A Visit to Lofoten in Winter
Sunday 2 April 2023, 20:10 by Nando Harmsen | 3,320 views | 10 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
In March, I went to Lofoten in Norway once again. This time I was not leading a photography trip. It was a photography trip for my girlfriend and me. We spent more than a week enjoying untouched landscapes and a touch of the Northern Lights.
In this article, I want to tell you about our trip to Lofoten. It is an area I know like the back of my hand, and I know where to find every nook and cranny for the best photos. In recent years, I have always gone as a photography trip leader. But not this time.
As enjoyable as it is to lead a photography group, it has one disadvantage. I do not have the peace and quiet to photograph at my leisure. That does not mean I cannot take photos, but not in the way I normally do.
This time, that was possible. It was wonderful to go somewhere without the pressure of a schedule or having to take others into account. That gives you the chance not to photograph for a while, and to enjoy the landscape and the peace and quiet around you.
We also went to other places. That means we did not visit the well-known beaches, but instead went to the other beautiful locations. We also went exploring, and saw things that would otherwise be skipped.
We had both good luck and bad luck. We had the chance to photograph a moose and its calf in a beautiful place with a lovely background. We were lucky to see stunning Northern Lights on the very first evening. It was not for nothing that we did not return until the morning twilight.
It was unlucky, however, that the Northern Lights activity was not very high. We did not see any spectacular outbursts, because they simply did not happen. But it is always a gamble, because the time you spend there is limited.
It was a wonderful trip with fantastic moments. Nothing had to be done, and anything was possible. It was an adventure of discovery, and we were able to make some more beautiful images. We have only just returned, but I could go back again tomorrow.
Enjoy the photos, and hopefully they will provide some inspiration. You can find more images on my Flickr account, including photos from previous years.
About the author
Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.
You might also like
-
An inspiring trip to Lofoten, Norwayby Nando Harmsen
-
Tips for a photography trip. Part 3: know your cameraby Nando Harmsen
-
How do you deal with photos on a photography tripby Nando Harmsen
-
Locations on holiday and day tripsby Nando Harmsen
-
Tips for a photography trip. Part 1: The camera bagby Nando Harmsen
-
Street photography tip: Capture winter in colour and black and whiteby Michiel Heijmans
10 comments
-
Jax wrote on Tuesday 4 April 2023 at 10:27 | replyNice photos, especially the last one. Just a question: when I take a photo of snow, the snow is usually blue. Not in yours, is that a matter of post-processing or can you also do something with the camera settings to get the desired result?
Translated from Dutch. -
Nando
wrote on Tuesday 4 April 2023 at 10:38
| reply
Thank you for your rectie Jax,
Translated from Dutch.
The snow takes on the color of the ambient light. If the light is blue (blue hour), then the color also becomes blue. If the light is orange (sunset), then it also turns orange.
Shadows also become blue(er). Always, especially during the day this is noticeable. In the last photo this is very clearly visible, but the other photos also show those color nuances.
Only when there is diffuse light can you show white as white. Under an evenly overcast sky, that is. But here too, pay attention to a good white balance. -
Lauran wrote on Tuesday 4 April 2023 at 13:14 | replyCertainly nice photos. But why do all tourists always go to the Lofoten?
Translated from Dutch.
A little further north the Vesteralen log. Stunning and less touristy.
Regards Lauran -
Nando
wrote on Tuesday 4 April 2023 at 14:23
| reply
That's right, there is much more: Vesteralen, Senja, and countless more places like that. I chose Lofoten because it feels like coming home every time. I know the places, I know the situations.
Translated from Dutch.
It's a choice, Lauran. Nothing more, nothing less. -
Lauran wrote on Tuesday 4 April 2023 at 17:11 | replyOh Nando, don't get me wrong. Nothing wrong with your choice but I personally always choose the places that are the least touristy. Ever been to Spitsbergen? You definitely should.
Translated from Dutch. -
Nando
wrote on Tuesday 4 April 2023 at 17:18
| reply
When I go from one location to another, and spend a limited amount of time there, I feel more like a tourist than when I go to a place more often. Knowing the surroundings gives you more opportunity for unique photos. I go to places I like, and pay less attention to whether or not they are touristy. If I were to do that, I might as well stay home.
Translated from Dutch.
That also applies to Vesteralen, and Spitsbergen. It is so beautiful to sail on that boat with the red sail, but the photos will probably be the same as everyone else's. That's not a punishment though, but you only achieve the unique when you know the place, and have been there more often.
If I get the opportunity, I will certainly visit Spitsbergen. But unfortunately, a piggy bank has a bottom... -
-
-
Lauran wrote on Wednesday 5 April 2023 at 12:23 | reply
It is the choice I make, Nando. You do not decide that. And no, I do not know your budget.
Translated from Dutch. -
Albert Wester
wrote on Tuesday 11 April 2023 at 22:51
| reply
After having been to Finnish Lapland in January, now making plans to go to Vestrålen, around Ringstad and Bø. That will probably be at the end of this year or the beginning of next year and then for a week or 2. Possibly also hop over to the Lofoten for a bit. Obviously for the northern lights but certainly also the rough weather and likewise landscape!
Translated from Dutch.
Have your say
Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.
Become a better photographer every week
A practical photography tip in your inbox every week.
39,179 photography enthusiasts already receive the tips! More about the weekly mail. Or keep up to date via 
Facebook.
Elja Trum
Photofacts; everything to do with photography!
Would you like to take better photos and keep up with what is happening in photography? Photofacts publishes articles that teach you something about photography — from a product announcement to a practical shooting tip or a look at a website. Photofacts covers photography every day and is a hobby project of Elja Trum's that got out of hand. The articles are written by a team of volunteer authors. If you would enjoy writing one or more articles for Photofacts, do get in touch.More about PhotofactsPhotofacts is made possible in part by
