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This 12 months, Blue Ridge Open air Journal held its annual Cowl Picture Contest sponsored by Adventures on the Gorge to supply our readers and the proficient photographers of our area the possibility to land a canopy and win an journey. From views of mountainous sunsets to pictures of raging river journeys, all outside journey images taken throughout the Mid-Atlantic Southeast area had been welcome for submission. We obtained lots of of submissions and 1000’s of votes for the fifteen finalists, however one got here out on prime.
We’re excited to announce the winner of this 12 months’s contest is Jared Kreiss together with his gorgeous picture of a household of bears exploring Cades Cove of Tennessee. The profitable picture can be featured on an upcoming cowl of Blue Ridge Open air. The runner-ups for this 12 months’s contest are Rob Giersch coming in second place with an epic shot of a C-1 paddler working superior whitewater rapids, and Jay Michaud in third place with a beautiful sundown of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
We caught up with Kreiss to get to know the story behind the lens and be taught his course of in images and capturing a household of bears within the wild.
BRO: How does it really feel to be this 12 months’s Cowl Picture Contest Winner?
Kreiss: It’s thrilling to have my work acknowledged and am I proud to point out off this space with my images.
BRO: We’re dying to know—how did you seize this unbelievable picture of this bear household?
Kreiss: So, I spent over 60 hours in Cades Cove driving my bike round and relentlessly trying to find any exercise. I noticed this specific household out within the subject and simply sat there and watched them for about half-hour with my digital camera prepared. After some time of ready, they only occurred to pop up out of the grass.
BRO: Inform us about your self as a photographer and adventurer—how would you describe your work/course of and the place do you draw your inspiration from?
Kreiss: As a photographer I like to have the ability to create a way of peace and connection to our planet with what I create. I’m very devoted with my work and maintain myself to a excessive customary in the case of capturing the right second and bringing it to life with submit processing. I attempt to preserve my photographic type clear and minimal in addition to having it’s an correct illustration of how I noticed it. I draw my inspiration from the pure magnificence that surrounds us, particularly the Southern Appalachian area.
BRO: The place is your favourite place to discover / {photograph}?
Kreiss: The mountains of North Carolina are more than likely my favourite place to discover and {photograph}. I discover an awesome sense of peace and stillness in these mountains over many different locations.
BRO: What’s one among your favourite images aside from this one?
Kreiss: Considered one of my different favourite images would most likely be a shot over the Na Pali coast in Kauai. I believe the reminiscence that picture offers me, hanging out the facet of a helicopter whereas taking the picture is admittedly simply onerous to prime.
BRO: What recommendation would you give to somebody eager to {photograph} wildlife, esp bears?
Kreiss: I’m nonetheless comparatively new to wildlife images, nevertheless some ideas I’d give to somebody beginning out could be to familiarize your self with the animal’s habits, patterns and behaviors. Figuring out the place they like to hang around, what they prefer to eat and so forth. Even be ready to go days, weeks and even months with out seeing something or getting any good images. It takes endurance.
BRO: The place do you see your images taking you subsequent? Any huge initiatives or concepts for the long run?
Kreiss: I’d love for my images to take me to both Alaska or New Zealand within the close to future. So far as huge initiatives or concepts, I’d like to tackle extra business work and initiatives that can be displayed in promoting. Billboards, magazines, journey guides and so forth. I want to proceed working within the tourism business whereas increasing my community of clientele and alternatives. Any mission that includes sustainability or environmentalism would even be a mission that might get me excited.
Disclaimer: Wildlife will be unpredictable and harmful to human life when approached within the wild. We don’t reccomend interacting with wildlife with out skilled supervision or steering. Kreiss took these images with a really lengthy lens at a protected distance from these bears. At all times seek the advice of your native division of wildlife earlier than recreating within the open air.
Cowl Picture by Jared Kriess
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