PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Manuel Enrique González Carmona | Forest on Fire

Name: Manuel Enrique González Carmona
Picture title: Forest on Fire
Category: People’s Choice
Nationality: Spain
Occupation:I am not a full-time photographer; I work as a civil servant in urban planning.

Technical information
Camera: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Lens: Hasselblad L1D-20c (28.0 mm f/2.8)
EXIF: f3.5, 1/100 s, ISO 100

Circular polarizer

Manuel Enrique González Carmona says:

The image was taken in the Tintillo River, a tributary of the Odiel River, in the province of Huelva, Spain. One of the river’s unique features is the terracing of its riverbed, known as stromatolites. From an aerial perspective, these formations are visually stunning and often leave viewers wondering what they are seeing. These structures are the result of cyanobacteria activity.

The high concentration of ferric iron in the water gives it a striking red hue, which contrasts beautifully with the green of the pine forests through which the river flows on its way to its confluence with the Odiel River. From a “bird’s-eye view,” the scene resembles a fire with its flames and smoke. Although I had known of the river, its difficult access had kept me from getting close to its source. Equipped with my drone, I saw a perfect opportunity to capture this incredible scene from above.