Performers
Kuusamo Nature Photo 7.-9. 9. 2012 Performers' introduction
Mahmud Bangkaru, Indonesia
Lecture 1: The scenic island paradise.
The PulauBanyak archipelago has virgin jungles, beautiful beaches, coral reefs, mangrove forests and a rich wild life. On PulauBangkaru is the major turtle conservation program with nesting Green Turtles and Leatherback Turtles. The local PulauBanyak Foundation has fought hard to save the nature, for example the turtles from egg poaching, the forest from logging and the reefs from bomb fishing.
Lecture 2: Forests, islands, animals, and people in Sumatra
A photo journey through the amazing provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. From sea gardens and amazing beaches to mountains, rivers and virgin jungles. Enormous natural diversity and just as diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural landscape. A paradise for a photographer.
Photos selected for the lectures are taken by friends, collegues and volunteers from all over the World. We have one thing in common; love for the nature.
A photo journey through the amazing provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. From sea gardens and amazing beaches to mountains, rivers and virgin jungles. Enormous natural diversity and just as diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural landscape. A paradise for a photographer.
Photos selected for the lectures are taken by friends, collegues and volunteers from all over the World. We have one thing in common; love for the nature.
Based in Abruzzi (Italy), Bruno D'Amicis is a professional wildlife photojournalist, specialized in mountain ecosystems and wilderness conservation issues. Bruno is also M. Sc. cum laude in Biology with experience and academic background in animal ecology, conservation biology and environmental education. His images and words have been published in several countries in books, magazines, calendars and brochures. Among his clients: National Geographic, GEO, BBC Wildlife, Terre Sauvage, WWF, Birdlife International, PAN Parks Foundation, etc. His stock images represented worldwide by the Nature Picture Library.
Bruno has been on assignment for the "Wild Wonders of Europe” project in 2009 and a researcher for the National Geographic Society in 2005. He is an Associate Member of the iLCP (International League of Conservation Photographers). In 2010 two of his images have been highly commended at the "European Nature Photographer of the Year" competition. In 2011 he has been a speaker at "Wildphotos” in London
Abruzzi, Italy’s wild heart
Italy is one of the most densely populated countries of Europe. Since thousands of years humans have tamed, cultivated and inhabited the land, leaving virtually no space behind for wilderness. When even the last bears and wolves had been eradicated from the Alps, these predators could be found only in the Central Apennines of Abruzzi. Protected by this region’s remoteness, rugged territory and pastoral lifestyle, those animals survived by learning how to live next to people and close to metropolis like Rome and Naples. Besides the obvious large vertebrates, the biological richness of Abruzzi lies in its vast beech forests, deep valleys and solitary mountain plateaus. Here human and natural history meet in a unique mixture. Only in a few other spots on the European Continent so many endemic species have been discovered. Even less are the places in Europe, where the food web can be still considered complete. Thus, the value of having such wilderness in the backyard goes beyond the Italian borders: it belongs tothe natural heritage of whole Europe.
In love with the mountains of Abruzzi since my childhood, as a biologist first and nature photographer after, I extensively roamed their woods, valleys and plateaus in search of their wild inhabitants. This presentation will show many of the most charismatic and elusive creatures living in the Apennines, portrayed exclusively in the wild. Images that depict bears, wolves, wild cats, chamois, deer, eagles and vultures as rarely seen before, as these animals live and move within the grandeur of the landscape and the thriving nature of Italy’s wild heart.
Italy is one of the most densely populated countries of Europe. Since thousands of years humans have tamed, cultivated and inhabited the land, leaving virtually no space behind for wilderness. When even the last bears and wolves had been eradicated from the Alps, these predators could be found only in the Central Apennines of Abruzzi. Protected by this region’s remoteness, rugged territory and pastoral lifestyle, those animals survived by learning how to live next to people and close to metropolis like Rome and Naples. Besides the obvious large vertebrates, the biological richness of Abruzzi lies in its vast beech forests, deep valleys and solitary mountain plateaus. Here human and natural history meet in a unique mixture. Only in a few other spots on the European Continent so many endemic species have been discovered. Even less are the places in Europe, where the food web can be still considered complete. Thus, the value of having such wilderness in the backyard goes beyond the Italian borders: it belongs tothe natural heritage of whole Europe.
In love with the mountains of Abruzzi since my childhood, as a biologist first and nature photographer after, I extensively roamed their woods, valleys and plateaus in search of their wild inhabitants. This presentation will show many of the most charismatic and elusive creatures living in the Apennines, portrayed exclusively in the wild. Images that depict bears, wolves, wild cats, chamois, deer, eagles and vultures as rarely seen before, as these animals live and move within the grandeur of the landscape and the thriving nature of Italy’s wild heart.
For a number of years Sergey has been taking pictures of Wildlife and his anxiety grows every year as he sees that the world imprinted in his images is in danger.
Sergey still considers himself an amateur photographer and he tells us that he "… somehow imperceptibly began photographing wildlife, getting from this either with the incomparable pleasure, I want to shoot wildlife for what it is, what it always was and it should remain for our children "- so says Sergey about how he came to take pictures. "I think that it is impossible to learn this genre sitting in the studio”, he says and continues by saying that he himself has always relied on the trial and error method which has proved successful to him all the way to the present day.
He has been photographing the wild world of Russia as a solo project and his favorite places to do this are Kamchatka and theRussian Arctic. Sometimes he ventures out of Russia where he likes to photograph leopards. Sergey is of the opinion that each individual project requires the full attention and commitment of the photographer, and that he will stay the courseuntil the end. In Russia Sergey won the international pictures of wildlife contest and his work is acknowledged and has achieved popularity. In addition to holding many exhibitions and seminars worldwide, his works have been published in many international publications, and his photographs are also represented in the agency Minden Pictures that issued the two authors album: "The Bear" and "Kamchatka".At first Sergey was taking pictures for himself but gradually came to the conclusion that this attitude was wrong since very few people were able to watch the life of wild animals: "My lens is a connecting link between the living nature and me. Through it I can see, make pictures, and try to render beauty of the wild nature, a part of what I have seen and experiences myself being near in their vanishing world, which is gradually disappearing from the earth.”
www.gorshkov-photo.com
Lecure1. Kamchatka!
To begin with, I will show you some pictures for you to get absorbed in the beauty of Kamchatka's wildlife. A unique animal lives here on this peninsula. It is a real and complete predator. This is a story about the BEAR.
His home – Kurile Lake. It is the largest spawning ground for red salmon in Eurasia, which attracts man and beast. And this is the best place for bears. They come here every year from generation to generation. I am often asked: 'How did it start?' It is quite simple. Many years ago I saw a documentary about Kamchatka. I was surprised and impressed by its wildlife. I couldn't believe that it was filmed in Russia. Later, when I got some time.... I came there on purpose to watch and take pictures of bears.
I was so absorbed by this process... that last 7 years I regularly go to Kamchatka to check on my bears. While taking pictures .. I have visited different places in Kamchatka. I have counted..that traveling to Kamchatka I have spent 435 hours on plane .. having covered 480 000 km. My trips to the world of wildlife in Kamchatka were so interesting and exciting that years of work have now passed by---- like one day............
Lecture2. "wildlife of the Okavango delta"
Project by Sergey in Afriсa - Wild world of the Okavango Delta. His favorite model is the leopard., he photographed them for many years, he is one of the few photographers who managed to take a detailed life of the leopards.
I have already told that every photographer needs an individual project which he will carry out in full.
Many of you know that my projects in Russia are – Wild World of Kamchatka, the Arctic, Wrangel Island, Taimyr Peninsula and boundless spaces of Taiga.
I have been running these projects for many years but today I want to demonstrate one of the projects I have outside Russia – this is Africa.
Once, many years ago my guide told me – "There is no wild Africa any longer”. But I believe that there are still some places which remain wild, where nature still seems untouched. One of such places in Africa where you can enjoy the wealth of wildlife is the Okavango
I think you will agree with me if I say that it is impossible to give all you attention, time and effort to one place. Each place deserves more.
You always want to move on to a new place in order to explore the huge African continent.
But several years ago I made up my mind and chose Botswana and in particular the Okavango River as a new project.
I am often told that everything in Africa is as clear as day.
You can either agree or not.
Every day in Africa brings something new.
We never know what’s going to happen in a minute.
You cannot take just one picture of a landscape because it is changing all the time, it is new every day. There can’t be even imitation. Each photographer sees the world differently so each of us makes unique photographs.
Erlend and Orsolya will share images and audiovisual shows produced in connection with their two book projects completed in the last 6 years. Therefore, their presentation has two parts, one about Lapland, which is their first common project since they started to work together in 2004, and one about Iceland completed a year ago.
Lecture 1. Lapland – the Alaska of Europe
Erlend and Orsolya have travelled 8 months between 2005 and 2007 in Norwegian/Swedish/Finnish Lapland to capture the unspoilt landscape and wildlife of the region. In this project, they were focussing on five particular areas in Norway, but also visited the Riisitunturi National Park in Finland, and Laponia in Sweden. Their book has been published in Hungarian, English and German.
Erlend and Orsolya have travelled 8 months between 2005 and 2007 in Norwegian/Swedish/Finnish Lapland to capture the unspoilt landscape and wildlife of the region. In this project, they were focussing on five particular areas in Norway, but also visited the Riisitunturi National Park in Finland, and Laponia in Sweden. Their book has been published in Hungarian, English and German.
Lecture 2. Iceland – land of contrasts
It was the Wild Wonders of Europe project that took the nature photographer couple to Iceland for the first time in 2008. They spent 3 months in the country, which was followed by 2+2 months in spring and autumn 2010, and another 3 months in winter 2011. With a diverse image collection of landscapes and wildlife from both summer and winter season, they illustrate strong contrasts in the natural world that can be easily observed in Iceland. Their book has been published in Hungarian and English by National Geographic Hungary.
It was the Wild Wonders of Europe project that took the nature photographer couple to Iceland for the first time in 2008. They spent 3 months in the country, which was followed by 2+2 months in spring and autumn 2010, and another 3 months in winter 2011. With a diverse image collection of landscapes and wildlife from both summer and winter season, they illustrate strong contrasts in the natural world that can be easily observed in Iceland. Their book has been published in Hungarian and English by National Geographic Hungary.
Erlend and Orsolya are freelance nature
5-6 months yearly in the Nordic countries. Their photographs have won awards in several international photo contests, including BBC WPY, GDT EWPY, and Nature’s Best Photography Awards. Erlend won the title Nature Photographer of the Year six times between 1986 and 2000 in Norway. Orsolya was awarded the title Nature Photographer of the Yearin 2009 and 2011 in Hungary.
Outside Scandinavia their images have been published in a number of magazines including National Geographic, BBC Wildlife Magazine and Terre Sauvage.
Their photographs are represented internationally by Nature Picture Library (www.naturepl.com) and SCANPIX (www.scanpix.com).
Outside Scandinavia their images have been published in a number of magazines including National Geographic, BBC Wildlife Magazine and Terre Sauvage.
Their photographs are represented internationally by Nature Picture Library (www.naturepl.com) and SCANPIX (www.scanpix.com).
Website: www.haarbergphoto.com
Karjalainen is an award winning nature photographer and insect expert. The State Award for Public Information was given to Karjalainen for his first publication SuomenSudenkorennot (Finland’s fireflies 2002). This book gave birth to a great interest on the subject, and increased the number of firefly enthusiasts exceptionally. The book was also awarded in the Best of the Year Competition in Photography and Illustrations series. Karjalainen's second book Suomenheinäsirkat(Finland’s locusts and Grasshoppers 2009) is the equal in significance as his first publication and will presumably remain the basic work of the field for a long time. This book was chosen to be a part of the most 
beautiful books collection of the year.
Karjalainen was elected aFotofinlandia-finalist in 2011. In recent years, 
Karjalainen has focused on photographing Beautiful Demoiselles around the world and in addition to Finland
he has been in the Southeast Asian rain forest.
Lecture: Stunning Demoiselles
Beautiful Demoiselles are the flying jewels of running waters. They live in the water as caterpillars for two years after which an intensiveone-monthlong grown-up life full of drama begins. The males hold territoriesfor themselves and act aggressively towards one anotherother, which includes a fierce fight for what is rightfully theirs. In this battle for once area a multi-phased scenario full of turf battles, hot pursuits, flying round in circles and physical confrontations takes place. Territorial struggles can take hours and even result in the death of the other party. To the females, the males perform refined dance, which is meant to attract the opposite sex in order to interest them with special act of persuasion. Adult life will end no later than at the end of the summer, but life goes on as eggs and caterpillars - and a new generation is on the fly the following summer.
