http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/photocontest/winners/2011

Exciting news! Earlier this week Autumn was announced as a Finalist in National Geographic’s “Expeditions Moments” photo contest.

Anyone who attended a National Geographic Expedition is allowed to submit a photo to the contest for one year from the date of their trip. So, Autumn was able to enter into the “Moments” photo contest held in late 2010 as well as this 2011 contest. And with the fantastic photos she entered, she was named as a contest Finalist not once, but twice!

This time around, Autumn competed against more than 550 entries. From this pool, only 18 were selected as winners or finalists. Take a look at her winning photo:

This photo was taken on day 7 of her 11 day journey through Morocco with National Geographic. That day, Autumn’s group traveled into the Sarah dessert for a taste of authentic Berber culture. This photo was taken at sunset, as the group rode camel-back to the tent camp where they would sleep for the night. Pictured in the photo is one of group’s camel guides.

Autumn selected this photo because its strength in both composition and emotional connection. The contrast of the man’s blue clothing against the orange sand creates visual appeal, while the image of a lone man walking at sunset conveys a strong sense of man connecting with nature.

In addition to her contest winner, Autumn took some additional shots of the Berber guides in the desert.

For more photos and reactions from Autumn’s Morocco trip, see our previous blog post on her trip.

---