Jostein Hellevik from Dalen in Norway was voted Nordic Nature Photographer of the Year in the seventh Nordic Nature Photo Contest 2018, organized by the magazine Natur & Foto. This is the largest photography competition in the Nordic region.
This year 375 photographers from the Nordic and other European countries participated with 4,800 pictures. With this prize Jostein has proved to be a talented photographer of world format. His winning photograph shows a fantastic image of a fish eagle chasing fish in Telemark, Norway.
Knut Erik Alnæs was the “Young Nordic Nature Photographer of the Year” two years ago. This year he made it again.
Related: Scandinavian Winners of the 2014 College Photographers of the Year Competition
The internationally acclaimed photographer Audun Rikardsen from Tromsø, Norway was in fact trying to shoot pictures of salmon in a river outside the city when the frog in bright northern lights popped up.
Two categories were won by non-Norwegian photographers. The winner of category Mammals was won by a Swede and the winner of the class Photo Journey was won by an Israeli.
Main sponsor for the competition this year was Nikon, and the main price a Nikon D850, at a value of approximately GBP 4,000. Other sponsors were Focus Nordic, Norwegian Outdoors, Stavanger Photo, Stjørdal Photo, Interfoto, Foto.no, Scandinavian Photo, WWF and Fotobag.no. In total there were prices worth GBP 15,000.
Here are the winners:
Nordic Birds of the Year – Jostein Hellevik, Norway.
Contact info: Vikavegen 92, 3880, Dalen, Telemark, Norway, tel. +45 90065976, jostein@hovdmyra.no
The Nordic Mammal Picture of the Year – Per Karlsson, Sweden. Contact Info: pvk@bahnhof.se
The Nordic Landscape of the Year – Audun Rikardsen, Norway.
Contact info: Myrsnipa 9, 9103, Kvaløya, Troms, 92443354 audun.rikardsen@uit.no
Nordic close-up of the year – winner Leif Rustand, Norway
Contact info: Nustadskolevei 16.3970 Langesund, +47 41363461 mail: rustandfoto@gmail.com
Nordic Walking Tour of the Year – Winner Ingunn Sørhaug Ranheim, Norway.
Contact Info: Hofveien 53,3090 Hof. Tel: 46837644, ingunnsranheim@gmail.com
The Nordic Creative Nature Picture of the Year – Winner Jørn Areklett Omre, Norway.
Contact Info: Nygårdsveien 74, 1930, Aurskog, Akershus, Norway, tel. 4808 4808, mail: jaofoto@online.no
Threatened Nordic Nature – Winner Espen Bergersen, Norway.
Contact Info: espen@naturgalleriet.no
Photo demands – Winner Roie Galitz, Israel. roue@galitz.co.il
Jury members were photographer Pål Hermansen from Norway, Anders Geidemark from Sweden in addition to Tom Schandy and Baard Næss from Natur & Foto.
Nordic Photographer of the Year, compiled by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): Fish Eagle, by Jostein Hellevik