honorable mention
Andrew Hertel united states
Photo © Andrew Hertel
title
Burrowing Owl
What draws Andrew to photography is not simply the pursuit of a beautiful image, but the experience of being present in the environment. He describes his process as one of slowing down, listening, and letting the landscape reveal itself. This approach allows him to find balance and form in scenes that might otherwise feel chaotic, creating photographs that invite viewers into the same sense of stillness he felt at the time of capture.
Though his fine art work is exclusively black and white, Andrew embraces both color and monochrome when teaching. He leads workshops in places such as Death Valley, the Eastern Sierra, and Kyrgyzstan, blending photography with adventure and cultural exploration. His goal as both artist and educator is to help others not only improve their craft, but also to connect more deeply with the landscapes around them.
Andrew’s work has been exhibited in galleries and juried shows, collected by private individuals, and published in print and online media. Beyond technical mastery, what sets his work apart is its emotional resonance. Viewers often remark that his images make them feel something, a reflection of his belief that the strongest photographs are not just seen, but experienced.
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entry description
For a couple weeks in the winter of 2020, this cute little burrowing owl was one of the most photographed birds in San Diego. He made is home along a walkway that hundreds of people walk by every day, luckily he blended in well enough and most people just walked right by and left him alone.about the photographer
Andrew Hertel is a fine art black and white photographer based in San Diego, California. His work is deeply rooted in a connection with the natural world, where he seeks out moments of solitude, quiet strength, and fleeting beauty. From the shifting sands of Death Valley to the snow-laden trees of Yosemite, Hertel’s photographs are shaped by time spent immersed in the landscape, often in conditions that drive most people indoors.What draws Andrew to photography is not simply the pursuit of a beautiful image, but the experience of being present in the environment. He describes his process as one of slowing down, listening, and letting the landscape reveal itself. This approach allows him to find balance and form in scenes that might otherwise feel chaotic, creating photographs that invite viewers into the same sense of stillness he felt at the time of capture.
Though his fine art work is exclusively black and white, Andrew embraces both color and monochrome when teaching. He leads workshops in places such as Death Valley, the Eastern Sierra, and Kyrgyzstan, blending photography with adventure and cultural exploration. His goal as both artist and educator is to help others not only improve their craft, but also to connect more deeply with the landscapes around them.
Andrew’s work has been exhibited in galleries and juried shows, collected by private individuals, and published in print and online media. Beyond technical mastery, what sets his work apart is its emotional resonance. Viewers often remark that his images make them feel something, a reflection of his belief that the strongest photographs are not just seen, but experienced.
back to gallery
