NORDIC PHOTO COMPETITION 2024

Sweden again took first place in the Nordic Photo Competition for Seafarers

Swedish ship's cook Jörgen Språng took this year's winning photo, a picture of his colleague Conrado taken from an unconventional angle.

Throughout the year, the national organizers (in Denmark, SEA HEALTH & WELFARE) receive photos from seafarers on board Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic ships. Once the national competitions have been held, the 15 best images from each country go on to the Nordic Seafarer Photo Competition. In 2024, 143 seafarer photographers submitted a total of 859 images.

The Nordic competition is held in turn in the Nordic countries, and this year, Iceland hosted the competition. The organizing country provides competent judges, and this year they were Þórhallur Jónsson, a professional photographer in Akureyri, and Sigfús Ólafur Helgason, a former fisherman, and enthusiastic photographer with a special interest in the history of fishing vessels in Iceland.

There are prizes for 1st to 5th place, and we thank this year's sponsors: Ulykkesforsikringsforbundet for Dansk Søfart, Denmark, Sjöfartstidningen, Sweden, Sjøfartsdirektoratet, Norway, Félag skipstjórnarmanna, which publishes the magazine Sjómannablaðið Víkingur in Iceland, and Finnlines, Finland.

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

Winner of The Nordic Photo Competition for Seafarers 2024
Photographer: Cook Jörgen Språng, MT BITFLOWER, Sweden
Title: ”Above Corado”

 Jury statement: A man at daily work, captured from a fun perspective. The color combination of yellow, red, and, not least, the sailor's headdress lends the image a special touch. Exemplary image structure.

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

2nd place
Photographer: Chief Engineer Staffan Ahlstrand, IB IDUN, Sverige
Title: "Deicing"

 Jury statement: The photo is not technically perfect. Slightly out of focus. But the harshness that shines from the ship and men captures the eye and sends a message to us who live in the land. Being a fisherman is not always easy. That's the story of this cool photo.

Photo equipment worth 5.000 SEK. sponsored by Sjöfartstidningen, Sverige

3rd place
Photographer: Bosun Daniel Möllerström, NJORD VIKING, Norway
Title: "Funeral"

 Jury statement: This photo is full of life. The men stand in the middle of the sparks. The struggle with the chain is clearly difficult, but people must know how to save themselves at sea. The composition of the photo is very good.

Photo equipment worth 5.000 SEK. sponsored by Sjöfartstidningen, Sverige

4th place
Photographer: AB Davíð Már Sigurðsson, DRANGEY, Iceland

Title: Networking

 Jury statement: A sharp and concise photo. High-quality environmental portrait, technically very well executed, and exemplary photo composition. 

 Photo equipment worth 450  sponsored  by Félag skipstjórnarmanna, which publishes the magazine Sjómannablaðið Víkingur in Iceland

5th place
Photographer: AB Andreas Wolden, KRONPRINS HAAKON, Norway
Title: "
Icebergs through the Valve”

 Jury statement: A sharp and concise photo. High-quality environmental portrait, technically very well executed, and exemplary photo composition. 

Photo equipment worth 300 € sponsored by Finnlines

Honourable mention
Photographer: Captain Kjell-Vidar Forsberg, EMMA, Norway

Title: "harry aboard the EMMA"

 Jury statement: The joy that shines from the fisherman makes this photo extremely fun to watch.

Honourable mention
Photographer: AB Adam Andersson, IB ATLE, Sweden
Title: "Helping hand" 

 Jury statement: There is something terrifying about this photo. The men are so small, but despite their small size, they are facing the forces of nature. And in this case, they might even win.

Honourable mention
Photographer: Oiler Han Lwin Oo, ATLANTIC TSUBAKI, Norway

Title: "Icebreaking

 Jury statement: A reasonably well-executed environmental portrait of a person in an extraordinary situation.

Honourable mention
Photographer: AB Davíð Már Sigurðsson, DRANGEY, Iceland

Title: "Hungry Birds"

 Jury statement: Beautiful nature photo. The birds fill the frame, which pays off very well. Technically well executed.

Honourable mention
Photographer: 1st mate Simon Fredin, NJORD VIKING
Title: "Towing a rig"

 Jury statement: Extremely technically well executed. Well framed.