2012: Wildscapes - Commended
Hans Strand (Sweden)
The great Maelifell
Hans had photographed the extinct Maelifell volcano, icon of the Icelandic highlands, many times. On this occasion, though, he wanted to show it towering over the massive Myrdalsjökull Glacier, through which it emerged some 10,000 years ago. Today the cone is cloaked not in ice but in a type of cushion moss, which is a coloniser of lava and is vibrant green when wet. Hans also wanted to set the glowing green cone against the sea of volcanic soil surrounding it, encircled by the ice-water streams flowing down from the glacier. To do this, the pilot had to fly much lower and closer than usual. In fact, the plane went so fast, says Hans, ‘that I managed only one single frame. It was like trying to shoot clay pigeons.’
Hasselblad H3DII-50 + 35-90mm f5.6 lens at 35mm; 1/500 sec at f5.6; ISO 200.
View other winners in this category
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Winner Aurora over ice Thilo Bubek
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Runner-up Heavenly view Magnus Carlsson
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Specially Commended Celebration of a grey day Fortunato Gatto
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Commended The cove by moonlight Miquel Angel Artús Illana
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Commended Morning Glory by night Robert Sinclair
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