Scandinavia Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

Glacier Lodge Eqi – Up Close with Greenland’s Calving Wonder

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:26:12 +0000

Glacier Lodge Eqi, Greenland Thunderous echoes of crashing ice ripple across the bay like a constant chorus of nature’s beat. Nothing can prepare you for the sound of a glacier calving. It’s a clap, crack and deep rumble that rolls across the surface of the water, seemingly gathering pitch and speed. The best part, it’s a delayed sound so you need to really focus and watch the glacier to actually catch a calving in action. If you wait for the sound you’ll always be 7-10 seconds too late due to how sound travels across the fjord. Located a 3.5hr ice breaker boat ride north of Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier is one of the world’s most active and there’s no doubt a visit will include it’s fair share of tumbling ice shows. As the boat cruises through the Ataa Strait, teal coloured water shares the scene with icebergs ranging in sizes from mega mansions through to dinner plates* (*not official measurements 😉). If a long boat ride sounds boring, then you’ve been on board the wrong boats. This one is endlessly fascinating. Every passing iceberg is unique in shape, tone and pattern making the journey a photographer’s buffet of potential shots. Before...

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Shooting in the Low Light Conditions of Polar Night

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 08:02:51 +0000

Photographing in Low Light: Polar Night + Arctic Wilderness Conditions can’t get any darker than dark and that’s what you’re faced with when photographing the landscapes of Lapland during the Polar Night period. It does however have its advantages. While the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon for the months of polar night (mid-winter), it can get pretty close. Instead of sunlight, the sun produces a beautiful pastel tone for about 2-4 hours each day. During this time if the sky is clear, you’re treated to a constant dusk or blue hour, almost ideal conditions for landscape photography without the need to wake up early, or stay out late! Actually, you’ll be photographing ideal twilight conditions at lunch time! The stark contrast between white snow-covered scenery and a colourful sky is akin to walking through a snow globe. Provided you’re equipped to handle the chilly conditions, you can aim to spend those pastel hours snow shoeing through forests in search of that perfect frozen photo. With the incredible stability of the OM SYSTEM cameras (and earlier OM-D systems such as the E-M1 MKII + E-M1 MKIII with Olympus), tripods aren’t a total necessity even when shooting aurora and stars. When...

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Ilulissat, Greenland – A Guide to Photogenic Experiences

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:47:23 +0000

Capture the Magic of Greenland in Ilulissat Ilulissat is somewhere you need to visit in your lifetime if you’re into icebergs and all things arctic. Frozen natural wonders meet a culture that’s as fascinating as it is colourful forming a photogenic dreamscape of possibilities. As Greenland’s third largest city, Ilulissat is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord where the world’s fastest moving glacier funnels icebergs towards Disko Bay. It’s a sight that’s hard to comprehend upon first glace. It’s sheer scale, shapes, patterns and the vast whiteness can take a few days to really soak up so be sure to plan for at least five days! Basing yourself in Ilulissat is a great way to ensure you can take advantage of the many tours and hiking routes that begin in town. Having spent two weeks exploring the region in July, I’ve put together this guide of photogenic experiences should you need a little inspiration for your own trip. Midnight Sun Icefjord Cruise Prepare yourself for what will be one of the best evenings of your life. No question. Before you’ve barely left the harbour at 10pm, the boat will be cruising past floating icebergs, some...

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The Best Places to Photograph Puffins in Iceland + Europe

Christa Rolls — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 23:00:29 +0000

Puffins have been dubbed the clowns of the sea, as their brightly coloured bill and charisma make them irresistible to bird and nature lovers alike. Written by Christa Rolls – Founder of Expedition Wildlife. There are multiple species of puffin in the world, and the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is the only species found in Europe, with over half of the world’s population living in Iceland. Puffins are colonial birds, wherein they nest in large groups to share habitat and food resources and protect themselves against predators. Their colonial nature makes spotting puffins that much easier. Most of the year, from approximately August to March, Puffins remain out to sea, living on the ocean and foraging for food through winter. Their primary diet consists of small fish, such as herring and sand eels, presenting wonderful photography opportunities with fish filled to their bill’s brim. Puffins come back to their breeding grounds, on grassy and steep slopes by coastal cliffs, in full-force starting in April. WHERE TO SEE PUFFINS While cliff-sides and sea stacks may be somewhat arduous to visit, there are a handful of destinations in Europe that allow people the opportunity to see and photograph puffins. The best countries...

