With his dramatic photo titled “Preparing for winter,” we would like to congratulate Angel Adaro, the winner of the grand prize in the Third Patagonia Photo Contest in addition to first place in the Travel & Culture category.

 

This year’s contest, which included more than 2200 entries from participants from around the world, had among its twelve winners: six photographers from Chile, two photographers from Argentina, two photographers from Brazil, and one each from Belgium and the United Kingdom.

 

Adaro, 45, who lives in El Chaltén, Argentina, tells Patagon Journal he stumbled upon his spectacular top photo by chance. "I always have my camera with me, and on a trip from El Chaltén to Calafate I found myself in front of this scene. Although I was in a hurry, I dedicated easily at least an hour to getting this shot. It goes without saying that I arrived late to my meeting."

 

Originally from Choele Choel (population 10,971, located in the Argentine province of Río Negro), about 18 years ago he moved to El Chaltén where he has worked the past 16 years for the travel company Chaltén Travel. For more than two decades, Adaro has pursued photography as a hobby. At first, he was focused mostly on social events like weddings and birthdays, but during the past five years he has been dedicated foremost to photographing landscapes. “I think it’s a great way to stay grounded with the land and disconnect. I also like very much being able to transmit something powerful with my images.”

 

“El Chaltén has very special places; I feel fortunate to live here. The skies of Patagonia are extraordinary,” says Adaro, who is also currently working on, together with a colleague, a photography book about Lago Argentino and its surrounding natural areas.

 

As grand prize winner of the contest, Adaro will receive a trip for 3 days and 2 nights with Chile Nativo to go trekking in winter in Torres del Paine National Park. He will also receive 2 nights for 2 persons at Hotel Remota in nearby Puerto Natales, and a trip for 2 on the Navimag cruise ship, Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales or Puerto Natales - Puerto Montt. 

 

As first prize winner in the Travel & Culture category, Angel also has won a gift certificate of 150,000 Chilean pesos for use in the Patagonia stores of Chile. 

 
All of the winning photos in the contest will be printed for display at exhibitions in Santiago and other cities (stay tuned for more info). Here are the rest of the winning photos: