2007 Runner-up
Ian Baguskas—Sansaram

Editorial Statement
For his project Sansaram, Korean for “mountain people,” Ian Baguskas photographed hikers in various locations in South Korea, from the mountains north of Seoul to locations in the south of the country. A combination of landscapes and portraits, his project hones in on the details of this national pastime, which appears to be a popular form of exercise for the advanced in age.

Jagged mountainous landscapes, bathed in brilliant sunlight, provide a dramatic backdrop for his deadpan portraits, in which each hiker’s carefully assembled attire adds a touch of individuality to the ritual. As a series, Sansaram expands the saying that one climbs a mountain because it is there; it might be said that the subjects of these photographs climb the mountain because it is fun to be in good company, nature, and one’s hiking best. —MF

Artist’s Bio
Ian Baguskas (b. 1977) received a BFA from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, in 2000. His work has been exhibited at Jen Bekman Gallery and Dactyl Gallery in New York. He lives in New York. www.ianbaguskas.com