Vuosaari photographer wins nature photo award with backyard shot

Nature photographer Reijo Helaakoski has won the Nature Photograph of the Year competition with a picture taken in his yard in Vuosaari, Helsinki, Yle reports. The image, titled “Encounter,” shows a wasp and a red admiral butterfly flying close together.

Helaakoski has lived in Vuosaari for more than 20 years and often takes photographs in the neighbourhood. Part of his yard is a meadow, and a butterfly feeding station was in place when he took the winning photograph.

He went out to photograph at a particular time because the background would appear as it did in the image for only a couple of hours, in the afternoon backlight. His aim was to capture several flying insects at once in an interesting position. Only a few of the shots met that goal.

Helaakoski says Vuosaari’s varied and changing natural environment offers good opportunities for photographers. A photograph taken in the neighbourhood also won the competition in 2020.

He began photography about seven years ago and says a good nature photograph depends on suitable equipment, knowledge of nature and luck. He advises beginners to learn by taking photographs and spending time outdoors.