1st Place – Outstanding Achievement – in Black and White Spider Awards 2013

I am delighted to announce that my Wolf and Brown Bear photograph has been awarded 1st place – Outstanding Achievement – in Black and White Spider Awards 2013. Photographers from 75 countries – in all 9,500 images – entered this year’s competition.

I especially appriciate this award because this contest is dedicated to the advancement of the classic art-form of black and white photography which has been one of my favorite subjects all the way back to the glory days of Kodak Tri-X, D76 and the Durst M670 in my old darkroom… Any way, that technique is history. The image was taken with a digital SLR, Nikon D3s, converted to black and white in Lightroom. I also had four nominee photographs in the contest, ref below. This was my first time attending Black and White Spider Awards, so I am really happy with the outcome.

About the image
The image shows a free roaming wolf and brown bear photographed in the wilderness on the Finnish-Russian border at my good friend Lassi Rautiainen´s place in Kuhmo. The brown bear is feeding while the male wolf is approaching. Click on the image to enlarge and see how the wolf´s face really tells how eager he is getting his share. Now what often happens in interaction between brown bear and wolfs, is that a pack of wolfs outnumber and surrounds the bear. Then the bear will try to chase away the wolfs, and while doing so one of the other wolfs quickly will steal from the carcass. Being audience to this game really is amazing. If you like to see wild brown bears and wolfs interacting like this, I really recommend going to Kuhmo in Finland which likely is the very best place to experience this. Feel free to take contact for any information.

Press release from Black and White Spider Awards
“Arnfinn Johansen of Norway was presented with the 8th Annual Black and White Spider Awards at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow. The live online ceremony webcast Saturday, October 19, 2013 was attended by photography fans in 75 countries who logged on to see the climax of the industry’s most important event for black and white photography.

The awards international Jury included captains of the industry from the Tate in London, Heffel Fine Art, FoMu Fotomuseum, FTM Advisory, Camera Work, Art Stage Singapore, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Galerie Baudoin Lebon in Paris, to Fratelli Alinari in Florence who honored Spider Fellows with 246 coveted title awards and 938 nominees in 14 categories.

“It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 9,456 entries we received this year,” said Basil O’Brien, the awards Creative Director. “Arnfinn Johansen’s “Wolf and Brown Bear”, an exceptional image entered in the Wildlife category, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we’re pleased to present him with the title of 1st Place – Outstanding Achievement.”

Black and White Spider Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography.

London October 19, 2013.
The Jury of Black and White Spider Awards.”

#1 Wolf and Brown Bear. Kuhmo, Finland.
1st place – Outstanding Achievment – in Black and White Spider Awards 2013.
Nikon D3s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/500 sec at f/5.6. ISO 4000.

#2 Brown Bear in morning mist. Kuhmo, Finland.
Nominee in Black and White Spider Awards 2013.
Nikon D3, Nikkor 400/2.8 VR, 1/125 sec at f/2.8. -2/3 EV, ISO 800.

#3 Black Cock at lek. Nannestad, Norway.
Nominee in Black and White Spider Awards 2013.
Nikon D3s, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/1250 sec at f/6.3. ISO 400.

#4 Leopard. Maasai Mara, Kenya.
Nominee in Black and White Spider Awards 2013.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/500 sec at f/4.5. +2/3 EV, ISO 4500.

#5 Lion. Maasai Mara, Kenya.
Nominee in Black and White Spider Awards 2013.
Nikon D4, Nikkor 600/4 VR, 1/250 sec at f/4. +1/3 EV, ISO 4500.