A black and image of Yosemite Valley captured by fine art photographer Cheyne Walls has recently been recognized by the prestigious Memorial Maria Luisa International Mountain and Nature Photo Contest. Wall’s image “Yosemite Valley” placed first in the category of Mountain Landscape and, of the fifteen categories, was the only American to take top honors.
The annual competition, headquartered in Asturias, Spain, received over 16,000 entries submitted by professional photographers from 81 countries. Walls’ photo will be published into a commemorative book along with the other category winners and honorable mentions. An exhibit of the winners is also in the works with plans to be displayed throughout Europe. Walls will be attending the exclusive award ceremony in May at the historic La Reconquista Hotel in Spain.
“To be recognized alongside such distinguished and talented professional photographers is truly an honor,” said Walls.
“Yosemite Valley” was captured during a rain storm in late autumn 2016 using an ALPA A-Series camera with an IQ Phase One digital back. “I almost missed this shot,” shared Walls. “I was still removing the waterproof covering from my camera when the clouds parted and the sunbeams broke through. Luckily, I was able to click the shutter before the light on the valley disappeared.”
This piece, along with other select photographs, will be on display this summer at the Festival of Arts Fine Art show in Laguna Beach, California. Walls was selected as one of the 140 artists to display his works at the world-renowned art show during its 85th anniversary in 2017.
