The place to go in Europe for implausible winter footage!
There’s a chill all through the air, snow all through the mountains and magic all through the sky. Winter is presumably perhaps most likely essentially the most photogenic season in Europe and by far my private favorite, providing quite a lot of landscapes shaped by dramatic native climate circumstances.
Photographing winter surroundings is a unbroken buzz of pleasure, anticipation and fleeting alternate choices stuffed with full picture perfection. If you happen to’ve professional an Aurora hunt, snow storm and modifying session by the fireplace after a protracted day outside it turns into an conduct. A under no circumstances ending journey to {{{photograph}}} the right northern lights current, an enchanting village sq. at Christmas stuffed with twinkly lights or an alpine wilderness that feels just like you’re 1,000,000 miles from wherever.
There’s one issue about gearing as loads as face the local weather, heading out to {{{photograph}}} the unknown and ready for the circumstances to line up. Summer season season season may presumably be somewhat bit predictable nonetheless winter is most undoubtedly a complete distinction, not merely the place temperatures are involved.
With castles, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and the Alps; Europe over delivers close to winter footage areas. Beneath I’ve put collectively a data to a few of my favorite areas that I’ve been fortunate sufficient to {{{photograph}}} over the sooner two winter seasons.
Correct proper right here’s a map to the place they’re positioned and in case you’ve acquired someplace photogenic so as in order so as to add to the rules, I’d love in an effort to touch upon the top of the article and share it!
Okay let’s get going…
Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Arctic Sea meets an infinite panorama of steep peeks rising from frozen shores. Norway’s Lofoten Islands are stuffed with dramatic surroundings and yearly photographers flock to the world to seize its pure magnificence.
It’s a hottest journey spot for Aurora hunters nonetheless in case you’re into coastal landscapes, that is THE place. The island chain stretches west from Norway’s northern coast and linked by bridges, types the only freeway journeys you most likely can take.
In winter circumstances can get fairly sketchy with wild seas and snow storms closing roads. That talked about, it’s furthermore the acute native climate that makes a go to correct proper right here in winter so specific. You may get caught indoors for 3 days straight nonetheless that one hour you get exterior may very properly be all it’s worthwhile to create a very gorgeous picture.
Greatest picture spots all through the Lofoten Islands –
Unstad Seaside
A gnarly (clearly I’m cool) surfer hangout with a protracted seaside break that curves beneath a cliff face.
In winter the rocks are lined in snow and distinction fantastically with the aqua brilliance of the freezing waster whereas surfers in steamers carve up the waves.
Hamnoy Bridge
Maybe perhaps most likely essentially the most photographed scene in Lofoten, the purple cabins of Eliassen Rorbuer are someplace it’s worthwhile to see to consider. The panorama will take your breath away. I’d advocate visiting this spot just a few occasions in winter on account of the native climate modifications so shortly it would properly look completely absolutely completely totally different inside just a few hours.
Ballstad
Hattvika Lodge is probably considered one of many largest bases you most likely can have whereas exploring Lofoten with the proprietor Kristian an professional on the place to go to seize most likely the best footage. From the lodge you most likely can {{{photograph}}} trawlers coming back from the wild sea with a present catch, zoom in on the snowy horizon of Norway’s mainland or hike to the height of Nonstinden. Be taught my seen analysis of Hattvika Lodge correct proper right here.
Click on on on correct proper right here to check the entire ‘Pictures location data to the Lofoten Islands‘.
Iceland
Now quite a few the widespread areas no matter season, Iceland attracts photographers for an excellent set off. It’s spectacular. It’s an island nation stuffed with fairly a bit pure magnificence it could possibly take a lifetime to search out.
From waterfalls and glaciers to volcanoes and ponies coiffed to perfection, Iceland will blow your concepts. If it doesn’t, then it’s you, not Iceland. Iceland is true (in my view).
