TITLE: Misty Rivals

Photographed in the early morning hours at Chinitna Bay, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, this image captures two sub-adult brown bears engaged in playful sparring as they wait for the salmon run to begin. A dense marine fog had settled over the tidal flats, dissolving the horizon and reducing the world to a single luminous field of grey — the perfect, unplanned backdrop for a minimalist composition. The bears, their fur heavy and wet from the shallows, rear up facing each other with forepaws raised, water cascading in silver threads between them. Rendered in black and white, the image strips away the literal and reaches for the essential — two young animals, alive with energy and curiosity, suspended in the infinite quiet of the Alaskan wilderness. The vast negative space surrounding them speaks not to emptiness, but to the sheer scale and indifference of the wild world they inhabit. It is a portrait of youth, play, and impermanence, caught in a fraction of a second that will never exist again.

AUTHOR: Samir Kamat (United States)

An engineer by training with a PhD in Finance, Samir's casual interest in photography blossomed into a passion for photographing wildlife. Samir has published books of his photographs to raise awareness and money for their nonprofit, Every Child Counts. Over the years, Samir has also been recognized for his work in international photo contests like Monochrome Awards and Share the View. His work is also showcased by the North American Photography Association.

As a child, I was captivated by David Attenborough's "The Living Planet," which sparked a lifelong fascination with nature and wildlife. This groundbreaking series, part of Attenborough's influential Life trilogy, explored the intricate adaptations of living things to their environment, setting a new standard for wildlife documentaries and inspiring millions of viewers like me.

For years, I dreamed of going on a safari, and in 2017, that dream became a reality thanks to my wife's, Bindu's, efforts. Armed with my Nikon D3500 and kit lens, I took hundreds of photos during that trip, which we compiled into a short picture book. This experience was transformative, igniting my passion for wildlife and bird photography. Since then, I've documented my journey in photo books each year, continually refining my skills in pursuit of the perfect shot.