Sunrise, Emerald Bay by Summer '07 contender Adrian King.

Having just returned to the city from a back-and-forth weekend excursion to les Hamptons, I am particularly appreciative of nature right now. Born and raised in urban centers, I am not accustomed to enjoying my morning coffee on a back porch surrounded by greenery, or spotting deer (3 of them!) munching on roadside grass on my drive home. Thus, today I have a soft spot in my heart for contender Adrian King's beautiful image of a Californian sunrise.

Firstly, I must admit that until recently I never had a predilection for landscape photography. That is until I started examining these Hot Shot submissions, which have been continuously impressive and have expanded my photographic tastes. Plus, I also saw this great show not too long ago at the Gulf + Western Gallery while in NYU's Tisch building. The show featured agrarian landscapes by Samantha Contis, who is currently enrolled in the M.F.A. photography program at Yale University. So, this new affection for landscapes has been engendered in me recently.

I know that it's easy to compare King's photo to the work of Ansel Adams, but this image reminds me of this Adams one. The curving shape of the water brings up a feeling in me that I can't put my finger on... Or maybe it's that the shape is calming and pleasing to the eye. There's another image that gives me the same feeling, of a freeway that runs parallel to a river that curves similarly, taken by a man I know all too well named Andrew Simkiss.

Anyway, I'm not the only one who put two and two together with Adrian and Ansel. Of Adams' work, our contender says, "I have tried to take inspiration from the master of all Yosemite photographers -- Ansel Adams. Maybe if I live here for another 100 years or so, I'll get one image that Ansel might have approved of!"

Here's a little more about Mr. Adrian King:

I am originally from England but now a US citizen. I have lived in several places in the western United States and I've traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico and the Caribbean -- all the while taking photographs. I have been taking photographs most of my life (my Dad gave me a box Brownie when I was about 10). I have followed all the iterations of technology while never having the budget to splurge on a $5000 camera! I enjoy taking landscape and wildlife photographs, particularly those with a whimsical or unusual twist. I now live in the Lake Tahoe region and I have begun exploring the vast natural areas around me.

Best of luck, Adrian!

P.S. Has anyone ever heard that Muse song, "Time is Running Out"? Because if you haven't gotten the picture yet, your time is running out. One week left, future hot shots. ENTER NOW!