For solo vacationers it’s a rustic the place you most likely can truly actually really feel completely secure driving from location to location collectively collectively together with your digicam. Should you’re a part of a bunch eager on capturing most likely the best landscapes, it can most likely little doubt be the journey of a lifetime. And winter, in my view, brings out most likely the best Iceland has to offer.
It’s rugged, wild and unpredictable. Don’t come to Iceland with a deliberate itinerary in winter due to it’ll little doubt be interrupted by loopy storms, gale pressure winds and freeway closures, nonetheless that’s all a part of the satisfying. The freeway system is totally ready for the winter native climate with web sites like freeway.is and Veður.is publishing reside updates and color coordinated guides which will assist you resolve on a secure route. Nonetheless that’s the boring bits to speak about now…let’s get onto most likely the best spots.
Click on on on correct proper right here to check my data to Iceland’s South Coast Pictures Areas after which furthermore correct proper right here for Picture Spots All through the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Greatest spots in Iceland –
Skogafoss Waterfall
One among many first spots you’ll come all by when driving the southern route inside the course of Vik and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Skogafoss is a gem. For some set off it reminds me of a toaster nonetheless it’s sq. formation appears to be like like how I’d consider the definition of a waterfall should. Thundering water pouring over the sting of a cliff with rainbows and seagulls dancing in it’s mist. It’s common so it’s largest to time your go to for dawn! Be taught additional correct proper right here.
Jokulsarlon Lagoon
Though it is likely to be crowded, this place is my favorite spot in Iceland (so far!). Icebergs float all by means of the lagoon as seals bob up and down and the sound of crackling ice will most likely be heard amongst the stillness. Dawn correct proper right here is solely an expertise and standing on the shore at evening ready for aurora is like being in a single totally different world. The sounds of silence listed under are terribly loud and overpowering for the senses. Be taught additional correct proper right here.
Vatnajokull Glacier Ice Caves
Experiencing the glistening magnificence inside an ice cave is like coming into one totally different world. Forming anew yearly the ice caves of Vatnajokull are carved by waterfalls that run by way of the glacier. Be taught additional correct proper right here – Photographing Inside an Ice Cave.
Kirkjufellfoss Waterfall
Positioned on the Snaefellsness Peninsula, this gem is so photogenic, you most likely can seize it from nearly any angle. The mountain Kirkjufell is type of a witches hat resting on the shores the place orcas cruise by and aurora dances above. All by the freeway from the mountain is Kirkjufellsfoss…the waterfall, which is what you’ll see most photographers seize as quickly as they go to this house. The waterfall has just a few ranges so you’ll need to cross the bridge and uncover significantly for numerous compositions.
Western Fjords
Whereas I personally haven’t visited this house in winter, it appears to be like like the last word phrase journey for each photographers and eager winter addicts. Should you’ve acquired the proper gear and native data that’s. Try Chris Burkard’s video showcasing the world in ‘Beneath an Arctic Sky‘, perhaps most likely the best journey/footage video I’ve ever seen.
Swedish Lapland
Forests stuffed with snow lined pines, frozen lakes and a sky stuffed with magic awaits in Lapland. Like wandering inside a snow globe, the world is a photographers dream…equipped you’ve acquired a heat jacket to maintain up you cosy outside!
All by Scandinavia the lapland areas current the proper place to take a look at for northern lights all by the darkish, winter months. With the lights seen from early September till late March, there’s a substantial amount of time to go to and witness the magic. Visiting in winter nonetheless supplies that further wow problem. White landscapes lined in deep snow, bushes lined with a relentless layer of glowing frost and a whole lot of the coldest circumstances you’ll most likely ever expertise. On my go to in early January temperatures have been hovering spherical -35 ranges…dropping to about -46degrees one evening whereas I used to be out photographing aurora. It constructive is chilly nonetheless it’s an expertise I take into consideration that if you are going to get there, it’s so price your eyelashes freezing collectively.
