Sami Kero’s image of Eurovision winner Lordi Press Photo of the Year
Katja Lösönen chosen as Press Photographer of 2006
The best press photos of 2006 were announced on Friday during the Helsinki Media Conference at the Helsinki Fair Centre. The Press Photo of the Year title was awarded to Sami Kero for his quirky image depicting the Eurovision Song Contest winner, Lordi, taken in Athens after the Finnish triumph. Sami Kero is employed by Helsingin Sanomat.
According to the jury, Kero’s image "reaches deep into the Finnish identity" and also reminds us of the principle: "less is more".
Kero explains that he took an enormous number of photos in Athens. The winning picture is not the most stunning visually, but it has a clear message: "A monster redeemed Finland".
The photo was snapped at a press conference. "Usually they are the real anti-climaxes", Kero laughs.
Freelance photographer Katja Lösönen, in turn, was awarded the Press Photographer of the Year title. She also received a prize for the best foreign coverage. The feature story photographed in Pakistan was commissioned by the weekly magazine Apu.
Another Helsingin Sanomat photographer Hannes Heikura received a commendation. According to the jury, his approach and style were different from those of Lösönen. "Heikura’s expression remains more detached but is visually more interesting."
By the public vote, the best press photographer was Joonas Brandt from A-Magazines. Brandt was also rewarded by the jury for the best domestic coverage.
The best news photo was snapped by freelancer Sampo Rautamaa, the best sports photo by Hannu Lindroos of the weekly Suomen Kuvalehti, and the best portrait by Kari Kaipainen of Apu.
The jury consisted of photographer Pieter ten Hoopen from Sweden, professor Riitta Brusila from the University of Lapland, and photographer Jouko Lehtola.
The winning photos are also on display at the Finnish language website www.suomenlehtikuvaajat.fi. The images can be viewed by clicking on “Vuoden 2006 lehtikuvat julkistettu!”
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 16.4.2007 - TODAY |
 Sami Kero’s image of Eurovision winner Lordi Press Photo of the Year
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