Finding Inspiration In Our National Parks Assignment Winner

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service this year, we recently asked photographers to share their best image taken in a national park and to tell us what about the park inspires them. Congratulations to Michel Hersen for winning the Finding Inspiration In Our National Parks Assignment with his image, "Autumn In Denali."

“This photograph of fall color and the Alaska Range was taken on August 28, 2012 at 1:55 p.m., the day after a snowfall in Denali National Park,” said Hersen. “Fall comes early in Denali, with vibrant color at its peak the last week of August. I shot this scene from the Park Road, looking south to the Alaska Range just a short distance from the Visitor Center. My composition is based on principles espoused by the mid 19th century Hudson River School painters. My wife and I are admirers of their work and collect them. The contrast between the colorful foreground and the snow-covered mountains and cloudy sky provided a rich palette.

Equipment & Settings: Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm zoom lens at 135mm, 1/8th sec., f/22, ISO 100, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Gitzo Tripod and Arca-Swiss Head.

See more of Michel Hersen’s work at photographybymichel.squarespace.com.

Each week, Outdoor Photographer features a new photo assignment to inspire photographers to get out and expand their creativity. Check out our current photography assignment and enter your best shots, and find inspiration from previous assignments here. Past assignment winners can be viewed on the OP Blog here.