Project & Licensing Info

AVANTO: COLD WATER AND A HOLE IN THE ICE

Photographer:

Project Description:

I was visiting my hometown Tampere in Finland early January, a few years ago. It is always exciting to see places with new eyes, after being away for so many years. One of my favorite places is the lakeside called Rauhaniemi. It is a swimming place by the huge lake Näsijärvi, the biggest lake in that area. In the summer Rauhaniemi Kansankylpylä (Rauhaniemi People’s Spa) is full of people enjoying sunbathing, ice-cream, coffee and swimming in the fresh lake water. Rauhaniemi was built 1929 and now has  two saunas and a little coffee bar.  

  

When arriving the temperature meter in my car was showing - 24 C (- 11 F ). I was expecting to find snowy trees and buildings by the frozen lake. To my surprise, the place was full of people swimming in the frozen lake. A little smoke coming out from the chimney was telling me that at least they would have the warm Sauna after the swim. People from all ages were doing their daily ritual.  

  

I needed extra warm gloves to hold my Leica M 240 with Summilux 1.4 50 mm lens. I was first wondering how the swimmers would react to me pointing the camera to them and wearing my thickest winter clothing and looking like North Pole explorer, while they just had bikinis and swimming pants.  

  

Everyone was super positive. One thing I needed to promise to them was that I will do the polar plunge myself after my photo session. The sauna was ready and doors opened at one a clock in the afternoon, which only gave me about two hours daylight to shoot before it started to get dark again. I went back there shooting 4 times and ending up swimming maybe six times. It was an amazing experience: spiritual, breathtaking, invigorating and, of course, cold.

Cities 
Shot in:

Tampere

States /
Provinces
Shot in:

Countries
Shot in:

Finland

Year
Started:

Year
Finished:

In Progress

Themes:

Specialties:

Adventure / Outdoor

Uses:

Editorial

Motion
Available:

Video/Film

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