NORWAY & SWEDEN EXPERT 8 DAYS OF ADVENTURE HANS STRAND INDIAN SUMMER AND AURORA BOREALIS AT THE POLAR CIRCLE

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1 NORWAY & SWEDEN INDIAN SUMMER AND AURORA BOREALIS AT THE POLAR CIRCLE EXPERT HANS STRAND 8 DAYS OF ADVENTURE

2 Photo by David Trud Thanks for choosing Better Moments for your next adventure workshop. Better Moments was founded in 2011 by Philip Boissevain and me, two experienced veterans of the international professional photography industry. We met when working at Hasselblad, Philip as the Global Marketing manager and me as the Global Photographer Relations manager. PHOTOGRAPHY WITH PASSION Today Better Moments has become the leading photo workshop platform organizing high-end workshops for photo enthusiasts worldwide. You will learn from the world s most experienced photographers within their fields to refine your personal style and sharpen your technical skills. Additionally, we want you to share your excitement for photography and enjoy great moments in life. And we want you to explore your passion and expand your photographic skills and vision. Better Moments CEO and founder: Christian Nørgaard Graphic design: Anders Lundgren Text editor: Jeff Grant All images and text in this catalog are under International Copyright Legislation. However, Better Moment s guests and potential customers may download the catalog for private use, but not for any commercial use. Any violation of the International Copyright Legislation will be reported to the International Court of Justice of International Copyright Legislation Cover photo by Hans Strand Better Moments mission is to deliver exclusive workshops in landscape, wildlife and travel photography at unique locations around the world. I want you to explore your passion for photography and work and earn from the world s most renowned photographers who all have excellent teaching skills, local knowledge and experience. Photography with passion, Christian Nørgaard

3 Photo by Hans Strand

4 INDIAN SUMMER AND AURORA BOREALIS AT THE POLAR CIRCLE Majestic, picturesque and serene are all words that describe this trip. Take in the mountains, valleys, plains, forests, rivers, flora and fauna of Abisko National Park. Try your hand at aerial photography from a helicopter over the magnificent wild landscapes of northern Sweden, and visit Norway s breathtaking Lofoten Islands. Join in for afternoon and evening shoots at Haukland, Vikten Beaches, Utakleiv Beach and, of course, a shot of the Aurora Borealis combined with sea scapes. Photo by Hans Strand

5 TRAVEL WITH PASSION Better Moments mission is to deliver exclusive workshops and we want you to explore your passion for photography while working with the world s most renowned photographer, Hans Strand during your Norway & Sweden expedition. HIGHLIGHTS Abisko National Park, Sweden. Aerial photography from helicopter over magnificent woodlands, rivers and mountains. Lofoten Islands, Norway. Aurora Borealis over Utakleiv Beach. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Learn the art of aerial photography and to approach the unique challenges of landscape photography. Also how to capture spaciousness, dynamic energy and the simplicity of natural landscape photography. How to handle equipment with care on location. Private hands-on lessons that can help taking your photography skills to the next level. IN CLASSROOM Expert review and constructive criticism of the images taken during the day. Workflow in Photoshop and/or Light Room. A Better Moments Certified Photo Instructor is available during the entire workshop to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, guide and help in general. ON LOCATION Private guiding during our aerial photography workshop in our helicopter. PRICE & BOOKING Teaching and training in the best techniques, personal tips and advice. Composition and focus on lines, golden section, perspective, foreground. Working in different lighting, with short/long exposure times and aperture. Photo by Hans Strand

6 HANS STRAND Hans was born in 1955 in Marmaverken, Sweden. For more than 20 years, the entire world has been his workplace. Photographing everything from the vast expanses of the Arctic, to steaming rainforests and dry deserts. My back broke down and I could not sit all day long, like I was doing as an engineer. At this time my great hobby was landscape photography, so I took a chance and became a professional and it has worked since MADE IN SWEDEN His work has been displayed in numerous exhibitions and published in many international photography magazines. He has received several awards for his photography, including the Hasselblad Master Award in Hans has lectured on his photography internationally and published a number of photography books, with more on the way. Photo by private Photography is not about capturing what you see, but to interpret what you feel

