Capture the Wild Photography Contest

Meet the 2006 Winning Photographers

Richard Akitt

“My interest in photography began as a way to catalogue my own outdoor adventures and the stunning landscapes I found myself traveling through. To this day I am most inspired by the sometimes subtle moments that reveal themselves when I've worked hard to reach a particular place. My camera has become a constant companion on trips, a tool for capturing that rare beauty that is so easily overlooked. I consider it a privilege to not only view such moments, but also be able to share them with others.

“Unforgiving Beauty was taken as some friends and I descended from Uto Peak in Rogers Pass. Having been rained off of our climb for the day I found myself lying the mud and rocks taking pictures while they figured out the creek crossing. On the way up I had been struck by the site of this tiny oasis of color in an endless field of rock. Unexpectedly descending the same way I was lucky to have the chance stop for a moment to capture it on film. The image was taken with a Nikon F100 and Sigma 12-24mm lens.”

Richard is a Calgary based photographer who is currently working on turning his passion for making images into a profession.

Robert Berdan

Robert Berdan is a professional nature photographer, web developer and instructor, and is located in Calgary, Alberta. His passion is outdoor photography, he leads a number of photo-tours and kayak-tours. His photographs have been published in a variety of magazines including: PhotoLife, Canadian Geographic, IMPACT, Alberta Views and various books. He has three web sites: www.moodsofnature.com, www.scienceandart.ca and www.scienceandart.org.

Bob Christopher

Bob Christopher is a 59-year-old photographer from Calgary, Alberta. He is a retired physical education teacher who majored in Outdoor pursuits at the University of Calgary. Bob was born in Claresholm, Alberta. He lived in Lethbridge, Alberta for the first twenty years of his life. Bob taught school in Calgary at the elementary and junior high levels.

As a photographer Bob is always seeking dramatic light and unusual subject matter which he hopes to present in an artistic manner in his images. There are many subjects that are of interest to him in his work but the world of nature holds a particular fascination for him. From his love of the outdoors grew a need to "capture the wild" with his camera.

The subjects he chooses to photograph range from insects to mountains. Landscapes of uniquely wild areas and animals in their natural habitat are often featured in his images. In particular he believes images should "tell a story". Animals convey a stronger emotion when they are photographed when they are "doing something". Birds or butterflies in flight hold a greater appeal for him than they do as stationary subjects. Likewise, landscapes showing the drama of the location are seen by him as being more special. Bob believes that landscapes convey a greater emotion when the subject is captured in excellent light. Images created using dramatic angles and perspective are often sought for. When things go right the resulting image has the ability to draw the viewer into the frame and creates what is often called the "Wow Factor".

Presently Bob and his wife Vivian are enjoying their retirement traveling, using their cameras at every opportunity.

Rochelle Coffey

“My passion for photography really only started in 2004 when I got my first digital camera. I owned a film SLR for a few years before then, and loved taking pictures of family holidays in Kananaskis Country. Every picture had to have at least one person in it. My husband used to joke … ‘can’t you take a picture without people in it?’ Now, my passion is mainly wildlife and landscapes. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful country, and my desire is to honor God with the way I display His amazing creation.

“I am also extremely blessed to have a husband, Brian, who fully supports my passion. He is my tour guide, driver, sherpa, spotter, etc. We both share a passion for the outdoors in all seasons of the year.

“Pika – this photograph was taken at the Rock Pile at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. On this particular day, my husband was climbing Mt. Temple with some others which left me with the day to enjoy the beauty of Moraine Lake and area. Only after attending the Gala function did I realize that fellow award winner, David Wirzba (also from Lethbridge) was also at Moraine Lake the same day, also climbing Mt. Temple. It really is a small world!”

Peter A. Dettling

Peter A. Dettling, 33, is an award-winning photographer and painter whose passion for the natural world has taken him all over the globe, from the Galapagos Islands to Alaska's far north, and from the Grand Canyon to the Swiss Alps. For the last decade, since he first visited the Rocky Mountains in 1996, Peter's main focus has been photographing and painting the wildlife, people and places of the Yellowstone to Yukon region.

“Since I traveled first time through the Rocky Mountains, back in 1996, I was fascinated by the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and I always wanted to take one day sometime to document the fascinating rut ritual of the bighorn. A professional nature photographer and friend from Montana told me about some great locations for photographing the bighorn up near Jasper. The following three years one could find me each November up in Jasper looking for those ‘mountain royals’ and what I could observe exceeded by far my expectations. Jasper National Park is in many respects one of the greatest place on earth for a nature lover and photographer, no doubt about it!”

