Friday Photo #638 – Snow and No Snow

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Photo: Snow and no snow at Haukland, Vestvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. March 17, 2025. 09:55. And March 6, 2025. 12:40

In the last days of March it finally feels like spring is in the air and that winter is coming to an end. However, much of the winter so far has already felt this way already. For many visitors to Lofoten this winter season, snow has been a rare element on the islands, and many weeks looked more like May or October than January, February, or March.

That is not to say there hasn’t been a lot of snow this winter as well, as there has been. But more often than not, a nice snowfall has been followed by warm rain and then an extended period of mild weather. Particularly so in February, which ended up being 2.8˚c warmer than normal. For Lofoten’s already fine balance between snow and rain, this tipped the scales heavily in the rain direction this year.

Lofoten was not alone in the mild weather this year. Much of northern Norway experienced the same and rain was no stranger in Tromsø or Senja either. So the difference of winter wonderland or brown dead grass was just a bit of luck this year – more so than most years. Hopefully a little more snow falls in the following weeks, as after two months of back to back photo workshops, now that I have some free time, I’d at least like to be able to pull out my skis for a mountain or two!

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 24-120mm f/4
40mm
ISO 100
f 6.3
1/400 Second
WB Daylight

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 24-120mm f/4
41mm
ISO 200
f 8
1/500 Second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #637 – March Aurora

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Photo: Aurora Highway – moonlit northern lights rise into the sky over Gimsøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. March 24, 2024. 22:17

Eight months after their first appearance in Lofoten’s night sky, the northern lights will soon be making their departure for brief summer break. Out of all the weather, seasons, climates, etc of Lofoten throughout the year, the northern lights are actually the longest lasting of all. They are not there every night, of course, but nothing else in Lofoten’s natural world hangs around for 8 months of the year. So, with as much mystery and awe there is, the northern lights are one of Lofoten’s most frequent events.

I guess what makes them special is they only occur in the north, where few people live. Anywhere else there can be a nice sunset, pretty autumn colours, etc. But the aurora are in the north. Though personally, the longer I’m here, I now probably get more excited about a 20˚c summer day – which is definitely more rare!

But at this time of year, I’m content with my last aurora nights, which are actually my favourite, with the horizon still glowing in the north. Now it’s hopefully time for a bit of skiing in the last of the snow and then waiting for summer green to arrive and all that brings with it. But this year will also be a busy one and hopefully some long term projects I’ve kept a bit quiet about with will find completion.

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Sigma 14.. f/1.8
14mm
ISO 1250
f 2.2
2.5 Seconds
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #636 – End Of The Road

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Photo: View across the sea from the cliffs at Å to Værøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. February 18, 2024. 13:49

I make frequent visits to the end of the road at Å each winter and despite being quite familiar with the location, still find it a bit of difficult place to photograph. I think mainly that the mountains of Lofoten – mostly out of frame on the right of the image – can be so dominant, that it’s often hard to find balance in the scene.

The best conditions are when there’s a moderately stormy sea – which can be safely approached – to use the flowing waves as a foreground while looking a bit more towards that mountains than in this photo.

The 2nd best conditions are probably in this image, when there is a nice fresh layer of snow all the way to the edge of the cliffs. Without the snow the rocks and grass are a bit too messy for my general preference. But I nice layer of snow cleans up the foreground allowing for a little more balance to the location, and in this photo, almost mirroring the sky.

Overall, I’m usually quite happy if I can come away with a decent image from here.

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 24-120mm f/4
46mm
ISO 64
f 9
30 Second
WB Daylight
10 Stop Nisi ND Filter

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Friday Photo #635 – Winter Cormorants

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Photo: Cormorants at dawn, Haukland beach, Vestvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. February 15, 2024. 09:11

As the blue hour light over Haukland beach faded into early dawn I was ready to head off to the next location. But walking back to the van, I thought this row of skarven – cormorants had a nice profile against the distant mountains. And as a beginning wildlife photographer, I thought I might try and get a photo.

I would have liked to shoot a little wider, capturing the whole rock, but unfortunately with the tide level, there was a small rock to the right of the frame which I found too distracting. But in this image I also find the sloping of the rock on the right side a little distracting as well. I think this image has potential, but needs another attempt or two for something better.

The main difficulty though, was waiting for all the birds to have their heads up and in a sideways profile. Had they been sitting in this position the whole time, I probably could have gotten a better composition immediately. But as they were constantly cleaning themselves and moving around, it was really a bit of luck to get them all with their heads up, and not much time to do much else. Next time…

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6
360mm
ISO 800
f 6.3
1/800 Second
WB Daylight

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