"We do not see nature with our eyes,
but with our understandings and our heart."
-- William Hazlitt
William Hazlitt was a 19th-century political essayist, not a photographer, but his words speak to the craft of taking pictures. “Understanding” can be seen as technique; “heart” is what guides a photographer's eyes.
The two combined can convert a single frame into a way of knowing the world. If science is the knowledge of nature, photography can peel back the layers. “If we learn to look deeply enough,” says photographer-writer Brenda Tharp, “we can photograph what makes a tree a tree.”
Nature is on the move. Sunset edges toward twilight. The lioness stalks too close for comfort. When you press the shutter, you preserve the moment for later reflection and deeper knowing.
Have you captured nature in a fleeting moment? Which of your images convey your knowledge of the natural world? Will you share them with us?
Today Quest introduces the eighth Nature & Eye photo contest.
We have revamped, retooled and reinvigorated Nature & Eye with more categories and prizes, new partners, a new venue and plans for a photographic festival. Our partner, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla, will host the daylong Nature & Eye Reveal event, displaying the winning photographs throughout its galleries.
In all, 33 winning photographs will be on view, including Best of Show, which will win a Giga Vue Pro 60, a portable device with a 60GB hard drive that stores and displays photos. Six first-place winners will receive either $200 gift certificates to George's Camera or other prizes, including the portable Delkin DVD BurnAWay, waterproof binoculars or Delkin 4GB memory card. Second prize for six winners is a three-month Museum of Contemporary Art membership. Twenty honorable mentions will also be selected.
Throughout the day, contest participants will be able to partake in workshops, displays and demonstrations by nationally recognized photographers, Union-Tribune photographers and our partners George's Camera and Delkin Devices. Food will be in the inspired hands of Giuseppe Restaurants and Fine Catering.
The May 6 festival promises to be an occasion for all Nature & Eye participants to add to their appreciation of the natural world and the art of capturing it.
To inspire you, we've asked five Union-Tribune photographers to tell us about some of their favorite images – a representation is on this page – and give readers tips and insight into various aspects of nature photography. This feature, Visual Cues, begins today on F3 and will continue weekly throughout March. That page also contains Nature & Eye contest rules and deadline information.
We've made it as simple as possible. There is no entry fee, and we will accept both digital and film photographs. You may send us prints or images on CDs. In particular we hope to attract youthful photographers; a category is devoted to those under age 18.
Our judges are eager, our prizes ready, our enthusiasm running high. It's your turn to act. Please decide now to send us your interpretations of our beautiful natural world.