Jorma Luhta (age 61) lives and works in Haukipudas, nearby Oulu, Finland. Jorma Luhta has been photographing since the 70’s and he has had several exhibitions in Finland and abroad. His main exhibitions are Cranes will not return in the year 1973, The Forest of Siberian Jay in 1982, Blue season in 1993, Dance in the Swamp in 1994 and Peregrine falcon – the God of sky in 2007. His most recent exhibition Starry Nights has toured in China, Central Europe, Canada and the United States. Luhta has published several books; his most noteworthy books are The Land of the Cranes 1980, the Death of the Capercailzie 1987, A Dance in the Swamp 1994 and Land of The Capercailzies in 2001. His most recent book Starry Nights 2009 has been published in Finnish, English and French. The book Land of The Capercailzies won the prize "the Nature Book of the Year” in 2001 and Starry Nights in 2009.
Lecture: Sacrificial bird stone - wanderers at the tundra
The slideshow will bound together photographers hiking in the northern Fennoscandian Mountains, memories of the last nomads and wandering or just suddenly appearing and disappearing northern animals. From this very same topic Luhta intends to publish a photo book and a prose work in which he also considers the most inexplicable experiences in nature - which the name of this presentation also refers to.
The slideshow will bound together photographers hiking in the northern Fennoscandian Mountains, memories of the last nomads and wandering or just suddenly appearing and disappearing northern animals. From this very same topic Luhta intends to publish a photo book and a prose work in which he also considers the most inexplicable experiences in nature - which the name of this presentation also refers to.
JussiMurtosaari (50 years) is a building architecture and nature photographer who has photographed nature about 35 years and been actively having butterflies as an interest for 40 years. The photography targets are usually animals, so in other words, all that moves has been a great motive. Over the years, Murtosaari has released a few thousand pictures, hundreds of articles and several books, including the last two just in his own name.
Lecture: Looking into the world of butterflies
A series of pictures and stories about butterflies, their lives and the experience behind photographing them. Finland has been found to be the home of more than 2,500 butterfly species, of which 119 
arepapilionoidea. This species is only some ten per cent of the total number of butterflies in Finland but it is by far the most visible, most familiar, and, of course, also the most photographed one. Finland’s species is a stunning blend of southern, eastern and northern species. The amount of 
butterfly species in Finland is for instance higher than for example in the UK.
Changes in the environment and climate may result in stunning effects. Already 17 species of Finland’s butterflies are protected and by counting all the butterfly related species in the country the number raises to 26 species. Photography is the only possible way of recordingthese species andMurtosaari presents a large amount of pictures of different types of butterflies in addition to pictures of them in action such as in flight mode. The flying pictures are special because the camera lens can catch details the naked eye cannot, among these details the pictures reveals how the butterfly’s wings moves and bends during flight and other details that may occur during this state in the air.
EsaMälkönen works as the Nature Photographers Association’s chairman. His love for naturephotos started in a hobby and interest for birds but escalated from that point to a wider spectre to contain all of nature. Mälkönen has done well in both Finnish and international nature photo contests and in 2006 hispiece of a snowy Kilpisjärvi was chosen for the Nature photo of the Year.
Lecture: In the Kingdom of Penguins
Antarctica is the world’s coldest and most windy continent in the world with the heaviest covers of snow. Nevertheless, Antarctica and it’s surrounding islands spark to life during summertime at which point these areas become the home for millions of penguins, seabirds and seals. EsaMälkösen’s art tells the story of these animals located in the Antarctic area, the Falkland, South Georgia and the polar continent.
Antarctica is the world’s coldest and most windy continent in the world with the heaviest covers of snow. Nevertheless, Antarctica and it’s surrounding islands spark to life during summertime at which point these areas become the home for millions of penguins, seabirds and seals. EsaMälkösen’s art tells the story of these animals located in the Antarctic area, the Falkland, South Georgia and the polar continent.
Lassi Rautiainen can be regarded as the father of the Kuusamo Nature Photo festival; he is one of the main actors behind the outcome of the festival and has led the event as an artistic director since its beginning in 1996 till 2010. Rautiainen has been involved in the producing of more than 20 nature books. He is also a pioneer in organizing photo safaris in Finland, which started already in 1991. His safaris with a base camp in Kuikka are focused on shooting bears and wolves in Kuhmo. Bear and wolf safaris are visited by photo enthusiasts from about 20 countries every year. He also arranges trips abroad.
Rautiainen won the BBC WPY in the category The best of mammals and birds in 2005 and the Finnish Nature Photography of the year in 2007. He was also awarded by Finnfoto and with Kajaani Culture Award in 2008. In addition he was nominated as The Artist of the Year in Suomussalmi in 2009. At the moment he is a chairman of East Taiga Association led by Kuhmo-Suomussalmi Tourism Association. Rautianen is aiming to publish the very first book on wolves in Europe, and in this publication all the images are taken in the wild.