7 CAREER CHANGE After working as a mechanical engineer for nine years he made a career change. The complexity and the sense of being a part of nature. After all, all living things have their origin in the wild landscape. I have always found myself drawn to the untamed and unmanipulated nature. The wilderness is the mother of all living things. It is always honest and never trivial. BAD WEATHER IS TERRIFIC As a professional and especially having spent many years in the northern hemisphere, Hans has developed a style very much reflecting his attitude towards weather. The right weather is important, but not everything. Shooting a rugged landscape like Iceland in sunshine is not what you want. There you want moody conditions to get the right drama in the landscape. On the other hand, you have to work with the light you have at hand and try to make the best of it. You can t just skip taking pictures because you don t get what you have anticipated. There are always possibilities in every kind of light. Often landscape photographers regard grey weather as bad weather, but I think it is terrific. Photo by Hans Strand

8 A NORTHMAN OF ICE AND FIRE In the late 90 Hans went on a unique expedition to the icy Arctics. The Arctic landscape is virgin territory. In 1999 I visited the island of Ellef Ringnes in Northern Nunavut. Hardly anyone has been there since 1904 when the island was discovered, and definitely no one has been photographing there. The silence and the long lasting light are fantastic. It is very minimalistic compared to a rainforest but nevertheless complex. In 2004 I visited Svalbard and was even taking pictures of polar bears. Normally I am not so interested in wildlife photography, but seeing a polar bear in its natural habitat is something very special. Hans has travelled between the deserts of America to the Tasmanian outback and photographed a wide range of landscapes, but when it comes down to the favorites he always ends up in Iceland. Each year since 2000 I have returned to Iceland to take pictures. I find its landscapes the most spectacular in the world. Nowhere else have I seen landscapes with such complexity and color. I have also practiced aerial photography a lot and have found new perspectives to take my landscape photographs. THE FIRST ROLLS OF FILM Hans was 25 years old when he bought his first camera during a school trip to the United States. That s where he took his first rolls of film, on the holy ground for landscape photography since Ansel Adams first captured his iconic images there. But it wasn t the last rolls of film for Hans Strand either. Today he s a widely acclaimed landscape photographer with high workshop expertise in the northern landscapes. Photo by Hans Strand

9 ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL AT KIRUNA Better Moments will pick you up at Kiruna Airport or at your hotel in Kiruna. We drive south through a varied landscape consisting of vast lakes, open landscapes and with the Swedish and Norwegian mountains in the background. We will make stops spontaneously along the way to take pictures before we reach Abisko. After dinner, we give a presentation of the workshop and an indoor class on landscape photography. DAY 2 AUTUMN COLOURS AND ABISKO CANYON Morning shoot on the river banks of the Abisko River where autumn coloured birch trees are reflected in the crystal clear waters. Further photography of the limestone formations of the magnificent Abisko Canyon. Afternoon photography in the lush and autumn coloured birch forest. A chaos of plants and colours. After dinner we meet for a cozy review of today s photography. DAY 3 HELICOPTER FLIGHT AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Morning indoor class with review of the work from yesterday. A thorough workshop about the challenges of aerial photography to prepare you for the afternoon helicopter flight and aerial photography over the magnificent surrounding woodlands, mountains, rivers and forests. Evening image review and briefing about tomorrow s program. DAY 4 ABISKO NATIONAL PARK An easy hike into Kärkevagge that is a valley full of rock formations formed in the ice age. From several locations you can shoot the scenic views from the hillside. There are also abundant opportunities to make intimate photography of the small waterfalls and autumn wonders on the ground. After dinner we meet for a cozy review of today s photography. DAY 5 LOFOTEN ISLANDS AND AURORA BOREALIS Morning shoot of the autumn coloured birch tree reflections in torrents of Abisko River. In the afternoon we cross the border to Norway and travel out towards the wild and jagged Lofoten Islands. After dinner we chase the northern lights along the beach. DAY 6 FISHING VILLAGE AND NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY Morning drive to Reine and shoot of the most scenic fishing village view in the whole of Scandinavia. Aftenoon and evening shoot at the bright sandy Haukland and Vikten Beaches with nice black stone formations. Night photography of Aurora Borealis in combination with sea scapes. DAY 7 UTAKLEIV BEACH, FAREWELL DINNER AND NORTHERN LIGHTS An easy morning with workshops and review of images. Afternoon and evening photography at Utakleiv Beach where the coastline is full of nicely shaped rock formations and a magnificent background of turqoise sea and jagged mountains. Late evening shoot of Aurora Borealis in combination with sea scapes. DAY 8 SVOLVER AIRPORT, LOFOTEN We drive to Svolver Airport for your return journey to your home destinations. PRICE & BOOKING HOME Photo by Hans Strand