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A Photo flight above Sermeq Kujalleq

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 05:04:50 +0000

A Scenic Flight over Sermeq Kujalleq, Greenland With two cameras on my lap, excitement levels were almost out of control as the plane took off from the tiny runway at Ilulissat. Flying over Greenland’s Sermeq Kujalleq glacier has been at the top of my list when planning my return to photograph the wonders of this arctic realm in winter. A scene so epic it’s not only hard to describe but also hard to photograph and add perspective, it’s a challenge I knew would be worth the price of a scenic flight, even if it meant not eating anything more than muesli bars that week. I had planned to capture aerials of the glacier in the warm glow one afternoon. Arctic winters provide a gorgeous pastel colour palette and with limited hours of daylight, it’s essential to pre-plan any outdoor activities if you’re hoping to take advantage of the narrow window of ideal light. What I couldn’t plan for was Covid-19. Assuming I had two full weeks in Greenland, I’d opted to wait for ideal conditions before booking a flight. Our first week had clear skies but freezing cold temperatures which meant the small plane wasn’t able to fly safely once...

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How to Photograph in Freezing Conditions

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:22:33 +0000

Photographing in Cold Climates It might be tad chilly outside but photographing in crazy conditions like this can result in some of the best images you’ll ever take – so get out there…after reading this article! Spoiler alert – your hands will get cold, BUT, there are ways to manage just how cold and ensure your fingers and camera remain in full functioning mode. As an Australian, the extreme chill of an Arctic winter is totally foreign to me. It’s a cold that still, after countless photoshoots in this environment never fails to shock me, give me a dose of reality and remind me that stepping outside without gloves on is not okay. It only takes one episode of frozen fingers to remember the pain. When photographing in temperatures not only below zero but below -20 degrees Celsius, it’s essential to be prepared and plan ahead to make your experience outdoors successful and pleasant because cold hands will quickly ruin any photo mission! Not only of course do you need to manage your own warmth, you need to look out for your camera. Anything you’ve read about battery life can be thrown out the window and depending on what camera...

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Photography Locations on Senja Island, Norway

Ela and Bea of Stunning Outdoors — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 02:11:24 +0000

Far above Arctic Circle sits Norway’s second largest island – Senja. It’s impossible to describe Senja in couple of words; its landscape greatly varies from east to west, hence the island is often called a ‘Norway in miniature’. In eastern part of Senja you’ll find lush green meadows and valleys, dotted by wetlands and small lakes. The western part of Senja however, presents a completely different landscape. The main features of its western coast are countless narrow fjords, in fact when looking at the map, the island looks torn! Reaching far into the ocean are long, mountainous peninsulas. Rugged mountains seem to be rising directly from the ocean; their ridges sharp and rocky. Although Senja’s mountains are not high, they definitely make an incredible impression! Distance-wise, Senja can be visited within a 1 day road trip, but you’ll find it hardly possible to truly soak it all in – the scenery you’ll pass, the colourful villages and amazing viewpoints will all call for a photo, a short walk or a break to take in the view. I’d recommend allowing at least 2-3 days to explore the islands hidden gems. Undoubtedly, you’ll find a piece of heaven when visiting Senja and...

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The Best Photography Locations in the Lofoten Islands

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:39:59 +0000

A Guide to Photo Spots in the Lofoten Islands, Norway They’re rugged, wild and oh so beautiful. The Lofoten Islands are fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for photographers and this guide will show you all the best locations to capture the scenery from all angles. Whether you’re visiting for an adventure packed trip, hiking mountain peaks and kayaking fjords, or if you’re keen for a road trip exploring at your own pace, you’ll be wowed by all that Lofoten offers. Located in Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands are a snow covered wonderland in winter and a sparkling lush outdoor dream in summer. Ever changing weather will keep you and your camera occupied with bright blue skies, moody clouds and striking storms that show the full force of nature’s power. Some days you’ll have calm winds creating picture perfect reflections from every angle, others fierce winds will bring giant waves that are equally as photogenic. Be prepared for anything and you’ll love Lofoten. All of the images you see below in this guide were taken in March so expect to replace the snowy scenes with a lot more green in summer! As with all...

