Celebrated Wildlife Photographer Exposed as Fraud in Sweden

Two unrelated but strangely similar cases of deception are currently getting a lot of ink in Norway and Sweden. A famous wildlife photographer who faked his photos personality and authorwho faked his life in the wilderness are both examples of how things are not always what they seem, even in businesses where authenticity is everythingAward-winning wildlife photographerhas become one of this week’s least popularpeople in Sweden since it was discovered that he faked hundreds of photos over the course of several years.Helleso, 47, who lives in the small town of Mullsjo in southern Sweden, was awarded Photographer ofthe Year by theSwedish EnvironmentalAgency in 2010, and has been involved in an ongoing project in documenting the lynxa local official for a hunter’s association accused Helleso of doctoring photos,after being tipped offThe official, Gunnar Gloersenthat one of the lynxes in a summer photo had winter fur, andafter that several discrepancies turned up started examining Helleso’s pictures and soon found even morewho is famous not only for his art, but also for being a strong advocate of keeping digital photography real and speaking out against manipulation or theft of material, denied everything initially.But as evidence mounted, includinganimations showing exactly how animals from stock photoson the net turned up in his picturesadmitted to everything aily updates have appeared in national detailing the famous photographer’sdisgrace, and several foreignespecially photographer’s magazines, have also picked up on the story.a deeply regretful Helleso spoke to local He gave economic problems as a reason, but mostly it was about his own unreasonably high demands on himself to be successful,I was under pressure, mostly from myself, and I gave in to temptation. Looking back, I’m surprisedthat I got away with it for so long, and that I managed to keep up appearances to my wife and everyone elseHelleso has now been stripped of his award, had charges of fraud filed against him, been expelledfrom the Wildlife Photographers Association and his career is likely over. Added to thatmovement where people make their own has appeared, with badly stuffedanimals in winter landscapesthe famous picture of American soldiers raising On a curiously similar note, another Norwegiansuccessful authorpersonality Kristian Clausen, admitted to faking his primitive life in the wildernessIn 2009 and 2010starred in his own documentary show, where he lived a primitive life in the forest, surviving completely on hunting, fishing, and foraging with no contact with societyso people thought. In reality, Clausen resorted to cheating on several occasions. He spent several days at a hotel at one time, and another time he went shopping in a town while that he was subsisting on seaweed. For at least a month he lived in a small hut, and not outside in the woods. Clausen is now regretful, as expectedIf I was the only one to suffer for my actions, it would have been fine, but there is also my family and friends and my fans. I’ve made a fool of myself, basically, and I’m going to have to live it down,