Lecture: The Fighters
My presentation will be an action-packed story of the wolves and bears living in Kuhmo. I will also tell you about winter bird photography in Kuusamo and some hide-stories related to this. In addition I might show you some expositions of other birds.
JuhoSuonpää (born 1963 in Helsinki) is a researcher, photographer and teacher. He has graduated as a master in education theory from the university in Tampere and has a PhD from the school of Arts. In his doctoral dissertation PetokuvanraadollisusSuonpääresearchesthe nature photo’s meaning in relevance to society. In addition he has produced the award winning photography books Metsäliikkuu (The Forest is on the move) and Luontokuvantotuudenhetki(The Moment of Truth in Nature Photography). His book Sacred Places – Pyhätpaikat deals with matters such as how tourist attractions are visually presented, and in Valokuva on IN he discusses the aesthetics of modern photography art. Suonpää holds lectures concerning photography, writes scientific journals and holds art exhibitions on a regular base either at home or abroad. In addition he has produces children’s books, educational material and documentaries. 
At Tampere University of Applied Sciences JuhaSuonpää works as the senior instructor on the degree programme in Fine Art and also works as a part-time photography professor at the University of Lapland. In 2011 he received the Finnfoto award on the basis of his wide ranking work in the field of photography organizations.
Lecture: Untitled- journeys to the borders and beyond
As a man receiving his first system camera at the age of 12, Suonpää stopped taking nature pictures after 25 years of experience. Now he is back, and the question is- why?
As a man receiving his first system camera at the age of 12, Suonpää stopped taking nature pictures after 25 years of experience. Now he is back, and the question is- why?
Tuija Warén (b. 1959) is a biologist, senior planner and nature photographer located in Korsnäs. Warén has a Nature photographer vocational qualification since year 2010, but she has photographed nature already since the early 80's. Tuija’s photo targets are mainly in the Kvarken Archipelago. Warén is a member of Suomen Luonnonvalokuvaajat ry (Finnish Nature Photographers Association), BioFoto Finland and Fotoklubben Knäppisarna. She had two personal exhibitions: Lintujen kevättunnelmia Merenkurkussa (Birds in spring atmosphere in the Kvarken) in 2010 and Kivet pääosassa (Stones starring) in 2011.
Lecture: Birdlife in the Kvarken rocky archipelago
Kvarken Archipelago is Finland's only natural site on UNESCO World Heritage List. It was added to the list in 2006 by geological criterion. The Kvarken rocky archipelago offers nesting islets and rich food reserves for thousands of insular birds. In my presentation I will lead you to the springtime and early summer for Velvet Scoter, Greylag Geese and Red-breasted Merganser in the outer archipelago. The Kvarken archipelago's rugged landscape on one hand and the blasting life of the birds on the other hand are opposites that complement one other. They are the visible forms of the life of the rocky archipelago Kvarken.
Kvarken Archipelago is Finland's only natural site on UNESCO World Heritage List. It was added to the list in 2006 by geological criterion. The Kvarken rocky archipelago offers nesting islets and rich food reserves for thousands of insular birds. In my presentation I will lead you to the springtime and early summer for Velvet Scoter, Greylag Geese and Red-breasted Merganser in the outer archipelago. The Kvarken archipelago's rugged landscape on one hand and the blasting life of the birds on the other hand are opposites that complement one other. They are the visible forms of the life of the rocky archipelago Kvarken.
HeikkiWillamo, a photographer and author from Karjalohja with 30 years of experience in the field. He mostly takes pictures of the forest fauna and flora close to his own home area but his interest for the past and myths often take him for longer photography journeys away from home, especially to the north where one can admire the ancient Stone Age art. His aim is almost always to make a book out of his works – it is his passion to tell stories.
Lecture: A year in the forest
Willamo spent as much time as possible in a 200 hectare protected forest during the year 2010.His thoughts behind this expedition were to observe, take pictures and ponder what the forest meant to him. He describes that he went on this conquest without a plan, preparations or expectations, only with the purpose ofreceiving what was given. The year proved to be an interesting journey to both the forest in the wild and in his mind.
Willamo spent as much time as possible in a 200 hectare protected forest during the year 2010.His thoughts behind this expedition were to observe, take pictures and ponder what the forest meant to him. He describes that he went on this conquest without a plan, preparations or expectations, only with the purpose ofreceiving what was given. The year proved to be an interesting journey to both the forest in the wild and in his mind.
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