At Park Lake, the waves were no longer moving water — they were but stands of a hair on a bow, moving across the reeds, like the strings of a violin.

Photographer Cory Zanker revisits a favorite hiking destination, only to find the view obscured by smoke from Western wildfires. He made the most of the situation and found the silver lining.

For Jerad Armijo, photography is soothing, surreal and a fantastic way for him to cope with depression while creating beauty for others to enjoy.

For this photographer of the month, photography is a way to more fully experience life. He doesn’t think of it as hiding behind a lens, removed from life.

We have all been there. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not recognize the crucial need for fresh air. A minimal escape can reset your mentality in a crucial way.

Not only does Matt MacPherson find the light of sunsets and sunrises beautiful and exciting, but he likes spending the time in between doing grueling day hikes without having to get his camera gear out.

During backcountry trips, Alex Spaeth is inspired by landscapes both big and small that make him pause and think how fortunate he is to be there to appreciate fleeting, yet lasting, moments.

Photography provides this photographer a means to capture and absorb some of the beautiful places he has been lucky enough to explore and share those experiences with others.

Photography has pushed Riley Rhodes out of his comfort zone and has helped him with social anxiety. What matter is that I’m happy with the art that I am creating.

January's photo of the month is like something out of a storybook: A giant waterfall flows off of a cliff and into the sea during an epic sunset.

"Nature speaks what is written upon it, and anyone who reads and acknowledges with an open heart will receive the positivity it speaks," writes our photographer of the month.

November's "photo" of the month takes some artistic liberties: alpine larch trees reflected in water paint a picturesque watercolor painting.