Attention shutterbugs: If you’ve ever dreamed of living the life of an adventure photographer, your chance has now arrived. This February, the U.K. version of National Geographic Traveler Magazine will send one lucky shooter to Chilean Patagonia to photograph the 2011 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race as it happens, live in the field for up to 10 days in Patagonia near the tip of South America.
The contest asks entrants to submit three image files that capture “a sense of adventure.” It’s open to your interpretation. All images will be judged by race director Stjepan Pavicic, NG Traveler’s art director, Chris Hudson, and veteran Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race photographer Michael Clark. The First Prize winner will receive a free trip to the race and have their images published in Nation Geographic Traveler Magazine.
Through deep fjords, twisted forests, glaciers and mountains, the racers on the 2011 course — including the four-person Team GearJunkie.com — will push nearly non-stop for up to 10 days in an all-out effort to be the first to finish the “toughest and wildest race in the world.” Having been a photographer during last year’s race, I can attest to the unmatched, wild beauty of the Patagonian landscape. I’d wager that there is no better way to see Patagonia than from the belly of the WPER event.
Before you submit anything, make one thing clear: Don’t mistake the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race experience for a vacation. Photographers and media during the event live as nomads, camping, traveling on land and water, and in constant pursuit of the race pack as it winds through hundreds of miles of wilderness. We’ll take planes, boats, automobiles or whatever means of transportation necessary to keep up with the race. Just being there with the media crew, race support and volunteers may well turn out to be the greatest adventure you will ever have. Hope to see you there!
Full contest details available here: www.patagonianexpeditionrace.com/en/competitions.php
—T.C. Worley traveled to Patagonia last winter to serve as GearJunkie.com’s official photographer and reporter in the 2010 WPER event. He is heading back in 2011 for more!