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Inspire – An Interview with Neil Bloem, Lofoten Islands

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:00:02 +0000

Interview x Inspire Inspiration comes in many forms; it could be spectacular light, your subject once they step into the frame, a dream, memory or something you saw briefly on social media. What about the work of other photographers? Have you ever taken the time to browse through the creative work of others? Not to pinch ideas or double tap for a quick like on Instagram but to really spend some time reading about why they photograph, their own inspiration and what drives their passion for picking up a camera and taking photos? I’ve long been inspired by books. The coffee table type, those filled with pages of photos and stories of travellers who venture to places lured by adventure. It’s been a little while since I’ve flicked through the pages of a good photo book and because of this I’d like to reintroduce the concept of browsing for inspiration here on The Wandering Lens. While I can’t yet provide you with pages to physically flick through, in 2019 I’ll be sharing more stories and interviews of photographers who adore the art of photography and photograph not for social media stardom but because they love it. From those working...

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3 Scenic Greenland Photography Locations to Visit

Rayann Elzein — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 03:00:58 +0000

When you think about photos of Greenland, the first images that come to your mind are probably the immense icecap that covers about 80% of the country or the huge icebergs floating in the ocean. Add to this countless sled dogs, high snow-capped mountains, brightly coloured houses, beautiful northern lights (aka aurora borealis), and a rich Inuit culture. It’s truly one of the most extraordinary places on earth. This guide was written by Arctic + Aurora Photographer Rayann Elzein When planning a trip to Greenland, I decided to stay three entire weeks which gave me plenty of time to experience and photograph all the beauty of 3 Greenland photography locations, all of which were located in West Greenland: Ilulissat, Disko Island and Uummannaq. Having a lot of time in each location allowed me to really immerse myself in the landscapes and features that each place has to offer. With this guide on The Wandering Lens I want to share my tips on the best Greenland photography locations, the best places to see the northern lights, and the best hiking trails to follow. Greenland Photography Locations… #1 Ilulissat [hygge_icon icon=”flag”] 69.2167° N, -51.1° E The entrance point to West Greenland is without...

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14 Photogenic Winter Destinations in Europe

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 06:10:11 +0000

Where to go in Europe for amazing winter photos! There’s a chill in the air, snow in the mountains and magic in the sky. Winter is perhaps the most photogenic season in Europe and by far my personal favourite, offering a variety of landscapes formed by dramatic weather conditions. Photographing winter scenery is a constant buzz of excitement, anticipation and fleeting opportunities filled with total photo perfection. Once you’ve experienced an Aurora hunt, snow storm and editing session by the fire after a long day outdoors it becomes an addiction. A never ending adventure to photograph the perfect northern lights display, a charming village square at Christmas filled with twinkly lights or an alpine wilderness that feels like you’re a million miles from anywhere. There’s something about gearing up to face the elements, heading out to photograph the unknown and waiting for the conditions to line up. Summer can be a little predictable but winter is most certainly a total contrast, not just where temperatures are concerned. With castles, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and the Alps; Europe over delivers when it comes to winter photography locations. Below I’ve put together a guide to some of my favourite destinations that I’ve been...

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I know a place…Where magic happens

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 00:00:55 +0000

I know a place… Where frozen landscapes blend with sunset skies… Where reindeer forage in snow covered forests… Where the darkness is illuminated by dancing waves of green magic… Lapland is a paradise of another kind. The type of place where beauty exists in a form that’s so unlike what we know or where we’ve been before. It’s the shocking kind of beauty; the kind where your face, fingers and toes don’t know what’s hit them but your eyes are so mesmerised by the surroundings you don’t dare to go indoors and warm up. Lapland in winter is simply magic. You know all the Christmas carols about walking in a winter wonderland and reindeers prancing? This is surely the place they all talk about. Landing in Sweden’s northern most city of Kiruna, way up above the Arctic Circle, you’re treated to a blanket of white from the plane window. Exiting the plane provides you with your first hit of -30 degree temperatures but it’s so overwhelmingly cold that you’ll find it hard to wipe the smile from your face. Or, it could just be stuck there, frozen solid. Mid-winter in Lapland is dark, really dark. The sun doesn’t rise above...

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