If there is a magical place in winter, it’s Lofoten. The majestic mountains covered in snow is a photographers dream - in sunshine, overcast and snow. Actually I prefer the overcast conditions - it gives the landscape a moody and dramatic appearance. Don’t get me wrong - It’s beautiful in sunshine, with a chance of mountain reflections in the water, but to my taste, it can become a bit to postcard like.
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Met Thomas at the airport 05.00, boarded SK452 bound for Harstad via Oslo, picked up our rental car and drove 4 hours to our base in Reine, Lofoten.
On our way to Reine, we stoped at Lofotr Viking Museum. A full size reconstruction of the worlds largest longhouse from the Viking age.
Mild frost and zero wind made a reflection shot possible at a small fjord near Henningsvær.
Checked in at our rental which would be our base for 5 days, had a quick lunch and drove to a photography must in Lofoten, Uttakliev Beach
Uttakleiv Beach on Vestågøy, with its big boulders and impressive mountain as a backdrop, is attracts photographers like bees to honey.
Day 2. Early morning view from our living room. Had a quick breakfast and planned our photo schedule for the day.
Our first stop would be Hamnøy, taking the iconic shot of the small red houses from the bridge. To get there, we had to drive around the inlet and and the conditions looked promising.
The view of the red rorbours and Olstind in the background, must be one of the most photographed motives in Lofoten - and for a good reason. We’re seen pictures with photographers lining up at bridge in numbers, but when we arrived, we where pleasantly surprised - only 5 people on the bridge. The view is amazing from early morning to late night. It’s almost impossible to take a picture which haven’t been taken before, but being there, it’s not to be missed.
We spend an hour on the bridge hoping to shot the morning sun catching Olstind - our patience was rewarded.
A bit further down the bridge, a small plateau close to the water, made it possible to shot the sunrise reflected in the ice and mountains.
We left the bridge and Hamnøy heading for Skagsanden Beach. The morning light had shifted from warm to cool tones.
Skagsanden beach´s flat sand offer some excellent reflections of Husting in the shallow sea. The water was to chubby for any reflections so an icy beach had to do the job.
A small tide pool and two boulders leading up to Husting.
Returning from Skagsanden - cloudy grey skys rolled in over Hamnøy creating a mystical an ominous feeling. We spend the rest of the day photographing in and around Hamnøy.
On Sakrisøy, the Rorbours are yellow and not the typical red color.
During our walk around Hamnøy, we noticed a path leading up to a hill opposite Sakrisøy. After dinner we returned and walked up the hill to catch Sakrisøy in the twilight. Seeing the light slowly fade and the houses coming alive with their yellow lights, was a scene to be remembered.
A final walk around Hamnøy before heading back to our base.
Day 3. It was still grey sky with some light snow. We decided driving to Å, the most southern town on Lofoten. And it is no mistake - the name only has one letter - Å.
When you leave Reine towards Å, you pass a bridge where Djupfjord runs out in the ocean. It was cleared up a bit, so the snowy mountains made a good contrast to the green water and patches of blue sky.
Before you reach Å you pass Moskenes where you can take the ferry to Bodø on mainland Norway.
Reaching Å, It was stormy and snowing. The red houses against the grey sky and white snow - optimal photo conditions in my mind to portray Lofoten.
The small red houses - or rorbours was originally housing for the fishermen, but now it is mainly used as rentals for tourists.
Coming back from Å, you pass a bridge to reach Hamnøy.
The waters around Hamnøy where very clear with a green / turquoise color, made even more visible against the white snow.
The racks for drying fish, mostly cod, is another typical sight. The dryed fish is an important economic factor for Lofoten in the winter season. The cool temperature and strong winds are optimal conditions for drying the fish.
The view from Hamnøy bridge changes constantly depending on the light.
After spending the afternoon in Hamnøy it was time to head back for dinner.
Day 4. Blue sky, so of to Henningsvær to check out the biggest town on Lofoten, but of course one more shot from the bridge taking advantage of snowdusted landscape with the red huts.
The fresh fallen snow gave the landscape a very distinct graphical look.
Berefore reaching Henningsvær, we passed Skagsanden to see if we could get our refection shots. This time the conditions where optimal so we finally managed to get what we came for.
Henningsvær is located on several small islands. To get there from Austågøya you have to pass Henningværv bridge. Due to its traditional fishing village architecture it is a popular tourist destination.
The evening approached. The setting sun casted a soft golden light over Sakrisøy - an appropriate farewell to our last night on Lofoten
Day 5. Sadly we had to leave, but our flight back home was not before late afternoon, so we managed to get some shots along the way to the airport.
The scale of the landscape is monumental. The small dot in the fjord is a fishing boat.
Our last impression of Lofoten was fitting enough, a single red hut in a vast black & white landscape. 5 days passed all to quickly and its no wonder why Lofoten have got such a reputation among photographers - its truly an arctic winter wonderland.