Top Pics: 2022 Westways Photo Contest winners

As usual, good timing—and a little luck—played a part for the winners of the ninth annual Westways Photo Contest. One other common element: patience. Without it, contestants might not have captured lightning bolts across the sky, a roaming bison, a shooting star, or any of the other amazing images that appear on these pages.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and kudos to those whose patience reaped a reward.

The winning photos will be shown starting in mid-November at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Admission fee is donation-based, “pay what you wish.”

“Thunderstorms are not a common sight in Southern California, so when the weather forecast showed ‘severe thunderstorms,’ I knew I had a short window to get out and capture this natural phenomenon.

When I arrived at the San Clemente Pier around 5 p.m. on this October 2021 evening, I felt as if I was in the eye of the storm; the weather was calm and I could see lightning in all directions. I happened to be right in the middle of a 360-degree show.

I set up my tripod, framed the pier, and fired away. Shortly after taking this photo at around 7:15, I felt the hair on my head and arms start to stand up—which I took as my sign to leave!”

“The sign clearly says to stay on the path, but this bison has earned the right to tread where it wants. Knowing where to step and how to navigate this terrain enables this magical beast to safely move around Yellowstone National Park’s boiling-hot Grand Prismatic Spring.

To capture this September 2021 image, I had to fully stretch my arms above my head to shoot over the people standing at the edge of the lookout. I had previously seen the Grand Prismatic in 2018 from a chartered plane, but this was my first time ‘on the ground’ within the park.

Yellowstone can be overwhelming with the volume of people, but you can often find solitude by taking a short walk away from the crowds or by rising early.”

“On my first visit to White Pocket at Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, I felt as if I were on a new planet. I’d always wanted to go back to capture the geological mystery and the stars in the night sky.

When I was finally able to return this past June, clouds made it difficult to capture the Milky Way. But the next day’s sunset was really beautiful, so I took this picture of a brain-like rock. Someday, I hope to return to take a picture of the Milky Way over White Pocket.”

“As my camping friends slept on a moonless and cloudless early-May morning in Utah’s Zion National Park, I ventured out to find a spot near the Watchman Campground to shoot the sky—a place with no trees, buildings, or light pollution. The Milky Way had risen and aligned parallel to the ridge of the iconic Watchman Peak.

Ten minutes into my shoot, a meteor appeared unexpectedly. My jaw dropped and I screamed, silently, in my heart, when I realized the meteor would leave a long, bright trail in the frame while the shutter was wide open for a 25-second exposure.”

“During the pandemic, I decided to travel every year to somewhere new in this beautiful country. This image is from what I call my ‘Chasing Waterfalls’ trip to West Virginia in September 2021. I visited almost 25 waterfalls in the state. Some were magnificent, others just a trickle. It was very exciting when I came across one that was raging; there is nothing more beautiful to me than cascading water.

Brush Creek Falls is near Brush Creek Preserve. The sound of the falls grew louder as I traveled down the designated path to the creek, where I found an area that provided good support for me and my tripod.

Once the light was right, I took several long exposures to capture the mood and movement of the water. This is the best of the bunch.” 

“I had been to Mammoth Mountain many times before, but my friends said I should check out the numerous hot springs hiking trails in the area. A combination of driving and hiking last March led to this outcropping that overlooks the mountain’s grandeur.

I was busy taking a picture of the moonrise when I turned around and was immediately struck by the sheer majesty and magic of nature, which never ceases to amaze.”

“Our little family of 3 celebrated our son’s second birthday at Glacier National Park in Montana. We stayed in the park for 3 days at Apgar Village, an excellent location to observe the northern lights (aurora borealis).

We couldn’t believe it when we saw the dancing aurora near the northern horizon, and we feel so blessed to have had this experience. This 33-minute exposure captures star trails and all the wonderful shades of the majestic aurora borealis.”

“On a Labor Day weekend trip in 2021, we summited Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert, on foot. The next day, we decided to explore a different kind of beauty by car without the huffing and puffing. Mount Evans is 1 of Colorado’s 2 ‘fourteeners’ whose peak is accessible by car.

Near the top, we came upon herds of mountain goats, including this mother-and-son display of love, with the Rocky Mountains in the background. I consider myself lucky to have captured this moment.”

“The Victoria Beach Pirate Tower is one of the most unique sights along the Orange County coast. Hidden within the cliffside in Laguna Beach, it looks like something you might see at Disneyland.

When I first saw images of this unique structure, I knew that I needed to see it and photograph it for myself—this photo is from November 2021.

The 60-foot tower actually has nothing to do with pirates. Built in 1926, it served as a private staircase that provided direct beach access from a clifftop home. The tower is now locked.”

