Friday Photo #547 – The Flow Of Fog

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Photo: Sea fog over Bunes beach swirls around mountain peaks from Helvetestind, Lofotodden national park, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 13, 2017. 22:59

A northern wind on a hot summer day is always something that I’m weary of in weather forecasts, as this is the bringer of the fog monster to the yttersia – outer coast of Lofoten. Several times each summer I have to alter my planned hiking or camping locations due to the fog as it is better to stay on the sunny southern side of the islands than sitting in the cold, dark for cloaking the northern side.

However, if you can get above the fog, which usually rises no higher than 400-500m, then you will be standing above a sea of clouds and with mountain peaks rising like islands in the sky. On this particular night during a photo workshop several years ago we had simply planned for an evening at Bunes beach and to return sometime after midnight. However, before even leaving Reine, I could see fog flowing over the pass and down into Vindstad, so i knew a change of plans would be likely.

Though the fog was still initially somewhat light and the sun appeared from time to time, it was evident that it would mostly be a waste of time hanging around Bunes beach all evening, so I decided for plan b, and took the group up Helvetestind – hiking guide here, which I was confident would remain above the fog.

In my opinion, the view from Helvetestind over Bunes beach is one of the best to be found in Lofoten. Arriving at the summit this evening, there was no beach to be seen, only an ocean of fog. I’ve already posted a couple other images from this evening serval years ago: Friday Photo #233, and Friday Photo #245, but never this version of the scene.

The below image is just a normal shutter speed photo. I’n my opinion it’s just a bit ‘ehhh…’ and I would have rather had a view of the beach below in this case. In the above image though, using a 10 stop neutral density filter for a 60 second exposure, you can see how the movement of the fog completely transforms the image into something much more dynamic and interesting. Here, With the peaks rising over the flowing fog, I’m okay without being able to see the beach below. Which also reminds me that I haven’t been to Helvetestind in a couple years, so probably time to head out there soon!

Head over to my Instagram account for (almost) daily postings of the local conditions here on Lofoten: @distant.north

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 24-70 f/2.8
24mm
ISO 50
f 13
60 Seconds
WB Daylight
10 Stop ND filter

Hiker on summit of Helvetestind mountain peak takes in view over coastal fog, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway

Friday Photo #546 – June Wildflowers

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Photo: June wildflowers overlooking Nappstraumen at midnight, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 22,2020. 23:53

I often see searches for the best time to visit Lofoten, which, in my opinion, is an almost impossible question to answer in that it entirely personal and there are so many variables. Even beyond the unpredictable and ever changing weather, there are a myriad of other micro elements that may make one person prefer one time and year while the next is looking for something else entirely. So there is not a one size fits all answer to when is ‘best’ to visit Lofoten.

The above being said, if there is a mood or feeling I look forwards to every year, it is walking around the lush, flower filed meadows of early summer sometime late in the evening after I’ve lost track of time, as time no longer matters. Perhaps it is merely because the long and cold winter is still a recent memory, or the fresh green has only been around a couple weeks. Or maybe it is because I know the midnight sun will shine in the sky for another month, so I know I still have many days of summer ahead to enjoy.

A nice and warm summer evening in June is one of my favorite times just the be here and and enjoy the timelessness of it all. Photographically, it is almost impossible to capture essence of it all as it is much more than a frozen moment in time. Much like I don’t think an image of the northern lights can fully capture the experience of seeing them dance overhead. A nice summer evening in the north is something that must be experienced.

So is it the best time of year? I don’t know. But for living on Lofoten, it is a necessary part of the circle of seasons and something I look forward to.

