Esko Pitkänen

“I’m only 71 years old. I was born in Savo but drifted to the Oulu region at quite a young age. The flat views felt quite strange at first but with time I got used to that.

I wanted to photograph birds so I got a simple camera, but it got me nowhere in the beginning. Then, when Hannu was making his book on hole nesters I got a chance to get to know him and got a real spark for serious photography. He was a great source of inspiration and a mentor for me (as he is still today). That was in the early 70’s.

I wandered around a lot and tried many cameras. In the 90’s I got other hobbies and took a break from photography, but in 2005 a new era began as I got a digital camera.

It was different it two ways. First, there was the business with the computer, that I didn’t seem to get a hang of at first. Fortunately my patient partner Anni Rapinoja always set me straight.
But the other thing was that it was so much more flexible that film. I’m able to photograph in varied conditions and see the outcome straight away. But still I always make sure that the background and surroundings are optimal”.

These pictures were taken in Hailuoto after 2005. The islet is very rich in birds in the summer but very barren in winter. There are magpies, jays, tits, bullfinches and other birds, and some mammals, such as elks and hares.

Esko Pitkänen is first and foremost a photographer of birds and animals. The pictures in this series are all taken in Hailuoto. Hannu Hautala characterizes his friend and colleague: “When a photographer has been able to capture so many rare themes, situations and events, it is a sure sign that they have spent a lot of time in the outdoors with the camera. Esko’s series’ of the white-tailed eagles and the encounter with the flock of greyland geese are unique. Last year Esko won the mammal category in the Nature Photograph of the Year -competition with his shot of the white hare running towards the camera. He supposedly came very close to winning the whole thing, that is, the Nature Photograph of the Year. Well, he was comforted by the fact that his picture of the hare was the overwhelming croud favourite. Humor is a rare trait among nature photography. You can find glimpses of humour in many of Esko’s photographs in both the theme and the situation when the picture was taken”.

Pictures: Esko Pitkänen
Compilation: Lauri Kantola
Music: Kari and Ville Alajuuma