Duane Rosenkranz

“I have been interested in our natural world for as long as I can remember and interested in photography since I knew what a camera was. The last 15 years I have been a serious amateur and have been able to sell the occasional editorial photo or print. I spend much of my free time outdoors in pursuit of wildlife images and nature still life when I see something that catches my eye.

“I stated shooting digital in early 2005, technology which has opened new photographic windows. My total files now number over 20,000, mostly wildlife images, and growing fast. Recently I have begun producing canvas prints, images may be viewed at www.wildroseprints.com.

“Gaillardia is a common flower in the Rockies. This image was taken right at the edge of the pavement along a side road in Jasper N.P. I think this is my favorite flower photo, I like the colors and simplicity of the image. There were lots of flowers at this spot and I tried several compositions but this is the only shot I took.”

Arthur Sevestre

“I started studying biology in the Netherlands, where I still live, to contribute to conservation of natural values. After graduating in 2002 however, I found that there are remarkably few paid jobs for conservation biologists, despite the great need for them. In 2005 I decided to go my own way and start a freelance solo project combining my knowledge of biology and love for nature photography. Project Canada aims to raise awareness of the natural values of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, as well as of the impact of human activities on these values. The project is planned to last at least until 2010, but hopefully a lot longer!

Project Canada: www.project-canada.com
Other photography: www.artsevestre-photography.com

“This image symbolizes the isolation, power and vulnerability of mountaintops. Mountaintops are like islands rising up out of an ocean of lower lands. To survive on these ‘islands’, species had to adapt to the harsh conditions and in doing so, they actually became more or less dependent on them. So much so that if the conditions were to change suddenly, these species would suffer greatly, or even perish along with the ecosystem they have become part of. Climate change can make that happen. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns will just as effectively drown an ecosystem as salt waves will. It is our responsibility to not let that happen!”

Simone Tomasi

“I was born in Pisa, Italy, in 1973. I have grown up loving to be outdoors, especially in the mountains. Until the age of 20 I have hiked and backpacked extensively in the Italian Alps and Apennines.

“My interest in photography has started at the age of 12, when I was given my first SLR.

“One of the reasons why I moved to Calgary is that it is so close to the Canadian Rockies, with magnificent opportunities for hikes and wildlife watching. Here my love for nature has finally met at a higher level with my passion for photography.

“My photograph Bald Eagle was taken on a cloudy day in June, a few hundred meters off the coast of Cape Breton Island, NS, using a Nikon D200 and a Nikkor 80-400mm zoom. I was returning from a bird watching tour around some tiny islands located in front of the Big Bras d'Or, when the bald eagle approached the fishing boat I was on, hoping to snatch some "gift".

“The inquisitive look is actually directed at the boat, in the hope to spot some fish. In a few seconds it was gone, but not before I fired a long burst of shots, of which I think this is the best in capturing the power of this impressive bird.”

Michael Wieser

Michael Wieser is an enthusiastic amateur photographer living in Calgary, Alberta. He has been taking pictures since he was six years old using his father’s ancient Exa 35 mm camera. Going with the times, he began exploring digital photography and the enormous creative potential available in the digital darkroom. Photography enables Michael to combine his fascination with technology and his appreciation of natural spaces. Through his images, Michael can focus on and share with others the incredible beauty found in the details that comprise our environment. When he is not wandering around taking photographs, he works as a physicist at the University of Calgary.

The image “Snow on Grass” was captured in the southern interior of British Columbia in November after an early snowfall. The single stalk of grass assumes a graceful pose under the heavy burden of snowflakes perched on top.

David Wirzba

“Hello, my name is David Wirzba and photography is my passion. I am married and have three teenage children. I live north of Lethbridge and work on a neighboring farm. The first image called The Wave was taken on remote, northern BLM land in Arizona. A limit of 20 people per day can access this place. During the 2005 Easter season, my family and I were able to hike to and photograph this amazing wonder. The second image is of Mount Assiniboine and was photographed in early July 2005. I went with a friend for a three-day trek. We had cloudy, rainy weather most of the time, but on the final day, we had a small window of opportunity to photograph the peak."

Questions about CPAWS Calgary/Banff? E-mail info@cpawscalgary.org
Comments on this Web site? E-mail webmaster@cpawscalgary.org