GRAND PRIZE WINNER: CHARLES KNOWLES Charles Knowles of Meridian knows this spot on the Palouse well. He’s been photographing the old combine since he was in high school while living in Moscow and focusing on scenic photography with a large-format camera and black and white film. The 47-year-old photographer now shoots digital photos, but he returned to the Palouse and found it again. “It happened to be a perfect morning,” he said. “It was luck of the draw, being at the right place at the right time.” It’s Knowles’ first grand prize in the Idaho Outdoors/Idaho Camera photo contest, but he’s no rookie. Knowles studied previous winners to figure out what types of photos the judges like, and he let that guide his efforts. He also credits Idaho’s beautiful landscapes. “It’s definitely one of the better places for photographers,” he said. Knowles also had some guidance from a legendary master— Ansel Adams. As a teenager, Knowles and a friend wrote to Adams and asked if they could visit. Adams agreed, and in 1982 the pair spent an afternoon at Adams’ Carmel, Calif., home and studio. “He gave us a lot of information and advice,” Knowles said.