Photographers in Svalbard the world's most beautiful archipelago, join us for a dance under the northern lights and hear the polar night whisper to you.
Experience the magnificent landscape, the dynamics of the seasons, and the light that captivates you. Helgeland is the destination for an adventurous spring. An archipelago brimming with history, culture, and spectacular natural experiences.
Two places that are both ultimate destinations for adventure-loving photography enthusiasts who want to experience a little extra and get a closer look at the places they visit.
Be inspired by the light, the landscape, the culture, and the magic of the world’s most beautiful archipelago and mountain landscape. Share your experiences with others through photography and film. Foto Lofoten, is no line with many trips and a lot of activity outside. With curiosity and a zest for life as our driving force, we explore the landscapes, cultures, and people we encounter together.
On this course you can let your imagination run wild and try out the many expressive forms of photography. The courses take you through the steps of creating a photo. creative process from idea to finished images and films. You learn to work with various techniques, and receive full training in the editing program Photoshop and traditional darkroom photography.
With the school's excellent indoor facilities and the Lofoten nature right outside the door, you learn to photograph in studio and on location. You learn lighting with professional equipment, and get practice in how to see and use the natural light.
We explore the various genres of landscape, architecture, portraiture, and documentary and art. We work both digitally and analogically. Creative freedom has always had a big place in Lofoten Folkehøgskole.
Photo Lofoten is just as suitable for beginners as for those with more experience – there are no prerequisites required. We place great emphasis on ensuring that you become confident in the basic technical skills, and find your own style and develop your own style. We give you the opportunities – you create the images!
The photography students have their own indoor base, At Norwegian, you have access to the school’s studio, computer lab, printers and darkroom 24/7, all week long. The magnificent nature here also makes it ideal for outdoor work. During the school year, we take you on trips to exciting places in Lofoten.
We sail to Brettesnes, staying on the outer side of the open sea in the old fishing village of Nyksund, We go on an eagle and whale safari, travel to Reine when the winter sun starts to warm up a little. Otherwise, we also have a fantastic nearby area for hiking, skiing, and skating.
Test of sea kayak >>>
We meet people, seek out the wonderful light As Lofoten is known for, she photographs landscapes, rustic environments, abandoned factory areas and urban environments.
Throughout the year, you will meet a number of guest teachers who are among the best in their fields.. There will be workshops in photojournalism and visual storytelling, fashion photography, and advanced image editing. Several of the guest teachers are former students who have continued studying the subject and have gone on to become photographers after graduating from the course Lofoten Folkehøgskole.
AND WE HAVE OUR OWN PHOTO MAGAZINE, LOFOTO: >>>
Peder Pedersen (born 1965) is a trained advertising photographer and has extensive experience as a photographer in this profession. There he has worked with industry, interior design, architecture, portraiture, food and aerial photography. Peder is an expert in lighting both in the studio and on location with natural light.
Peder has extensive technical knowledge in both digital and analog photography. He started his career in the darkroom before learning about digital photography and processing. He can handle color management (CM) and most things about calibrating digital tools. He also works with film, graphic design, and web design.
He has worked with photography as an artistic form of expression both in exhibitions and with various multimedia productions.
Note! It is not necessary; the photo line has a well-developed network of powerful machines and updated software that you can access around the clock. However, if you still plan to have your own machine, here are some tips:
Today, an ordinary reasonably priced laptop is powerful enough for normal image processing, simple movie and music editing. The disadvantage is that laptops often have poor monitors for image processing; especially glossy screens are poorly suited for optimizing digital images. That is why it is important to prioritize a good screen and preferably a which is food. Preferably, when using a portable device, connect to a good external display whenever possible.
At the school we have several external calibrated monitors that can be used to correct the image before printing or simply because you want to work on a larger screen.
The Lofoten fhs has chosen to use Mac products for teaching, not because they necessarily are more powerful and faster than PCs, but because they are easy to use, stable in operation, last a long time, and not least—easy to operate/service yourself.
If you are unsure about what to buy, feel free to contact us for advice.