Greatest picture spots spherical Kiruna, Sweden –
Nikkaluokta
It’s likely largest to have a data when visiting this location nonetheless it’s price it. The frozen Laukkujarvi creates a wonderful base in your tripod should you await the northern lights to bop. You’ll uncover picket cabins all by means of the woods and with a data will most likely be succesful to get entry and heat up with tea or seize it’s ambiance. Be taught additional correct proper right here.
Kiruna – Middnattsolstigen
Each time I describe this forest I really can’t say it one other methodology. It’s like strolling in a snow globe; a freezing chilly, exact life shaken up globe of winter perfection. Tree branches are lined with a glowing layer of frost and the nightfall skies of winter reward the scene fantastically.
You’ll uncover the park entrance merely behind Camp Ripan, furthermore the right place to base your self whereas exploring the world. Be taught additional correct proper right here.
Jukkasjärvi
All through the winter months this frozen wilderness is alive with actions. From canine sledding to reindeer encounters, typical Sami customized and naturally the notorious Ice Resort. Your digicam shall be higher than pleased to snap it’s methodology spherical this space, you’ll need to take a look at my data to digicam care in excessive circumstances although!
Germany
Winter time in Germany means one challenge…Christmas Markets! Correctly, it likely means quite a few challenge nonetheless in case you’re into photographing village squares, ambiance and fairy lights, Germany is your personal house and winter is the time.
All by means of December most villages and cities could have on the very least one Christmas market, some could have a whole lot of they usually additionally carry all the festive spirit, glow and mulled wine with them.
Take a peek at my Christmas market cruise for additional particulars in another case beneath is my resolve for winter footage areas.
Neuschwanstein Fortress
Visiting in winter usually means loads a lot much less crowds and extra snow, which for photographers is the dream mixture! Wanting just like the Disney mannequin come to life, Neuschwanstein Fortress is each bit the fairy story.
Personally I discovered the pores and skin much more spectacular than the inside and behind the fort you’ll uncover the immensely picturesque Lake Alpsee. In winter it’s shores are lined in snow and the reflections of forest and lake cabins is price on the very least just a few hours of your time to search out. Be taught additional relating to the fairy story village of Hohenschwangau correct proper right here.
Switzerland
Really in case you presumably can ski, Switzerland is probably considered one of many dream areas the place the slopes are primed and prepared in your downhill abilities to be unleashed. If, like me, you fall over merely listening to the phrase ski, there’s a substantial amount of picture spots to maintain up you content material materials too.
Lake Blausee
Final winter I checked the forecast ready for a snow storm to point this lake correct proper right into a winter wonderland. The lake is already fairly widespread with associates who flock to see it’s vivid turqouise color, believed to have been created when the tears of an house girl fell into the lake. For the entire story you most likely can examine my article ‘Behind the Lens: Lake Blausee, Switzerland’.
Picture clever although, this lake is loopy lovely. With clear teal water, alpine forests and a stunning little cabin and lodge it’s price spending a complete day correct proper right here collectively collectively together with your digicam (and buddy…nonetheless primarily a digicam!).
Jungfrau House
Should you’re searching for a base in Switzerland, the Jungfrau House is it. With areas like Wengen, Grindelwald, Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch all linked by put collectively, it’s supreme for photographing quite a lot of alpine landscapes.
Be taught my data to the world correct proper right here with fairly a couple of ingredient on transport, the place to remain and possibly the best footage areas.
So, after studying about these 14 spots, what number of have you ever ever ever visited?
Or…do you could want someplace lovely so as in order so as to add to the rules? I’d love in an effort to remark beneath and share your favorite winter journey spot in Europe and why it’s good for taking footage! You’re welcome to depart a hyperlink to your explicit particular person weblog publish or picture on Instagram so we’re going to see what makes it so photogenic.
Hey! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an skilled journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this site is from my private expertise on the freeway. I hope it’s helpful in your non-public travels and wish to take heed to all through the ideas about your journeys and experiences all over the place on this planet.