Winter Photography Workshop Lofoten Islands
- 7 – 13 February 2021
- 14 – 20 February 2021
- 21- 27 February 2021
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Type of Tour: Landscape photography workshop
Max Participants: 6
Photographers: Marat Stepanoff
Fly-In/Out: Leknes airport
Price: € 1,500
WINTER TALES PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
The Lofoten Islands are one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The fascinating beauty of the Lofoten Islands attracts many photographers from around the world. There are sharp mountain peaks, sandy beaches with turquoise water, fjords, real fishing huts.
In winter, the Lofoten Islands are one of the best places to watch the northern lights. During the workshop we will learn to shoot the Northern Lights, of course, it will depend on the weather, but I believe that nature blesses us. A lot of attention will be paid to the technique of taking pictures of seascapes, and we will shoot mountains and sky. A local woman once told me that the sky in Lofoten is absolutely stunning.
DAY 1
Arrival to the Lofoten Islands. Our photography workshop begins at the hotel in Leknes, in the comfort of pre-booked hotel rooms.
Our winter photography workshop on Lofoten Islands begins.
It’s just a few minutes away by taxi from the airport. Before lunch, we meet in the hotel lobby to meet the group. Later, we enjoy dinner at the expense of the organizers. We begin our journey the next morning.
DAY 2
A comfortable bus will wait for us early in the morning and take us to the Reine. We shoot the sunrise and then go to one of the most beautiful villages of the Lofoten Islands, Nusfjord. In the evening, we take pictures of the Northern Lights in the Reine.
DAY 3
In the morning we head south of the Lofoten Islands to another fishing village, A. This place is a great place for winter sunrise. In the afternoon our way goes to the famous Uttakleiv beach.
DAY 4
Once again, another beautiful sunrise near the islands of Hamnoy and Sakrisoy islands. Haukland beach for sunset on this day. It’s beautiful at this time of the day. Here, with any luck, we’ll shoot the Northern Lights again.
DAY 5
Tonight we have a boat ride on the fjord near the Reine. Tonight we’ll be watching the Northern Lights on Undstad Beach.
DAY 6
In the morning we will see the eastern fjords and an afternoon tour of the famous Viking Museum of the Lofoten Islands. There’s another beach waiting for us in the evening, this is Storsanden.
DAY 7
We are going to Nusfjord to shoot this village at dawn. Our fascinating journey ends. Farewell breakfast at the hotel restaurant, at the expense of the organizers. The airport is only 5-7 minutes away by taxi and each participant can take a taxi from the hotel.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET THERE
Take a flight from Oslo or any other airport to Leknes Airpot. We meet at the center of the arrival hall. Since we have a photo shoot on the first day. Plan your arrival time in the morning or early afternoon.
LEVEL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
All levels of photographers are welcome. The photography workshop is primarily a meeting of like-minded people. Each participant can gain experience and knowledge that he wants to improve. We will do our best to provide instructions on all aspects of image capture and post-processing, no matter if you are a beginner or an experienced photographer.
FITNESS LEVEL
Easy level. During our photography workshop, there will be no long walks. You can always go back to the bus and get warm.
WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE IN LOFOTEN IN FEBRUARY
The Lofoten Islands are located beyond the Arctic Circle, further north than Alaska and Iceland. Usually, in such geographical latitudes, it is freezing, but the Gulf Stream flows along the shores of Lofoten and makes the climate softer bringing heat and moisture along the entire coast of Northern Norway.
In fact, this is an abnormally warm place!
It often rains here. In winter, rain and snow are accompanied by strong gusts of wind.
In winter there is rarely colder than -1 °C (30 °F). But there is a strong wind, and you feel like -5 C or even like -10 C.
Weather changes quickly. Atmospheric fronts come and go. This weather created really terrific conditions for photo shooting.
WHAT TO WEAR
Waterproof … waterproof … waterproof …, heat and Windstopper.
You need a layering system.
Waterproof jacket and pants. It rains in the Lofoten Islands and you need to have the right clothes to protect you from the rain.
Waterproof boots. You do not need to have hiking boots, but your shoes should be waterproof.
Wellingtons. This equipment is not necessary, but desirable. We’ll have shootings on the beaches.
It’s a warm jacket.
Warm hat.
Warm clothes, like convertible mittens. But please don’t bring woolen mittens.
