Capturing Norway’s Fjords: A Lesson in Landscape Photography

© Kamil Al Hinai Photography

Sailing through Norway’s fjords between Ålesund and Geiranger is a photographer’s dream. On this early morning cruise, the scene unfolded like a painting: layers of mountains fading into the mist, water reflecting pastel hues, and clouds breaking to reveal fleeting touches of pink and gold. Armed with a Canon EOS 5DS, paired with both the Canon 28–80mm and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM, I set out to capture the drama of the landscape.

The Magic of Morning Light

The early morning start provided soft, diffused light perfect for avoiding harsh shadows. The heavy clouds became an asset rather than a limitation. Instead of a flat, gray sky, the clouds reflected subtle shifts in color, ranging from violet-blue to pale gold as the sun fought its way through. This created an atmosphere that felt both moody and ethereal, a tone that is often impossible to replicate later in the day.

Choosing the Right Lens

The 28–80mm lens gave me versatility for wide shots, allowing the fjords and sky to dominate the frame and highlight the scale of the scenery. For example, the panoramic view of Ålesund fading into the mist captures both the vastness of the water and the drama of the clouds.

Switching to the 50mm f/1.8 STM brought a different perspective. Its sharpness and ability to isolate details allowed me to focus on the contours of a single mountain or the play of light on water. Using this prime lens forced me to compose more deliberately, looking for frames where the simplicity of the scene carried its own weight.

© Kamil Al Hinai Photography

Technical Considerations

Shooting landscapes in low light and from a moving cruise ship presents challenges:

• Shutter Speed: A slightly faster shutter speed was necessary to counteract the movement of the ship, especially when zooming in on distant peaks.

• Aperture: Keeping the aperture around f/8 to f/11 ensured enough depth of field for sweeping landscapes while maintaining sharpness.

• ISO: I kept ISO as low as possible (100–200) to preserve detail and dynamic range, which is crucial when dealing with subtle tones in clouds and water.

• Stability: A tripod wasn’t practical on the cruise deck, so bracing against railings helped stabilize shots.

© Kamil Al Hinai Photography

The Drama of Clouds and Water

Clouds often intimidate photographers, but here they made the images. The interplay of mist wrapping around mountain peaks added depth and mystery, while the fjord’s still waters mirrored the sky in unexpected ways. Rather than fighting the conditions, I embraced them waiting for breaks in the clouds and shooting into the shifting light.

Final Thoughts

Landscape photography is as much about patience as it is about technique. In Norway’s fjords, the scenery changes minute by minute, and the best images come from being ready to adapt. Sometimes the most dramatic moments happen when the weather feels uncooperative because it’s in those moments that nature paints the most extraordinary skies.