"The Washing Machine" was taken from my quadcopter over the start of the La Jolla Rough Water Swim, otherwise known as the Gatorman. I was there taking photos of my fiancé swimming in the event. It is one of the top ocean races in the United States. Swimmers line up in the cove shoulder to shoulder. At the start of the horn they all jump into the water at the same time, swimming as fast as they can to distance themselves from the group. "The washing machine" is a term used by open water swimmers, referring to all the whitewater being turned up. The race is three miles.

This photo is a finalist in the Altered Images category of our 13th Annual Photo Contest. See all 70 finalists here.