THE CONTEST (Voting deadline: Sunday- click here to vote for Brian Rueb’s photo)
I entered the ‘Canon photography in the parks’ contest before this past summer. I had no thoughts of winning. I entered because it was free, meaning I paid no entry fee. Sure, when I saw the prize was a trip for two to any National or State Park in the continental U.S., — I had my ‘what if’ moment.
What if I won? Where would I go? Which park would I want to see?
Yet, I thought no more of winning this contest than someone thinks about winning the lottery when they buy a ticket. It was fun for a few minutes – to dream – but reality crept back in. I moved on.
Summer came, months passed. I forgot about the contest, completely.
Then, the phone call in October.
The only calls I get at home are from telemarketers. When I was woken from an early fall nap to a voice I didn’t recognize I waited for the sell, so I could hang up, and get back to napping. But it never came.
She mentioned a contest I apparently had entered, and was a finalist in.
It took me several minutes before I remembered even entering a contest. The word ‘finalist’ meant nothing to me. I was sure that being a finalist meant I made it to a round of 500 or 1000. I wasn’t overly excited.
The lady mentioned the paperwork I had to fill out, and requested a high-quality version of my image.
They sure want a lot of stuff for being 1 of a 1000 – I thought as I hung up the phone.
Maybe this was a bigger deal than I thought.
I went to the computer, found the contest page, and actually READ the rules.
Oh. OH MAN.
1 of 10 finalists.
In the entire United States.
Breathe man, breathe.
OK, now freak out.
It’s hard not to focus on the BIG prize.
My chances went from one in many, many thousands, to one in 10. I had to, whether I liked it or not, face the possibility I might win the thing, and take a trip I had only briefly dreamt about when I clicked ‘submit’ six months earlier.
THE IMAGE
The photograph is one I took in Yosemite National Park last winter. Yosemite is full of icons, and has been photographed by every major landscape photographer at one point or another. Finding original compositions is tough. Early in the day I stopped by the Merced River to take a look at El Capitan, which was glowing as it loomed thousands of feet above me on this cold winter morning. I knew I wanted to capture a reflection of El Capitan in the river, but the river was partially frozen. The only way to GET the reflection was to creep out onto the ice.
I said my prayers and started slithering onto the ice. I checked the water depth. If I fell, it wasn’t going to be much past my waist. I wouldn’t be thrilled, but I probably wouldn’t die either. The ice was thin. Every step sent ripples across the river. I was just waiting to hear the crack, and figure out how to hold my camera so it wouldn’t get wet as I made the icy plunge. A few other visitors to the park were actually sitting around, waiting. “We just wanna’ watch you fall in.”
Thankfully, I didn’t, and was able to find a spot in the ice to help frame the reflected El Capitan. Out of all the images I took that day, I looked forward to those the most.
Luckily for me, they turned out.
WHY I WANT TO WIN
I want to win. I’ve been to some amazing places in my life. I’ve seen absolutely awesome sights. My life has been blessed in ways I can’t even comprehend. Yet, since having children eight years ago, my wife and I haven’t really taken a nice trip together. As much as I would like to win this trip for me, mostly I’d like to take her somewhere, for putting up with me, and the camera. She lets me get out a lot for photography, and if for once the camera was able to give her back something, that would be worth it.
I appreciate your vote, and promise to write and photograph, if I win.
Note from Doni: Food for Thought: A News Cafe has enjoyed some wonderful photos on this site by contributor Brian Rueb. Now it’s our turn to express a token of our thanks to Brian by voting here for his photo before Nov. 24. This is the picture that’s already earned him the exclusive company of being one of just 10 finalists in the United States in the Canon Photography in the Park contest. I’ve already voted. (One vote per email address.)
Guess what? As a bonus, those who vote in this contest have the a chance to win a Canon EOS Rebel SXi camera kit. (Winners will be notified by Dec. 10.)
Brian Rueb is a north state writer, photographer and educator. Click here to see more of his photography.
