The Colors of Lapland
Register here – 2 seats available for 2019
This 1-week photo workshop takes place around the villages of Kilpisjärvi and Äkäslompolo in Finnish Lapland. ‘Ruska’ is the word which is used in Finland, when nature puts on her colorful autumn dress. During that time we will be offered colorful treats – day and night. Northern lights can then be seen either up in the sky or as a reflection on the water. In daytime soft and strong autumn colors will enchant us and our cameras. Not only trees and bushes but also berry leaves and grass at the ground can glow in countless shades.
A maximum of six participants makes this an intimate workshop. Each person will have a lot of time for in-depth discussions regarding photos, camera settings, composation and anything else.
As always and everywhere, the weather is an unknown. The program and its order might change depending on the weather conditions.
Overview
Upcoming Dates
– 07-14 Sep 2019 (2 seats available)
Participants
minimum 4 participants
maximum 6 participants
Required photography skills
This tour is open to all skill levels, from beginners to professionals.
Required fitness level
For this tour a basic fitness level will be sufficient. We will have short hikes of maximum one hour to reach beautiful spots. Please keep in mind that if the nights are clear, we will spend part of it to search for Northern lights.
Price
Double room: EUR 2,080.00
Single room supplement: EUR 300.00
Included in price
– transfer from/to Kittilä airport (KTT) at predefined times
– accommodation in Kilpisjärvi in cottages (4 rooms per cottage with shared bathroom, kitchen and living room)
– accommodation in Äkäslompolo with shower, toilet and a kitchenette in each room
– all breakfasts
– all other transfers to photo locations
Not included
– flights in and out of Kittilä (KTT)
– photo gear (camera, lenses, tripod, filters, etc)
– travel insurance or any other private insurances
– dinner, snacks during daytime, alcoholic drinks
Detailed information
Day 1
Our week together starts with the transfer from the airport Kittilä to Kilpisjärvi. The cottages of Tundrea will be our base camp for next four days. After this three-hour drive we will check in and then enjoy our first dinner together. Weather permitting, we grab our camera gear and head into the autumn night to look for the Aurora Borealis.
Days 2-4
During these days we will have a diverse program with photo locations around Kilpisjärvi. The borders of Norway and Sweden are just a few kilometers away, we will most likely spend one day in Norway at the Lyngen fjord.
Day 5
Around noon we will pack our things and drive to Äkäslompolo. The Lodge 67N will be our base camp for the remaining days and nights.
Days 6-7
During these days we will visit different photo locations around Äkäslompolo to capture the glowing autumn colors at fells, rivers and lakes. As every night, we will look for the Northern lights.
Day 8
After an early breakfast this week will unfortunately come to an end and we will have to pack our things to drive to Kittilä airport.
All program is subject to the weather. As with all nature-related activities, the weather situation dictates when and which spots we visit. The goal is to provide you the best possibilities for great photos throughout the week. The itinerary is a guideline and gives you an idea of what to expect. Some of the locations we will visit twice – during daytime and nighttime.
Kilpisjärvi is located about 310km North of the Arctic Circle and lies at fell Saana. One hundred people live here, right at the borders to Norway and Sweden. Here, near the tundra, no forest grows anymore. Downy small birches, bushes and grass garnish the barren, stony landscape which has mountain peaks above 1,000m. Temperatures in September are here usually around +3…8C during day and can drop below 0C during the night. Only 60km into Norway lies the fjord Lyngen with a view to the famous Lyngen Alps.
Äkäslompolo is located in the municipality Kolari in the Northwest of Finland. About 140km North of the Arctic Circle and 25km from the Swedish border, and has a population of 500 people. The village lies at a lake and is surrounded by seven fells. Temperatures in September are usually around +5…10C during day and can drop below 0C during the night.
Tripod
Important for night photography and long exposure photos. The tripod will minimize camera shaking. Handheld photos in darkness will not be sharp. To adjust settings comfortably, the tripod should be nearly your height.
Camera
Most suitable will be a dSLR camera where you can exchange lenses. For astro and aurora photos your camera needs to have the option of manual focus and a complete manual mode which allows you to adjust aperture, exposure time and ISO separately. There are also a bunch of suitable mirrorless cameras out there. Pocket cameras with a zoom might be ok in some cases. If you are uncertain about your camera, you can ask for my opinion when booking. I’m happy to help.
Lenses
For night and aurora photography you should bring a fast lens (meaning wide aperture, with a small f-number like f/2.8 or better) to make the most of the available light. Lenses with f/4.0 are doing fine also but you might have to crank up the ISO. Auroras often stretch all across the sky. To capture a big part of it, you want to have a wide-angle lens (24mm or wider).
For daytime photography it is good to have a zoom (24-70mm, 24-120mm or the like). The variety helps you to create diverse photo compositions. To emphasize details of autumn leaves, etc a prime lens such as 50mm f/1.8 will be useful. With a macro it is possible to capture tiny details.
Remote control (optional)
Use during night photography or long exposures. The remote allows you to take photos without touching the camera.
Filters (optional)
If you want to take photos of smooth water or moving clouds, you will need a neutral density filter. A polarizer can be used to create better contrast. A graduaded ND filter will help to balance the light difference of ground and sky.
Head lamp / Flashlight
Will be important during the night. If you can get a head lamp with a red light option, it will be helpful.
Spare batteries
Nights during autumn are not as cold as in winter, but it is important to have at least two extra batteries with you.
To read more about aurora photography, check out my aurora guide ‘Fox Fires’, part 4.
Make sure you have the right clothing. With average temperatures of +5C it’s not very cold, but we will be out for hours.
Bottom layer
Best is a woolen layer. For example, merino wool is excellent.
Middle layers
A layer of fleece usually work well.
Top layer
Top your layers off with a basic winter jacket and trousers, best for them will be windproof.
Shoes, socks and gloves
Trekking or hiking shoes will be most useful to navigate through nature, also they keep warm enough. Woolen socks will be good with these shoes. For your hands it is best to bring two pairs of gloves with you. A thin pair with which you are able to press the camera buttons, and thick ones in case you get cold. Hand and toe warmers can easily be purchased online.
Head, face and ears
Make sure to properly protect your head and ears against the cold wind. A woolen beanie, ear flaps and a scarf will help to keep head and neck warm. A windproof hat is good to have when out during uncomfortable weather.
Thermos bottle
For hot juice, tea or coffee to keep you warm during our excursions.
Laptop
To backup your photos from the camera and editing. If we are extremely unlucky with the weather, we will do some post processing in Lightroom.
Payments
15% due within 14 days after registration
85% due latest 30 days before tour start
Cancellation and refunds
Up to 60 days before tour start: Full refund minus an administration fee of EUR 100.00
59-30 days before tour start: 85% refund of the entire trip’s cost
29-15 days before tour start: 50% refund of the entire trip’s cost
Less than 15 days before tour start: 5% refund of the entire trip’s cost
Feedback from participants
Here are reviews from participants, who were already on this photo tour. So far there have been only German speaking participants. On the Testimonials-page feedback from all the tours is put together.
Zu der „Die Farben-Lapplands-Tour“ von Thomas Kast/Salamapaja ist festzuhalten, dass es wie auf allen Touren von Thomas in erster Linie um das Polarlicht geht. Seine eigene Polarlicht-Begeisterung ist riesig und ansteckend. Er weiß so gut wie alles darüber, vermittelt dieses Wissen gern und gekonnt und schafft es zumeist auch bei ungünstigen Witterungsbedingungen das eine Loch in der Wolkendecke aufzuspüren, das einen Blick auf die tanzende Lichter erlaubt.
Wie der Name schon sagt, geht es bei dieser Tour ganz speziell um die Farben Lapplands – und zwar nicht nur um die der Polarlichter. Lappland hat zu jeder Jahreszeit eine wundervolle und faszinierende Landschaft zu bieten. Aber während man im Winterhalbjahr durch ein tief verschneites weißes Winterwonderland stapft, ist man im Herbst umgeben von Farben. Von unzähligen Farben. Die Natur leuchtet überall in herrlichen Gelb-, Orange- und Rottönen. Es gibt wunderbare Lichtstimmungen und Unmengen leckerer Heidel-, Preisel- oder Krähenbeeren, für den kleinen Hunger zwischendurch.