Head over to my Instagram account for (almost) daily postings of the local conditions here on Lofoten: @distant.north

Camera Info:
Nikon D850
Nikon 24-70 f/2.8
45mm
ISO 100
f 5
1125 Second
WB Daylight

Friday Photo #545 – Twilight Ferry

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Photo: MF Landegode ferry sailing into midnight twilight crossing from Moskenesøy to Bodø, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 27, 2022. 23:54

The beginning of June sees the ferries switch from their winter timetable of 2 crossings per day to the summer schedule, of 8 crossings per day and ferries running round the clock between Bodø and Moskenes. If you are driving to Lofoten from further south, it is likely that you’ll arrive on one of these ferries. And if you’re lucky, it will be a calm sailing like this. If you’re unlucky, well…

You can find more info about the ferries at: Getting to Lofoten

Here I was actually returning to Moskenes after a few days out of Værøy, a wonderful small island itself. I would like to travel out there more often, but unfortunately, the winter ferry schedule does not have good connections between Moskenes and Værøy, so its really only possible in the summer.

I always enjoy the challenge of trying to identify the peaks from sea, as it’s not a direction I see them from very often. Here, the highest peak is Skottind, decending to Nonstind/Ballstadheia, the high point at the front of the boat. While the area further in the distance are the mountains around Justadtind.

Head over to my Instagram account for (almost) daily postings of the local conditions here on Lofoten: @distant.north

Camera Info:
Nikon Z7 II
Nikon 24-200mm f/4-6.3
200mm
ISO 250
f 6.3
1/500 Second
WB Daylight

Friday Photo #544 – Måstad Shadows

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Photo: Mountain shadows surround the village of Måstad, Værøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 26, 2022. 16:28

Formerly home to up to 150 people at the beginning of the 1900’s, the isolated village of Måstad slowly became depopulated after WW2 as the located proved to be too isolated for the upcoming modern world. Now, only a few houses remain, mostly used as summer holiday homes, in the roadless village, reached only by foot or boat.

In the old days, Puffins were a source of food, and the villagers would hike over the steep mountains to the nesting cliffs of the far side. This picture is taken from one of those old trails, as I was on the way to Måhornet – hiking guide here, the southern most peak on Værøy.

Normally, I would like a little more dramatic weather, as mid-day blue sky is pretty boring and harsh. In this case though, I like the jagged shadows of the mountain ridge as it almost frames the village. On my way back down from the mountain the sun had already fallen too low and the entire area was now in the shadow, and the scene had lost all impact.

Head over to my Instagram account for (almost) daily postings of the local conditions here on Lofoten: @distant.north

Camera Info:
Nikon Z7 II
Nikon 14-30mm f/4
19mm
ISO 100
f 8
1/320 Second
WB Daylight

Friday Photo #543 – Håen Værøy

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Photo: View west from Håen over Måstadvika and mountains of Måstadfjellet, Værøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 25, 2022. 12:22

Outside of ‘mainland’ Lofoten, the view from Håen on Værøy is another one of Lofoten’s most iconic views. For some reason though, it was only last summer that I visited Værøy for the first time, and I instantly fell in love with the little island. To me, it felt like returning to what Lofoten was 15-20 years ago; a calm and relaxing place without all the bucket list urgency that seems to exist on Lofoten these days.

Probably best know for this view from Håen – hiking guide here – Værøy actually has a nice variety of well developed trails. Enough to keep one busy for a few days at least. The longest hike, to Måhornet – hiking guide here – the mountain in the far distance is quite a nice adventure along the coastline before climbing the old trail used by villagers to access the puffin cliffs on the far side of the island.

I have a somewhat busy schedule this summer, but hopefully I can get back out to Værøy again to finish up a few more hikes. I like to go later in the autumn, but unfortunately, the ferry schedule from Moskenes only really works during the summer. During the winter schedule, there is only 1-2 connections per week, making more planning and time on the island required. But northern lights from this view could be worth the effort!

Head over to my Instagram account for (almost) daily postings of the local conditions here on Lofoten: @distant.north

Camera Info:
Nikon Z7 II
Nikon 14-30mm f/4
16mm
ISO 100
f 9
1/320 Second
WB Daylight