WINNERS

The Portal

  • Photographer
    Alexandra Stroganova, Finland
  • Prize
    Bronze Winner in Nature/Other

Halfway through my 82 km hike along the Karhunkierros path in Oulanka National Park, Finnish Lapland, I stumbled upon a tree bent into the shape of a perfect triangle. Framed by shadows and light, the tree resembled a mythical portal, a silent threshold to other realms. Is the boreal forest giving some sign? Could this be a doorway into the unknown? The absence of colour deepens the sense of mystery, turning the scene into a dreamscape where nature seems to hint at other realms.