NORDIC PHOTO COMPETITION 2021

The winning photo in the Nordic Photo Competition for Seafarers is taken by Richard Jensen from Sweden. The evocative picture shows a fishing boat and a part of the new maritime world, windmills. Sadly, there were no Danish pictures among the winners. 

760 photos from 136 photographers from seafarers on board Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic ships had been submitted to the national photo competitions for seafarers in 2021. Each year the five winners from the national competitions plus ten additional pictures are selected to participate in the Nordic Photo Competition for Seafarers .

 The photo competition is held in the Nordic countries in turns and the 2021 competition was held in Finland, where the jury members were Hanna Weselius, photographer and writer, University Lecturer of photography at Aalto University and Tiina Mertanen, Director of Museum Services, The National Museum of Finland /Finnish Heritage Agency (including the Maritime Museum of Finland).

 There are prizes for the 1st to 5th place and we send a big thank you to the kind sponsors this year: Ulykkesforsikringsforbundet for Dansk Søfart, Denmark, Sjøfartsdirektoratet, Norway,  Sjöfartstidningen, Sweden, Loðnuvinnslan hf., Faskrudsfirdi, Iceland and Finnlines, Finland.

Click on the pictures to see them in a larger version.

Winner
Richard Jensen, Safety Officer, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER, Sweden

”Fishermen returning to port”

A tranquil and beautiful image where the majestic windmills put human efforts on scale. In the picture we see a traditional fishing boat in a new industrial maritime landscape.

A gift card of  5.000 DKK sponsored by Ulykkesforsikringsforbundet for Dansk Søfart, Denmark

2nd place
Jörgen Språng, cook, mt BIT OKLAND, Sweden

"At arm's length"

A classical black and white composition of work at sea. One can easily smell the motor oil and sweat and hear the cursing.

Photo equipment worth 5.000 NOK sponsored by Sjøfartsdirektoratet i  Norway

3rd place
Johan Nilheimer, master, mr ROSLAGEN, Sweden

"Direct hit"

A beautifully captured decisive moment.  A classical archipelago vessel shows the living heritage of maritime traffic.

Fotoequipment worth 5.000 SEK. sponsored by Sjöfartstidningen, Sverige

4th place
Lukka Jonasson, AB  mv NORSEA FIGHTER, Sweden

"Breaking the Ice"

A fascinating view from the ship's bow showing the depth of the sky and the surface of the frozen sea.

 Foto equipment worth 450 € sponsored af  Loðnuvinnslan hf., Faskrudsfirdi, Island 

5th place
Denny Flögstad, bosun NJORD VIKING, Norge

"Seaman vs rigg"

A harmonic view of a moment of rest, where the contrast between human and technology is depicted in a balanced way. One may ask whether he is browsing the internet or writing poetry.

Foto equipment worth 300 € sponsored by Finnlines

Honourable mention

Aleksandrs Surigins, chief officer FINNFELLOW, Finland

"Långnäs"

At the first glance one wonders if the picture was taken in outer space or in the depths of the ocean. Then one notices the mooring line and understands the ship’s presence. One of the few night images in the selection.

Honourable mention
Henrik Wiklund, AB ib YMER, Sweden

"Are we there yet"

A heartwarming picture of a dog's life at sea. Man’s best friend has a long history onboard.

Honourable mention
Jörgen Språng, cook mt BIT OKLAND, Sweden

"The Mean Menu"

A funny and clever shot of a seagull behind the galley window. So close but so far.

Honourable mention
Sanna Elo, AB ib OTSO, Finland

"Winterly spirit"

The image shows the great greyness of an arctic winter day. One can feel the tangible materiality of the water and ice.

Honourable mention
Thomas Olsen, OLYMPIC THAURUS, Norge

"Mummy has made a nest on port side anchor"

A touching picture of a bird’s nest built of straws and plastic waste in a rather unfortunate spot.

Honourable mention
Suvi Keto, AB rv ARANDA, Finland

"Happy painting"

An easygoing documentary image of everyday work onboard.