The winners of the 2011 Traveler Photo Contest were recently announced. The contest generated almost 13,000 entries by photographers from around the world. Ben Canales’ photograph titled Star Gazing at Crater Lake took home the grand prize. Ben put together the following “making of” video so we can see how he set up his shot.

Here on my first time visit to Crater Lake National Park, I wanted to leave with an image that I could look back on and remember the experience. I was with a friend taking pictures also, and before I took the picture, I called over to him and said, “Hey man, watch this!” With a laugh, I spread my arms out and fell backwards into the snow. A second later, the camera timer clicked the shutter and the long exposure began. After the shutter clicked back closed, I stayed on the ground for a good while staring up mesmerized by all the sparkling stars overhead. – Ben Canales

You can view the rest of the winning photographs from the 2011 Traveler contest HERE

Link: www.thestartrail.com

Link: BenCanales’ Vimeo profile

[via National Geographic]