The impossible contrast: Young photographer drops summer-like scenes into freezing Finnish winter
At the time of writing, it’s rather cold, around -20°C, here in Helsinki. To make this a bit less insufferable, let’s enjoy some summery pictures. Almost.
Sixteen-year-old, award-winning photographer Markus Watkins has just published a very timely set of summer activities set in freezing cold Asikkala. We asked some questions about his set, which he named The Impossible Contrast.
Markus Watkins: Sno Berries Found
How did you get into photography?
“My brother inspired me to pick up a camera on our first photography-inspired trip to Morocco when I was 14. Ever since that trip I’ve always had my eyes open for a great photograph. What I really love about photography is that I love creating my own scenes and sharing my point of view with the world. I always get a buzz when I click the upload button :)”
Markus Watkins: Break The Ice“All of a sudden after 3 days of gloomy, grey darkness there was light! It’s photographed at my summer cottage in Asikkala Finland, where we spend a lot of our summers. I thought ‘what would happen if we recreated our summer scenes in the winter?’ I wanted to create images that made the viewers feel the cold.”
Markus Watkins: The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway
Did any would-be models of yours bail at the last minute, considering the cruel and an unusual punishment you were going to be subject them to?
“The sun is only up for a few hours in winter so we shot the most extreme shots (the sunbathing, and ice breaking) first. It did take A-LOT of convincing but the images worked out well so it was all worth it in the end :). I decided to put the sauna on, so in between shoots the models would run In and out of the sauna so we could photograph them very quickly before they got too cold!”
Markus Watkins: Ice Cream
What competitions have you won so far?
“I have submitted a couple of my images to the photography app scoopshoot. I won the #concertphotography competition with my photo from the Project X concert in Helsinki. My Instagram portfolio was the gateway to being able to shoot the concert! I’ve also been asked to shoot portraits for many Finnish bloggers. Ilona Ylikorpi being the main one! Also one of my photographs has been in the Minä olen magazine, with a portrait of Laura Tuomarila.”
For more fantastic shots from Markus, check out his Instagram.
Markus Watkins: Better Luck Next Time
Markus Watkins: A Chilling Tale
Markus Watkins: Rowing Nowhere
You can have fun in the winter without being totally insane.
As long as your clothes are warm enough, the snow is not deep, and the hot chocolate plentiful, who cares how cold it gets?
more titties
Cold is just a state of mind, right? She says sitting next to the fire :) :)
Jeder genießt den finnischen Winter eben auf seine Art ;-) Der Fotograf Markus Watkins bringt mit seinen Bildern… https://t.co/QZe6WhgYxU
The impossible contrast: Young photographer drops summer-like scenes into freezing Finnish #winter https://t.co/x3utujW2O9
#feelfinland
The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway.Young photographer drops summer-like scenes into freezing #Finnish #winter https://t.co/3x8tcnObnS
The impossible contrast: Young #photographer drops summer-like #scenes into freezing #Finnish #winter https://t.co/GQXxEd1VlF
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer! #Summer-like scenes in the middle of #winter. https://t.co/Q1uVjzcxax #Finland #travel #holiday
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer! Summer-like scenes in the middle of winter. https://t.co/0ZKgiPWSXi
As long as your clothes are warm enough, the snow is not deep, and the hot chocolate plentiful, who cares how cold it gets?
What a crazy Finnish idea!
You got to be crazy to do that!
What a fabulous if chill-inducing idea
Crazy muthafuckers!! Bet they hurt afterwards
When it’s been at -40 for a while, and then rises to -30, it feels like a thaw.
Wonder how much he paid his models. Not enough, I reckon :) :)
That’s one crazy kids flying into that lack. Cold and busted ass too I reckon