chasing his wife, Suzanne, along an alpine ridge somewhere. Visit www.alanmaudie.com for more information and photographs.

About the Photos

"Each year in early August, I instruct a photo workshop at Sentry Mountain Lodge, in the Esplanade Range of the Selkirks, north of Golden, B.C. The workshop is timed to coincide with the peak of the wildflower season. Sentry Mountain Lodge has some of the best hiking I have encountered anywhere in Western Canada. There are seemingly endless pockets of alpine meadows stuffed full of wildflowers and numerous picture-perfect hanging lakes and waterfalls. In short, it’s a candy store for outdoor photographers. The Arnica at Sunrise photo was taken in August of 2004 during one of the workshop field sessions. For more information on the workshop and hiking at Sentry Mountain Lodge see www.sentrymountainlodge.com."

The Lotus Flower Tower photograph was taken in 1996 while exploring the Cirque of the Unclimbables area in the Northwest Territories. The area is legendary for awful weather, so blue skies are not to be wasted. The Lotus Flower Tower (dominant tower, back left) is a considered to be one of the finest pure rock climbs in the world.

Peter Sulzle

Peter Sulzle lives in Kamloops, British Columbia. Nothing inspires him more than wildlife, nature and the outdoors. Some of his photographic work has been published by naturalist and conservation publications such as Alberta Naturalist, Blue Jay and Cordillera. Living in Kamloops offers plenty of opportunity for the nature photographer. Bears, wild sheep, deer and rattlesnakes are only a sampling of the creatures Peter has photographed near his home. This particular image of a frosty Ponderosa Pine was taken in the Lac Du Bois Grasslands area of B.C.

“I was in search of California Bighorn Sheep when I came across this pine that I thought would make a great photograph. The way the frost covered its needles really captured my interest as I looked through the lens.” After seven or eight different compositions, he settled on this one to submit to the CPAWS contest.

Peter’s photo library consists primarily of images of the Alberta Rockies and Kamloops area, but a newly acquired interest in close-ups of nature and adventure photography will expand his collection in the near future.

Questions about CPAWS Southern Alberta? E-mail info@cpawscalgary.org
Comments on this Web site? E-mail webmaster@cpawscalgary.org