PHOTO EQUIPMENT
- Camera DSLR or mirrorless
- Extra batteries
- Lenses 14-24mm (full-frame), 24-70mm, 70-200mm (optional)
- Сable release
- Tripod. I use a Gitzo carbon tripod and ball head.
- Filters ND, grad ND, polarizer
- Chargers, spare CF/SD cards
- Laptop for editing with software: Lightroom or Photoshop
OUR WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP ON LOFOTEN ISLANDS IS…
A Photography Workshop is the best way to advance your skills quickly, at a pace that suits you. From beginner to the more experienced photographer. We will show you techniques in an easy to understand manner and help you advance to the next level. Our photography workshops are tailored to your own needs and can cover all aspects of landscape photography. You will learn landscape photography via a group workshop and how to get the most out of your camera, filters, tripod and any equipment. We are going to practice creative filter use, such as ND filter for long exposure photography and polarizers for removing reflections and boosting colors. You will learn how to find the best composition, to take amazing pictures in any weather. We will work in the field and learn post-processing.
We will pay particular attention to the post-processing of your images during regular practical classes learning to process our photos together. Each workshop participant will be able to obtain some basic knowledge of post-processing. To study most efficiently, you need to have a laptop with Photoshop or Lightroom.
The weather in the Lofoten Islands is always unpredictable. Therefore, we’ll adjust our route according to actual weather conditions and the photo shooting points can be amended. There are numerous fantastic locations, so we’ll pick what works best for the given conditions.
During the workshop, we will photograph the most popular locations, traditional fishing huts, shoot the Aurora, get the night shooting skills. Surely, the weather won’t always be beautiful, so we have planned dedicated bad weather workshops for you.
IN THE FIELD
- Learning the details of astrophotography and long exposure photography
- Understanding the basic camera settings (Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO)
- Using RAW vs. JPEG
- How to correctly expose an image
- Understanding histogram, focus, and depth of field
- Composition techniques
- How to use Graduated ND Filters to balance out the exposure
- Long exposure photography with ND Filters
- Working in low light and adapting to the changing light during the golden hour
- Capturing scenes with a vast dynamic range
- Applications to help plan the next time you head out for a shoot
- Essential camera equipment for landscape photography
- Understanding Manual Mode
- Using a tripod and shooting handheld
Each student receives help when needed.
POST PROCESSING
- Organizing files
- RAW adjustments
- Editing images with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
- Layer masks in Photoshop
- Remove distracting objects and cleaning up images with content-aware
- Exposure blending with luminosity masks
- Balancing light
- Contrast adjustments
- Other creative modifications
- Sharpening for the web
CRITIQUE SESSIONS
Usually, we select several photos after the morning or evening photography session and edit them together.
PRICING:
- Total price: 1500 € (per person twin share, workshops, etc.).
- Single supplement: 350 €.
- Registration deposit: 500 €.
- Maximum Number of Participants: 6.
- Payment in Full: 90 days prior to the workshop starting date.
Included
- Transfers during the workshop
- Accommodation in a hotel in a double room (€ 350 surcharge for a single accommodation)
- Training and master classes of two professional photographers
Not included
- Flight to Leknes and back
- Meals
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel and back
- Alcoholic drink
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and medicines
- Other expenses
- Visas (if applicable).
- Insurance
We understand that our workshop is the first and foremost vacation and it should be comfortable. Therefore, the transfer during the workshop is carried out on a comfortable bus.
Accommodation will be at the hotel 4 * according to the version of Tripadvisor with two or one-place accommodation. The hotel and nearby there are several restaurants for every taste.
After you signup, we’ll send you a recommended camera gear and packing list. Please pay special attention to things that we say are absolutely required.
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus €300 service fee.
75 days or more: 75% refund
60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund
I highly recommend that you get travel and medical insurance if your domestic government medical insurance will not cover you whilst you are overseas.
DISCLAIMER
In winter, everyone comes to the Lofoten Islands to see Aurora. But because of the clouds or low solar activity, there’s a chance we won’t witness it. There may also be a storm, and we’ll have to cancel the photoshoot on that day. The photoshoot may also be canceled due to heavy snow or icy roads. The personal safety of the workshop participants is our priority.
TOUR LEADERS
Marat Stepanoff
Since 2012, after my first visit to Lofoten, I go there nearly every year. And every time Lofoten for me is an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
In 2017 I wrote a guide for photographers and travelers. This was a fantastic result of my many years of work as a photographer on Lofoten.
I invite you to join our workshop in the Lofoten Islands. Our route is based on my knowledge of these places.
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