Special Forces

I was on my flight coming back to Finland from Spain when the speakers went on and the co-pilot informed us that the ice-hockey game between Finland and Sweden was 1-0 for the swedes. "Sweden will win again", said some of the people behind me. When we finally landed in Helsinki and some of the guys in the plane turned on their radios the game was 6-1, Finland not only was winning but they were kicking Sweden's ass with only few more seconds to go. Finland won the Ice-Hockey World Championship and freaking 6-1!!!

On my way to the centre, the city had gone wild, I have never seen Helsinki filled with so much euphoria and joy, the only thing I wanted was to join them and celebrate but had to return to my duties as a military.

The next day, me and my other combat camera buddy Markus, had to leave to film the special forces in action and on our way we were told that everyone in our department had been granted a day off to go and celebrate with the Hockey Team on their return but our pain was alleviated when we found out what our next couple of days involved: Helicopter rides, speed boats, fighter jets, the finnish "SWAT" Team...so not bad at all, a week full of action!

Here's a glimpse of our first two days:

Story: Niko Ståhlberg    Photos: Markus Kontiainen, Niko Ståhlberg

Midnight Hawks

                                                                                                                                            This is where we want to be!

We just came back from another incredible few days filming the "Midnight Hawks" up in the north of Finland. One of the many amazing experiences we as the Combat Camera team have had until now and the one that keeps us insisting on our Senior Lieutenant Tommi to try to get us into the plane to experience the adrenaline we have only been able to contemplate from down below as the planes rush through the air preparing their stunts for their Midnight Sun Airshow.

Niko Ståhlberg

"When the requirements are tough, Combat Camera will give you magic stuff!" 

Niko Ståhlberg

Mikko Koivua kuvaamassa Ruotuväkeen

Ruotuväen kuvaajan ollessa toisella keikalla, jouduin tuuraamaan häntä ja lähtemään Lahteen. NHL-joukkue Minnesota Wildsin kapteeni Mikko Koivu astui asepalvelukseen. Paikalla oli kaikki Suomen suurimmat TV-kanavat ja sanomalehdet. Mikko oli ihan rento kaveri ja sain hyviä kuvia. Muut lehtikuvaajat tulivat kiinnostuneena kyselemään että mitä mediaa minä edustan, kun oli firman kurkkusalaatit päällä ja Combat Camera-merkki hihassa. Oli siellä yksi vanha ruotuväen kuvaajakin, joka muuten työskentelee tällä hetkellä Iltalehdessä. Nämä ruotuväen kuvauskeikat ovat kyllä ihan kivaa vaihtelua toimistossa istumiselle ja videoiden editoimiselle. Ja mikäs sen mukavampaa kuin lähteä ajelemaan Lahteen ja kuvailemaan kun ulkona paistaa aurinko ja kevät on parhaimmillaan.

 Markus Kontiainen