Es ist eine echte Fototour bei der das Fotografieren und vor allem der Spaß daran im Mittelpunkt steht. Und zwar für jeden, ganz egal auf welchem Kenntnisstand man sich befindet oder über welche Ausrüstung man verfügt. Es gibt überall ausreichend Zeit zum Fotografieren und Thomas steht jederzeit mit Rat und Tat zur Seite, hat stets Erklärungen parat und für alle fotografischen Probleme eine Lösung. Der genaue Tagesablauf wird immer den aktuellen Witterungs- und Lichtverhältnissen angepasst und kann auch schonmal spontan geändert werden, wenn unterwegs unerwartete Motive – wie zB eine Herde freilaufender Rentiere – auftauchen. Neben den Ausflügen gibt es auch Zeit die Umgebung auf eigene Faust zu erkunden oder einfach mal Pause zu machen. Und wem die Tagesausflüge oder nächtlichen Polarlichtjagden zu viel werden, der bleibt einfach in der Unterkunft und kann dort die Landschaft und Ruhe genießen oder ein wenig Schlaf nachholen.
Während ich das jetzt gerade so schreibe würde ich am liebsten meine Koffer packen und direkt wieder los.
In jeder einzelnen der 7 Nächte während der Fotoreise “Die Farben Lapplands” hatten wir das unglaubliche Glück (und natürlich vor allem das Know-how und die nahezu unermüdliche Leidenschaft von Thomas) Polarlichter erleben zu dürfen. Nachdem ich bereits mehrer Male im Winter mit Thomas unterwegs war, beeindruckte mich jetzt vor allem die Farbenvielfalt der Nordlichter – neben dem altbekannten Grün waren es vor allem die Gelb-, Rot-, Pink- und Violett-Töne die mich begeisterten bis ich das allererste Mal sogar Blau am Himmel erblickte. Es gab in dieser 1 Woche für mich einige dieser unvergesslichen und ganz besonderen Momente und ich bin überglücklich, mit meiner Kamera dabei gewesen zu sein!
Nachdem wir nachts auf erfolgreicher Polarlichtsuche waren, machten wir auch tagsüber zahlreiche Ausflüge zu den verschiedensten Orten, wobei Thomas extrem flexibel auf unsere Wünsche einging und schon mal den einen oder anderen ungeplanten Stopp einlegte um z. B. umherziehende Rentiere ausgiebig zu fotografieren. Dabei stand er jederzeit mit Rat und Tat zur Seite, sodass ich für mich viele nützliche Tipps mit Nachhause nehmen konnte. Daneben hatten wir genügend freie Zeit, um entweder unser Schlafdefizit etwas auszugleichen oder (was ich bevorzugte) die Gegend auf eigene Faust zu erkunden.
An dieser Reise hat mir besonders gefallen, dass ich ohne dicke Daunenkleidung unterwegs sein und dabei grossartige Landschaften, Orte, Stimmungen und Polarlichter einfangen konnte. Die Natur präsentierte sich in ihrem farbenprächtigen Herbstkleid (Stichwort „Ruska“) und die Auswahl an Fotomotiven war nahezu unbegrenzt. Der Boden war übersät mit Moosen und Pflanzen in den buntesten Farben und überall wuchsen Heidelbeeren, von denen ich nur allzu gern naschte.
Fazit: Ja, es ist anstrengend, jede Nacht auf Polarlichtsuche zu gehen, aber man kann auch in der Unterkunft bleiben mit der Gefahr das Beste zu verpassen. Lappland im Herbst ist wirklich ein grossartiges Reiseziel und spätestens wenn ich meine Fotoausbeute betrachte, will ich am liebsten gleich wieder mit Thomas losziehen.
Gallery
Any questions?
If you have questions related to the workshop, your photo gear or anything else, please use the contact form.