Of the thousands of photos that flash across my monitor each year, one always stands out. Last year it was Grant Gunderson’s star-trail shot, which appeared on our September 2008 cover. This year it’s this shot by Kevin Winzeler. A lot of images come in technically perfect. The focus, composition, color, and action are all there. But the truly great shots make me want to be there—right now. This shot was captured on a February afternoon after a big storm at Snowbasin, Utah. The clouds started to roll in and cast a glow, backlighting this 25-foot north-facing cliff. Winzeler and athlete Jared Allen nailed it on their first go. —Mark Lesh, art director
Jared Allen at Snowbasin, Utah, by Kevin Winzeler. Canon EOS 5D MDKII, 1/640, f/10, ISO 500. Lens: EF 15mm, f/2.8 fisheye.
