Best Traveler Magazine Photos of 2011
Senior Photo Editor Dan Westergren picks the top Traveler magazine photos of 2011.
Catherine Karnow
Courting Vienna
Spanish Riding School
NOV/DEC ISSUE
Lipizzan stallions rehearse at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, the world’s oldest school of classical horsemanship, under the direction of bowler-hatted Ernst Bachinger.
We were worried when Catherine went on this shoot, because we were told that the horses were going to be on vacation. But the important part of the photo ended up not being the horses, but the performance hall and riding master. The opulence of the room contrasted with the sandy floor makes this such a unique shot. — Senior Photo Editor Dan Westergren
Aaron Huey
Landscapes of My Father
Low Tide in Schooner Cove
MARCH ISSUE
As day ebbs and tides recede, amethyst-and-coral-hued sea stars cling to a rock in wave-washed Schooner Cove (British Columbia), composing their very own watercolor.
What’s striking about this photo is the contrast of the colorful starfish with the gloominess of the place. Because it was raining and cloudy, the starfish become even more apparent. It wouldn’t look like this on a sunny day. — Senior Photo Dan Westergren
Chris Bickford
Hawaii, Lost and Found
Waipio Valley
SEPTEMBER ISSUE
Waipio Valley’s black-sand beach has long been a place of refuge and healing for native Hawaiians.
This photo was pure serendipity. The photographer went to this beach, not knowing what he was going to find there, and he stumbled upon this scene. I really like the soft diffused light shining through the towel making it look like angel wings. — Dan Westergren
Alexandra Avakian
Egypt’s New Day
Traditional Felucca Boats
SEPTEMBER ISSUE
Sail unfurled, a traditional felucca boat approaches a motor launch along the Nile River. “Empty feluccas were moored in large flotillas,” says author Carl Hoffman.
Sometimes a photo is all about timing. Because it’s early morning, there’s little movement in the water and so the double image, the reflection of the boat, is almost perfect. Alexandra had to be one of the first ones out to get this shot. — Dan Westergren
Dmitri Alexander
Star Trek: Yosemite to the Moon
Half Dome
JULY/AUGUST ISSUE
The 211-mile John Muir Trail starts near the base of Half Dome in the Yosemite Valley.
What I love about this photo is that it was taken at night, but it looks like daytime. With an extra long exposure the moon can create a photograph that looks like it was lit by the sun. — Dan Westergren
Aaron Huey
A Light on the Croatian Coast
Struga Lighthouse
MAY/JUNE ISSUE
Struga lighthouse towers over 17-square-mile Lastovo Island. “It’s out there all alone on the southern side of the island,” says writer Paul Kvinta, “so serene and at peace with itself.”
In this photo I like merging of the pastel colors with the pale water. There was no direct light so these colors could come through. — Dan Westergren
Brooks Walker
Life Atop a Cauldron
Krafla Caldera
APRIL ISSUE
Visitors create their own heat a thermal zone at the Krafla caldera in northern Iceland. Lava flow from the 1980s (upper left) still mars the landscape.
These volcanic areas are typically crawling with tourists, but Brooks was able to wait to incorporate people in an interesting way. By adding people it makes you think this would be a cool place to sit. — Dan Westergren
Chris Rainier
The Art of the Deal
Snake Charmer
JAN/FEB ISSUE
It takes two: A snake charmer shows off his handling skills with a pair of serpents.
Chris used supplemental lighting in order to add color to the subject and make it stand out from the background. This is a very photographed place, but he gave it a little extra something by bringing his own light source. — Dan Westergren
Frans Lanting
Your Own Private Africa
Namibia Dunes
MARCH ISSUE
“One of the wildest rides of my life was driving the dunes on the coast of Namibia,” says writer Chris Eckstrom , who journeyed through this 10,000-square-mile desert wilderness. The former “prohibited zone” is now a national park with controlled visitation.
I love this photo because it feels like a long way down the dune. The composition with truck on the right side and the water on the left, emphasizes the steepness. It’s a really precarious place and Frans was able to capture that in this shot. — Senior Photo Editor, Dan Westergren
Susan Seubert
It’s a Wonderful Life
Barbados Surf Camp
JAN/FEB ISSUE
Riding high: Newbies practice basic surfing positions–and attempt some hotdogging–at Zed’s Surfing Adventures, a surf school on Barbados’s south coast.
Despite this photo’s symmetrical composition, which is usually considered not the best, the photo is successful. The single guys standing gives the picture a feeling of curiosity. Readers will look and wonder, “what the heck is going on?” It’s a photo that asks a visual question and answers it at the same time. — Dan Westergren
Give or get a 1-year subscription to Traveler magazine: 8 issues for only $10.
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
Travel
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital