All photos by Stian Klo. Used with Creative Commons permission.
We’ve seen a fair bit of beautiful landscape photography, in all its surreal glory. It’s stuff we’ll never get tired of. That’s why we’re adding one more series to our favorites: the snaps of Norwegian landscape photographer Stian Klo during his visit to the frozen Finnish Lapland in early January 2019. Whether you have yet to tick off this destination from your bucket list or already have plans to explore its snowy expanse, we’re sure this series will inspire you to brave the cold and bring home some stunning photographic keepsakes of your own!
“I had high expectations having seen many great images from the area, but I was left completely speechless by its pure and natural beauty. I’ve never experienced such low temperatures (-37 degrees Celsius), but it was all worth it. Already booked my next trip for 2020,” Klo said about his Finnish Lapland adventure. Looking at all the gorgeous photos he took using his Nikon gear (Nikon Z7, Nikon 14-24mm f2.8, Nikon Z 24-70mm f4 S, Nikon 180–400mm f4E TC1.4 FL ED VR, and Nikon D850), it’s easy to see why he already decided to go back.
Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, prides itself as a destination for those who dream of a winter wonderland. Klo shows us a great sampler of the landscapes that await intrepid travelers: vast forests blanketed in snow and surrounded by fog with some of the trees forming surreal structures as the snow piles up and make them bend under the weight.
The expanse may look mostly grey and bleak (and definitely reminiscent of The North in Game of Thrones), but when the Golden Hour comes, it’s actually more fitting to call it Magic Hour. It’s stunning to see how the haze diffuses the colors of the sunrise or sunset to pastel yellows, pinks, and purples, with all the otherworldly snow-capped trees either silhouetted or seemingly watching on.
Stian Klo has been to many postcard-worthy destinations with impressive landscape photography sets to show for it. Visit his Behance portfolio to check them out. Or, you may also want to tag along his photography tours workshops with fellow Norwegian landscape photographer Arild Heitmann on the Lofoten Tours website.
