Finland

Two fishermen on a boat on Kankarisvesi lake on a calm summer evening in Jämsänkoski in southern Finland.

A colt and a mare grooming each other on a sunny summer evening in southern Finland. The colt came running to me when I stopped to take photos, but quickly lost interest in me since I didn't have any treats to offer – lesson learned for next time!

Rural landscape in Jämsä, which lies between Tampere and Jyväskylä in southern Finland. The lake is called Juoksjärvi, a stone's throw from the massive Päijänne lake. You can see this as a full-resolution 109 megapixel panorama here
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This is taken in Suomenlinna at an annual fireworks competition in Helsinki, Finland. I used some dark foliage to frame these fiery flowers.

Taking photographs of fireworks is largely a matter of luck and volume. Even so the photographer can affect the outcome. You can't anticipate the explosions, as it's too late to trip the shutter by the time you see the flash - you'll end up with bright spokes without the hub. So what I do is to open the shutter for 15 or so seconds, and wait for a good burst. Tripod is essential if you want sharp, noise/grain-free pictures.

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This is a typical crisp sunset on Kankarisvesi lake in Jämsänkoski in central Finland. This is the region where I grew up, and is considered some of the most beautiful areas in Finland. Our most beloved artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, painted some of his most famous paintings here.

See a map of where this photo was taken

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