Nordic Nature Photography Course

The Nordic Nature Photography Course is aimed at those who have a prior knowledge of photography and who wish to develop themselves as nature photographers. We offer an in-depth vocational course that can form the basis of a career in nature photography or higher education in photography. We provide many exciting opportunities to take fine nature photographs.
Discover the variety and beauty that the nature of the Nordic countries has to offer, both to the nature photographer and the outdoor pursuits enthusiast!

Nature photography/outdoor pursuits:
-Animal and bird photography
-Photography from hides/blinds
-Landscape photography
-Macro photography
-Photographing the aurora borealis
-Composition and visual expression
-Nature reportage for publishing
-Planning and executing projects
-Black and white darkroom techniques
-Developing slide film (E6)
-The zone system
-History of photography, current photography with emphasis on nature photography
-Ethics in photography
-Camera technique, analogue and digital
-Digital imaging: scanning, Photoshop, print-outs
-Designing websites for photographic presentation
-Multivision techniques for analogue and digital slide shows
-Introduction to project planning and starting your own business
-Outdoor pursuits techniques, including first aid, dressing for the cold, snow and avalanche, camp cooking, weather, mountain survival in winter.

Excursions:
-Seabird cliffs and the coast of Finnmark
-Lapp reindeer herding grounds
-Wilderness tour in a Nordic country
-Glaciers and coast ranges of Finnmark
-Lapland plateau and river tour (canoeing)
-Ski tour with snow bivouac and camouflage

Course structure:
The course has a modular structure, where teaching periods at Øytun Folk High School in Alta, Norway, and instructor-led photo safaris in the surrounding area are interspersed with independent photo tours, undertaken by participants alone or in small groups. Throughout the course we emphasize individual guidance and help in developing a personal visual style. Participants also gain inspiration from sharing ideas with like-minded nature photography enthusiasts. For three extended periods it is possible to spend time in other Nordic countries, where one can either take part in the nature photography program of another school or undertake an individual photographic project with the help of Øytun´s contact network in Greenland, Iceland, Åland, Svalbard and Nordkalotten.

Applications:
Applications to the Nordic Nature Photography Course must be made on a special application form which can be obtained on request to the school or downloaded here.
The application should be accompanied by the documentation specified here, as well as CV, certificates from any previous photo courses and 4 slides/prints with nature motives covering the following areas:

Close-ups, birds or animals, landscape and - The way I see nature -. (Printsize: A4, ca 20x30 cm)

Previous knowledge required: one year photo course at folk high school or equivalent, plus outdoor experience.

The applicant should have their own DSLR camera equipment and personal outdoor equipment. Further information on request from the school.

Course director Per Arne Askeland can be contacted direct by e-mail.

Loppa Øy, Finnmark. Photo Per Arne Askeland

Jökulsárlón, Iceland. Photo Per Arne Askeland

Actionphotography, Finnmark. Photo Per Arne Askeland