Nordland – The Unseen Land

Nordland

Join this 8 day unique arctic adventure to some of the finest unknown locations in Northern Norway. The northern parts of Norway is filled with amazing places that hardly anyone photographs. This is your chance to visit some amazing places and take 100% unique photos and the chance of experiencing the greatest show on earth, the Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights.

Our target for this trip is the huge area called Nordland. The southern part of this region has some of the most incredible landscapes in Norway. The coast of Helgeland up to Narvik holds some truly incredible locations which we will explore on this trip.

On this trip we will focus on creating personal work. We will go to far off places by boat and by car. We will shoot mountains, fjords, beaches, glaciers. We will shoot grand scenes and small intimate abstract scenes. We will shoot forests and minimalistic scenes looking like Hokkaido.

Our focus is on finding your personal frequency as a photographer. On slowing down, working the scenes without stress and disturbing elements. Taking your photos from snapshots to fine art work. Long exposure work and developing your skills in using filters. We will dig deep this week!

We will stay in some special places. No big hotels, but smaller personal places where service and food are first class. I have found gems all over the longest region in Norway – Nordland.

The main attraction of this trip however, is the solitude you will find in these places. Hardly anyone knows about the spots we are visiting and its very unlikely you will ever see any other photographers. Its totally off the radar for the rest of the world, and we want to keep it that way.  The landscape is wild and almost untouched, and the light in this period of the year can be extraordinary. Highlights include fjords and jagged granite mountains with lots of seascape opportunities, the Northern Lights and tons more. Photo opportunities are lurking around every corner.

We will start out trip in Bodø, then head south from here before returning northwards and ending our trip at Evenes after exploring almost the entire Nordland County. 3 days will be spent at the incredible island Kjerringøy as well as 1 night in a lighthouse!

Keep in mind the the weather is notoriously unpredictable. Conditions and light changes constantly, so please be sure to read our “must-bring” clothing and gear lists provided by email upon registration.

GUIDED BY ARILD HEITMANN & STIAN KLO

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get there ?

The easiest way to get to the meeting point is via Oslo Gardermoen airport (OSL code). From there, you fly to Harstad/Narvik Evenes airport (EVE code). Domestic flights in Norway can be purchased from www.sas.no, www.norwegian.no 

What level of photography is required ?

All of ours tours, workshops and masterclasses are open to beginners as well as professionals. Our only criteria is that you have a great passion for photography, and have the energy and motivation to be on the go every day and night.

What should I bring ?

Since we are exploring the high arctic and northern Norway archipelago’s, you have to be well equipped for all kinds of dramatic weather including rainfall. Bring comfortable, warm and waterproof outer layers such as Gore-tex, thermal underwear, crampons and water resistant boots or even waders. A complete list of recommended clothes as well as camera gear will be provided upon registration. We don’t have clothes or shoes available for renting.

Will I experience snow or ice ?

Most likely yes. February is the month with most snow and we hope for tons of snow and ice!

Will I see and photograph the Northern lights?

Yes, most likely. February is one of the best times to see and photograph the northern lights.

What kind of weather can I expect ?

The weather and climate in northern Norway is renowned for being extremely unpredictable because of it’s many local weather systems. This means conditions can change within minutes and kilometres, also resulting in very dramatic light and photographic opportunities. Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at a similar latitude, such as Greenland and Alaska. This is due to the temperature of the water of the Gulfstream. The coastal climate results in mild winters and cool summer temperatures. Traditionally, January and February are the coldest months with an average temperature of -1 degrees celsius. 

What camera gear should I bring?

At the very least, bring your own camera, lenses, tripod and a laptop. A detailed list of recommendations will be provided upon registration. If you are considering upgrading or investing in new camear gear prior to the trip, feel free to ask us for advice.

What is the itinerary going to be like ?

We don’t operate with a fixed itinerary on any of our workshops. It’s a full on photography tour/workshop, so the activities are planned around sunrise, sunset and night photography excursions. The whole archipelago is packed with locations, so the weather and light conditions will decide where we will go. That being said though, we have a list of locations we will visit throughout the week, but we don’t know which day or time of day we will visit that specific location.