Photographer: Sean Fitzgerald, Dallas, Texas Image Title: Trees and Shadows Best in Category: Landscape   BEST IN SHOW   Technical Details: Canon EOS-1n RS, Canon 600mm f/4 lens, 1.4x teleconverter, Gitzo tripod, Fuji Velvia film, 1/60 second at f/5.6 Location: Namib Desert, Namibia Description: The Namib Desert is an ocean of massive sand dunes. At dusk and dawn, the dunes transition through an array of colorful tones as the sun sets, including warm oranges and bluish shadows. I saw this patch of trees in the middle of a large plain near these dunes, but if I had shot them with a normal or wide lens, the dunes would have been miniscule in the background. Instead, I chose my longest lens to compress the trees against the dunes and to simplify the image into bands of light and shadow. The trees shimmer like a mirage, helped both by the telephoto lens and heat from the 100-degree day. The image is printed to watercolor paper.   I strive for images that are simple, graphic, evocative, and surreal. I believe you should judge images with your heart; technique is just a tool, not the ultimate goal. I find myself repeatedly drawn to nature and wildlife and the impact of man on both.   My images have been displayed at various galleries and museums and in various publications such as PhotoMedia, Professional Photographer, Outdoor Photographer, The New York Times, and Audubon Nature Calendars. With a partner, I have finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Valley Land Fund Wildlife Photo Contest (www.valleylandfund.com). On my own, I won the 2001 Coastal Bend Wildlife Photography contest (www.wildlifephotocontest.com). A 2001 issue of Professional Photographer magazine featured me as their monthly cover artist. At the 2001 Fotofusion Photography Festival, I was chosen by Art Wolfe to receive the festival's Rising Star Photographer Award. You can see more of my images on my web site.   Sean Fitzgerald Sean Fitzgerald Photography, Inc. Phone: 214-213-4193 E-mail: seanfitzgerald@earthlink.net Web: www.seanfitzgerald.com   Return to 2003 Galleries | Return to 2003 Landscape Gallery     Home | Contact Us | Copyright