First Photo Contest Winner Announced
The first winner of the Adventure Collection’s Adventures of a Lifetime photo competition has been selected! Drew Notestine’s photo of snow-capped peaks in Patagonia was chosen from among more than 100 entries as our July winner. Notestine’s grand prize is a trip for two to the Galapagos with Lindblad Expeditions. After his photo was chosen, I talked with Notestine about his prize-winning shot and his passion for adventure travel.
A native of Colorado who lives in Denver and works as a partner in a real estate investment firm, Notestine says he spends as much time as possible outdoors. Road and mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and travel are all favorite hobbies. He also enjoys amateur photography, architecture, and “working on the list of never ending home-improvement projects” at his historic home.
After his photo was chosen, I talked with Notestine about his prize-winning photo and his passion for adventure travel.
Can you describe the situation – location, month, time of day, and kind of camera – of your spectacular photo?
I was with a group touring Parque Nacional Los Glaciares – a national park in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina. The photo was taken mid-day in late March and the camera used was my Sony Cyber-shot digital camera. This is a pretty basic camera but it takes great shots and is compact and easy to pack.
What was your goal in setting up this shot?
My goal was to capture a photograph of the awe-inspiring scenery in Patagonia with an image that would allow me to relive this incredible travel experience for years to come.
Do you always take photos when you travel?
I almost always have my camera with me when I travel abroad but I am not very diligent about organizing my photographs when I get home.
What are some other destinations that you have found especially good for photography?
When I returned home from a trip through the region of Cinque Terre in Italy all my photographs were picture perfect. However, I should probably credit the magnificent Italian coastline for the spectacular images and not the photographer (me). With a backdrop like that I don’t think you could take a bad picture even if you tried.
Was this your first trip to Patagonia?
Yes – this was my first and only trip to the Patagonia region. However, I have made other trips (both before and after my trip to Patagonia) to other parts of Argentina.
How long were you there and where did you visit?
I stayed in Patagonia for only 3 or 4 days with the town of El Calafate serving as my “base camp” as I explored nearby Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.
What was it that you especially liked or found especially moving about Patagonia?
A mystical feeling that I was just about at the end of the earth in the vast landscape of southern Patagonia.
What other adventurous trips have you taken?
I have experienced lots of great trips throughout the world but I would have to say that Vietnam, Panama, and Costa Rica rank as my top three adventure destinations.
Soon you’ll be going to Galapagos with your Adventure Collection prize. Are you excited about that trip?
Oh yes! I’m especially excited about the fact that the Galapagos Islands are one of the few places in the world that remain relatively untouched by human exploitation. I’ve never been to the Galapagos and I think this will truly be a trip of a lifetime.”
What other places are on your must-visit list?
India is the next country on my “must-see” list. I am not sure when I will get there but I hope someday soon.
What’s the pleasure and purpose of adventure travel to you?
For me, the answer is in the question — adventure and travel.
If Drew Notestine’s example inspires you to enter your own photo in the Adventure Collection’s Adventures of a Lifetime photo contest, click here.
