'Bear Essentials' is just enough to win photo contest

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Master Sgt. Raymond Nelson, 819th RED HORSE Squadron airfields NCO in charge, was recently named the 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Quarterly Amateur Photo Contest winner. His submission 'Bear Essentials' featured a grizzly bear overlooking a river and encompassed last quarter's theme 'Animals.'

Nelson, who has been in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 20 years, was both excited and surprised to win the contest.

"Photography is a big hobby for me," Nelson said. "So to win this contest is really exciting because I thought there were some really nice entries."

Nelson fell in love with photography during a temporary duty to Isaly in the mid' 90s. Nelson's winning photograph of a bear looking at its reflection was taken in early spring 2012 in Yellowstone National Park.

"I thought the reflection was unique for the situation," Nelson said. "The water was still, and I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate it into the picture."

Nelson plans to continue improving his photography skills now and after his Air Force tenure.

"I've only recently started investing in photography," Nelson said. "For years I used a point and shoot camera. I'm interested primarily in landscape photography but I also do portrait and family photos for friends. After I retire from the military, I plan on pursuing photography as a career."

Along with a certificate and coin for a first place entry, Nelson's winning photograph will remain on display on the Official Malmstrom Air Force Base Facebook website.

This quarter's competition theme is "Black and White." The Public Affairs office will be accepting submission until March 1. Submissions can be emailed to the Public Affairs office at 341mwpa@us.af.mil for individual photo evaluation. All entries should include name, rank, phone number, and photo title and description. The contest is open to all active-duty members stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, their dependents, base civilians and retirees. Photos must be sized to 5x7 and in JPEG file format at 300 dpi. Before entering a photo, be sure to read the competition rules, which can be found on the Official MAFB Facebook site at www.facebook.com/MalmstromAirForceBase.

For more information about the quarterly photo contest, call the Public Affairs office at 731-4050.