At the beginning of the school year, we provide you with training in using the mirrorless camera (system camera) and basic training in Photoshop and digital printing. Later in the autumn, when the evenings become darker, you will receive courses in analog photography and black-and-white copying in the darkroom, and training in using the studio and printers.
Throughout the school year, we provide you with inspiration for your own work through lectures. You gain insight into photography history and theory, learn the secrets of image composition and the visual language. We are inspired by the greatest photographers and expressive forms in history, such as music, film, and design. This is to kickstart your own ideas, on the path towards your own expression.
You will receive training in the use of the studio and lighting with artificial light. Here you can get creative alongside professional photographers and bring your ideas to life. The studio is fully equipped with lights, softboxes, spotlights, a wide range of backgrounds, costumes and props.
The teaching includes courses in the various genres such as portraiture, fashion, landscape, art, documentary photography, architecture, and still life. Here you learn how to build a picture and use photography to tell a story. You will have time to experiment and explore, and immerse yourself in what you enjoy most.
I had never owned a DSLR or opened Photoshop before I started at Lofoten FHS in 2009. However, it didn’t take long before I fell in love with the photography atmosphere at Gimle and everything the photography could offer. Having a photo studio where you can be for 24 hours a day with just good friends creates such a great atmosphere that I simply couldn’t help but continue with photography after my LFHS year.
My photos are imbued with a childhood in the countryside with a family full of theater, outdoor activities, and general culture – staging in nature is perhaps what you see the most in my photos. After Lofoten, I studied in Paris while also assisting various photographers.
Although I am thinking of traveling abroad, I have found that there are few places as beautiful and wonderful as Lofoten. There you get everything: beautiful nature, great teachers, all the possible equipment and toys, great friends to work with, and a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.
There was an incredible drive at the school. We encouraged and pushed each other, experimenting with new techniques while exchanging ideas and knowledge. Sometimes the discussions could go on until late at night or we would stay up working harmoniously in the dark to bring out the latest project.
In my further studies in photography, I have been incredibly grateful for all the knowledge I gained folkehøgskole. This allowed me to focus on developing ideas and the creative process, or to understand things even better.
When I applied to Lofoten Folk High School, I honestly didn’t know anything about folk high schools. All I knew was that I wanted to study photography in an exciting environment, and Lofoten is certainly exciting. When I arrived at the school, the principal said that the year at folk high school could be the best year of our lives. I said it confidently. But at that point, I had no idea that I would stay in Lofoten for two years and experience more than I had ever done before and make more friends than I ever had. I still look back on the time at the school as the funniest time of my life.
It’s hard to say what has remained strongest in my memory. Baby bear cubs jumping after our boat during the bear safari. A pink northern light exploding above me as I come out of the evening picnic. Seagulls floating with their big wings and diving for fish. A whale washed up on a shoal. The school is incredibly good at showcasing the best of Lofoten. They offer many excursions, ranging from day trips to a whole week on an abandoned little village stranded on a few rocks in the sea. You get to meet artists who stayed in Lofoten because of the incredible environment, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who seek adventure in the mountains.
The year Lofoten Folkehøgskole was fantastic. Spending a year in folk high school an exceptional experience no matter where you are, but experiencing folk high schoollife in Lofoten is something truly special.
I have always been interested in photography, but the year in Lofoten gave a lot of nourishment to my interest in it. Living for a year close to other people, with the same interests as myself, provides enormous inspiration and knowledge.
At school, there was studio photography; in nature, I got to see and climb towering mountain peaks, bathed in sunlight. And I got to ski down from them, or photograph others who were on their way down the mountains. I got to see the ocean, and hear the stories of the people who have worked and lived with nature for decades.
After Lofoten, it’s good to look back on a year that gave me many new friends and experiences. Now I have friends all over Norway, and friends in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The year helped to boost my interest in photography and my knowledge a little, and I still think back to Lofoten and all the experiences.
Hardly any area in Norway offers such a variety of lush green lagoons, small islands, and exciting hiking trails. For a photographer, it is difficult to find a place closer to paradise.
Today, there is a bustling life outside the island community. People from the city have returned to their homes, and artists and photographers are inspired by the light and the unique nature out there.
