Mysterious forest landscape takes first place in Denmark’s photo contest

12 August 2021 Forests in photos

PEFC Denmark has unveiled the stunning winners of its 2021 Photo Contest “Close to the Forest, Close to PEFC”.

The jury, consisting of Palle Thomsen and Sune Enevoldsen from PEFC Denmark, and Lisa Westring, last year’s winner of the Danish contest, chose the three winners out of 222 entries.

The winners

First prize went to Naja Bertolt Jensen for the photo ‘Morning Mist’.

Taken on an early morning walk in a forest near Ostia, Italy, the image shows the morning dew evaporating, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

"The image is beautifully captured, with a person coming out of the darkness, into the mist and light," said jury member Lisa Westring.

"When you first see the picture, you are drawn in and ask yourself where the path goes, while you can almost smell the morning mist,” Sune Enevoldsen added.

Michael Trebbien came in second with the photo ‘Beats per minute’, captured in the Marselisborg forests in Aarhus, Denmark.

Taking the photo was a long process, as the photographer explained:

"I have known this place in the forest for years, but I had never seen it in this light, until I came there one spring day. I returned a few days later at the same time of day and with the right photo equipment."

"Here, composition and light have clearly been thought about, naturally leading the eye to the cyclist. The picture shows how we use forests to get out, and how magnificent it can be. In a way, the trees grow right up to the sky," explained Sune Enevoldsen.

Third place went to Helle Rochat for the photo ‘Cattle farming’, taken in Frederikshaldparken in Odder, Denmark.

“Ants keep aphids like cattle and milk them for the sweet sugary honeydew,” she explained.

The prizes

For first place, Naja Bertolt Jensen wins a gift card from XL-BYG shop. Mr. Trebbien receives beautiful forest photo posters from artist Susanne Weitemeyer, and Ms. Rochat a copy of the book "Friluftsrollinger" (“Outdoor-kids”) written by Julie Pio Kragelund from Muusman Forlag.

To discover more images entered into PEFC Denmark’s contest, head to Instagram and look for #tætpåskoven2021