“In January, I spent a very special day exploring Humboldt County, where I visited Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka.

I waited patiently for approximately an hour until I saw this flamingo in just the right position. I took several images of these glorious salmon-colored beauties, but I like this close-up in particular. The bird’s feathers and color are absolutely gorgeous.”

“A sea of gorgeous white gypsum sand dunes, White Sands National Park in New Mexico is one of the most unique beauties in the United States.

Visiting the park in December 2021 felt like entering another world. I hoped to capture an image that echoed the ease with which one can get lost in the beauty of the never-ending dunes.”

“During an early-morning walk last February, I saw this American white pelican diving for something at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys. It caught what appeared to be a suckermouth catfish.

I was able to capture this image before the catfish was devoured whole—the entire sequence took less than a minute.”

“One of my bucket-list items was to photograph the aurora borealis, and I decided to fly to Fairbanks, Alaska, in March to fulfill this dream.

I was so lucky to have the significant solar flare erupt from the sun on the first chilly night of my aurora-chasing tour. No clouds in the sky, just Lady Aurora dancing all night long.”

“One of my favorite birds is the American white pelican. They winter in San Diego, and many of them stay at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, near where I live. As an amateur photographer, I often try to get photos with reflections in them.

When I saw this pelican, I wanted to capture the patterns and the reflection it was creating. This November 2021 shot makes me think of a pelican painting on water.”

First prize is 4 nights’ stay for 2 in a Makai Ocean room at Hilton Waikoloa Village; round-trip coach air travel for 2 to Hawai‘i Island on Alaska Airlines; 2 tickets for a Kohala Waterfalls Adventure tour from Hawaii Forest & Trail; a courtesy week pass from The Parking Spot; a 5-day car rental on Hawai‘i Island from Hertz; dinner for 2 at Merriman’s Waimea; a $50 gift certificate from Kai Eats + Drinks in Kailua-Kona; a $50 gas card from Aloha Petroleum; and a 1-year Automobile Club of Southern California membership with Classic benefits.

Second prize is round-trip coach air travel for 2 to Denver on Alaska Airlines; 3 nights’ stay for 2 at the winner’s choice of local Hyatt properties; dinner for 2 at Rioja; dinner for 2 at Mercantile; a $50 gift card to the Denver Milk Market food hall and admission for 2 to some of Denver’s top attractions from VISIT DENVER; a 1-week airport parking pass; and a 1-year Auto Club membership with Classic benefits.

Third prize is 3 nights’ stay for 2 at Lakehouse Hotel and Resort in San Marcos with a dinner for 2 at The Grill and a pontoon boat rental; a custom guided Pedego Electric Bike tour for 2 from Pedego La Jolla; zoo admission and an Inside Look tour for 2 at the San Diego Zoo; a $100 gift card to Little Frenchie; a 1-year individual membership at the Museum of Photographic Arts; a 1-week airport parking pass; and a 1-year Auto Club membership with Classic benefits.

Fourth prize is 2 nights’ stay for 2 at the AAA Four Diamond Santa Barbara Inn with daily breakfast at Convivo; a Wine Lovers Tour for 2 from Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours Inc.; a private cruise for up to 6 from Celebration Cruises; a $150 gift card for dinner at The Lark; lunch for 2 at Bettina; 2 guest passes to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History; 2 guest passes to the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf; 2 general admission tickets to MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation; a 1-week airport parking pass; and a 1-year Auto Club membership with Classic benefits.

Fifth prize is 2 nights’ stay for 2 in a suite at the AAA Four Diamond Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica with daily breakfast at FIG; dinner for 2 at The Lobster; a guided bike tour for 2 from The Bike Center; brunch for 2 at Lunetta All Day; a 1-week airport parking pass; and a 1-year Auto Club membership with Classic benefits.

Honorable-mention winners each receive 2 admission tickets to Sesame Place San Diego; 4 admission tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach; a 1-year individual membership at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego; an Ultimate Movie Pack from Regal; and a 1-year Auto Club of Southern California membership with Classic benefits. Honorable mentions are presented in no particular order.

Here are things that the judges look for—and don’t look for—when they rule on the entries. Keep these tips in mind when you shoot. The 10th annual Westways Photo Contest will be here before you know it.

• Mind the sun. Don’t let the sun appear as a blob of light. Avoid sun spots in other areas of the photo.
• Mind the horizon. Unless there’s an obvious artistic reason, horizons should be flat. A tripod is your friend.
• Mind your editing. Limit digital adjustments to color correction. Image retouching and cloning are no-nos.
• Mind your settings. Adjust your cellphone to make large images and be sure that the date isn't printed on the photo.