GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Alexis Burkevics, 52, systems engineer, Chatsworth, CA

“I’ve long wanted to photograph the ‘Wave’ formation at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. But it’s permit-access only—they let only 20 people in a day—and I wasn’t able to get a permit online. So one day a friend and I set off for Arizona to try in person, and against all odds my number was drawn from the lottery. We hiked more than 2.5 miles over slick rock and sand hills to reach the Wave, and, once there, we stayed until after dark—I’d brought a red headlamp, to light-paint the wave. Moments later we were surprised by a lightning storm, and ended up being stranded overnight.”

Tech Specs: Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 15mm f/2.8 Canon EF fisheye lens; 25 sec at f/2.8, ISO 3200.