While on a two-month climbing trip in Europe, Marty Blumen noticed a sport climber ascending a route on a cliff face in Céüse, France. After switching lenses, he shot a series of frames to capture an image called Rim Lit Climber, the Grand Prize winner of the 2008 Banff Mountain Photography Competition.
”All of the elements came together — the puff of chalk, the concentration of the climber, and the spectacular lighting,” says Blumen. “The photo communicates the individual nature of a gregarious sport. The great thing is that no one knows who the climber is. She is the ‘unknown climber’, the one who can represent us all.”
Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Blumen has travelled extensively and currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where he is actively involved with the New Zealand Alpine Club in promoting outdoor photography through talks and workshops. His photos have appeared in publications including National Geographic, Outside, and Crux.
Blumen’s image topped a collection of more than 1,900 photographs from 20 countries submitted to the 13th annual competition. This year’s jury included award-winning photographer Alec Pytlowany and photographer/graphic designer Conrad Habing. In addition to the Grand Prize, winners in five subject categories and one regional category were chosen, with another ten photographs receiving special mention.
Grand Prize
Marty Blumen of Auckland, New Zealand, was awarded the Grand Prize for his image Rim Lit Climber. Blumen wins $1000 CDN plus prizes from competition sponsors.
Category Prizes
The following photographers won category prizes and will each receive $500 CDN plus prizes from competition sponsors:
- Best Photo — Mountain Adventure: Forever Reaching, Brandon Hauser, Juneau, Alaska
- Best Photo — Mountain Culture: Mount Sedgewick Summit Log, Eric Welscher-Bilodeau, Gibsons, B.C.
- Best Photo — Mountain Environment: Trampled Underfoot, Darwin Wiggett, Cochrane, Alberta
- Best Photo — Mountain Flora and Fauna: Back Off, Jim Mitchell, Dallas, Texas
- Best Photo — Mountain Landscape: November Moon, Ryan Bavin, Invermere, B.C.
Yellowstone To Yukon Region Prize
Scott Dimond of Calgary, Alberta, was awarded $500 CDN for the best overall photograph from the Yellowstone to Yukon Region for his photo Sunrise at Glory Hole. This prize was sponsored by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
Special Mentions
In addition, each of the following photographers received Special Mentions:
- Peter Dettling of Canmore, Alberta, for Gentle Touch
- Jeremy Frost of Easton, Connecticut, for First View of Spring
- Douglas Goodin of Boulder, Colorado, for Ice Waves
- Paul Horsley of Edmonton, Alberta, for Kootenay Burn
- Randall Levensaler of Boulder, Colorado, for Bald Rock
- Tom Loughlin of Crested Butte, Colorado, for All That Dies
- René Pirolt of Evergreen, Colorado, for The North Window and Turret Arch
- Ryan Pyle of Shanghai, China, for A Monk Prays at Minya Konka Monastery
- Linda Sauer of Sacramento, California, for Cottonwood Leaves and Reflection
- Valerie Sauers of Elma, New York, for Bouldering in Central Park
The winning images will be displayed at The Banff Centre from October 2008 to September 2009 and will also be on display at select locations in North America and abroad.
Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre promotes understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain places by creating opportunities for people to share — and find inspiration in — mountain experiences, ideas, and challenges.
—30 —