Start of the journey
The journey started in Bodø, where we arrived after a layover in Oslo from Amsterdam.
The journey started in Bodø, where we arrived after a layover in Oslo from Amsterdam.
On the Ferry from Bodø to Moskenes
Arrival on the Lofoten Islands
Hamnøy
The Lofoten classic view, photographed one day apart from on top the bridge, the last one underneath.
The Lofoten classic view, photographed one day apart from on top the bridge, the last one underneath.
Village life
Picturesque little villages everywhere. Very well maintained with colors spanning the entire rainbow, however most were either red or amber colored.
Picturesque little villages everywhere. Very well maintained with colors spanning the entire rainbow, however most were either red or amber colored.
Pre-snow storm
Just about 30 minutes later
Beautiful red Reine - seagulls everywhere when fishermen are out and about.
Cabins
Scattered across the landscape, these simple cabins provided bright, colorful contrast against the winter scenery. Often standing alone, they added a feeling of solitude and resilience to the raw Arctic environment.
Scattered across the landscape, these simple cabins provided bright, colorful contrast against the winter scenery. Often standing alone, they added a feeling of solitude and resilience to the raw Arctic environment.
Textures
Constantly changing weather revealed beautiful textures across the landscape — from thawed shores to fresh snow. Plenty to capture before it all changed again.
Constantly changing weather revealed beautiful textures across the landscape — from thawed shores to fresh snow. Plenty to capture before it all changed again.
After the tide receded, seaweed was left exposed on the shoreline. A layer of snow settled on top and began to freeze. While the sea in Lofoten stays just above freezing all winter thanks to the Gulf Stream, the exposed shoreline cools rapidly under Arctic air.
Beautiful rocks at the sea side and a small village in the distance. Red algae coloring the rocks.
Snowy mountain tops everywhere.
Fresh water ice in a lake.
The Roads
Often slippery with snow and ice, but with studded tires it was no problem getting around.
Often slippery with snow and ice, but with studded tires it was no problem getting around.
Hamnøy and the bridge offering the classic view.
Road to Nusfjord.
After a few days of temperatures just above freezing, the snow almost entirely melted away.
Solidude
We found a pristine beach where we camped for a few days, wanting to be as close to nature as possible. I set my alarm to wake up five times a night to check for the aurora borealis. Unfortunately, during these days it was nothing but snow and dark skies — beautiful and moody nonetheless.
We found a pristine beach where we camped for a few days, wanting to be as close to nature as possible. I set my alarm to wake up five times a night to check for the aurora borealis. Unfortunately, during these days it was nothing but snow and dark skies — beautiful and moody nonetheless.
Just before bedtime, shoving some snow against the tent against the wind.
Post-sunrise droning around camp.
Pre-sunrise very early in the morning.
Our two tents on an arctic snowy beach with the famous tropical looking Lofoten water.
Aurora Borealis
After days of cloudy skies, we finally got lucky: two unforgettable nights of aurora activity. At one point, the sky erupted with such intensity that it may have been a small coronal mass ejection. Shooting straight up with a 14mm (±116° FOV) lens turned the entire frame into a glowing green explosion.
After days of cloudy skies, we finally got lucky: two unforgettable nights of aurora activity. At one point, the sky erupted with such intensity that it may have been a small coronal mass ejection. Shooting straight up with a 14mm (±116° FOV) lens turned the entire frame into a glowing green explosion.
Lined up with a mountain backdrop
Aurora selfie
Returned one night to the beach we camped at, there had been a lot of snow melt so it wasn't as snowy as when we camped.
Reflections in a tide pool.
Aurora Corona, movement was unimaginable fast; literally strobing.
Earlier in the trip we witnessed some brief glances of aurora, only my camera could pick it up though. Nothing to be seen with the naked eye.
Henningsvær
A beautiful, lively, little village spanning across multiple smaller islands.
A beautiful, lively, little village spanning across multiple smaller islands.
Inner harbor.
A fishermen 1:1
Colorful life in the arctic.
Overview image.
Sports field almost entirely hidden underneath the snow. At the top left of the little island you can see the hanging racks where they dry hang Cod fish.
Panoramas
Two panorama's capturing the scale and drama of Lofoten's rugged landscape.
After ten days of chasing the light, enduring storms, and seeing the Arctic at its most raw and beautiful, this trip left me humbled and inspired. Until next time, Lofoten.