10 Photo by Hans Strand

11 GETTING THERE The nearest airport is in Kiruna, Sweden, which has flights to and from Stockholm by SAS and Norwegian. VISA Sweden Sweden is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Nationals of EU and EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) countries only need a valid national identity card or passport for entry. All other visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay, and some will need a visa. Please check with the local embassy. Norway Some people can visit Norway without a visa, but most people from countries outside the EU/EEA must apply for a visitor s visa. For more info visit: no/en/want-to-apply/visit-andholiday/ WEATHER The weather is typically between -2 C and +2 C, but you should expect it to be minus degrees. LANGUAGE Swedish and Norwegian. Almost everyone speaks English. CURRENCY The Swedish monetary unit is the Krona (SEK) and the Norwegian monetary unit is also the Krona (NOK). EMERGENCY Emergency phone number: 112. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Due to weather conditions we may need to change the flight plans and locations PRICE & BOOKING HOME QUICK GUIDE We wish you to travel with the greatest possible comfort and that you have received as much information as possible Photo by Hans Strand

12 EQUIPMENT Whether this is your first trip or your hundredth workshop with us, it s always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack so you have a travel checklist. Bookmark this packing list, because you ll want to refer back to it to make sure you ve thought of everything you might want to pack. CLOTHING A good plan is to dress layer-by-layer. You then are well prepared for whatever weather arrives. Wind and waterproof jacket Wind and waterproof pants Rubber boots - with room for extra (wool) socks Hiking boots Wool underwear Fleece/sweater Cap Gloves Waterproof outdoor cushions - nice to sit on when we sail in the arctics or when we sit and enjoy the scenery on land. A small backpack Binoculars NICE TO HAVE Sunscreen Sunglasses A swimsuit (for hot springs in Iceland only) CAMERA The camera list is for inspiration, since you know better than anyone what equipment you prefer. Bring you own laptop computer and storage medium Camera bodie(s) Tripod Lenses, 24-70mm zoom and mm zoom or similar lenses are very good Bag for all camera gear Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses Charger for batteries Spare batteries Standard power converter Raw processing software Memory cards and card wallets Memory card reader USB key to exchange images NICE TO HAVE Lens extenders Camera straps for ease of changing from one camera to another Graduated filter set Filter holder High quality polarizing filter Lens belt Photo by Hans Strand

13 Photo by Hans Strand

14 PHOTOGRAPHER Each month we select a photographer from one of our many workshops who deserves special recognition. The Photographer of the Month is chosen by the Better Moments workshop experts, including Better Moments CEO, Christian Nørgaard. Sigge Skarsfjäll was awarded Photographer Of The Month, October 2015 Sigge Skarsfjäll, from Sweden, is an advanced enthusiast who went with Better Moments to Söderåsen in His photography interests are landscape, architectural, product and portrait. In recent years, Sigge has developed his skills and experience greatly to be able to manage assignments in different genres. He has attended workshops in model, studio, landscape and most recently wedding photography. OF THE MONTH BETTERMOMENTS.COM