It's that time of year again when I look through the images I've taken throughout the year in search for my favorites. This year's no different and while looking through my folders I realized that this was an incredible photographic year and I've captured a handful of images that I'm proud of.
Before I post my best images of 2016 I want to share a few memories and experiences with you that I made through the year. I've had the opportunity to travel a lot this year and have been to Spain, Iceland, USA, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium (plus a few minutes in France!) and Greece plus I've finally started to explore my own country, Norway, more than ever before.
In the first week of 2016 I released my new website and platform CaptureLandscapes. Most of you already know what it is, but for those who don't: CaptureLandscapes is a website where you can improve your landscape photography. The response I've received has been overwhelming and today, a year later, thousands of users benefit from the website every month.
During my travels I've had the pleasure to meet a lot of fellow photographers and photography enthusiasts. It's always exciting to meet likeminded people and it always fascinates me that two photographers can come up with completely different images from the same day.
I've also had the pleasure to work with some great companies and see my work displayed at large venues, such as Oslo Gardermoen Airport where a 12 meter wall displays one of my images. I've also become an official NiSi Ambassador and have worked with companies such as ThinkTank, Manfrotto and Nikon.
All in all it's been a great year and I'm excited to make 2017 even better!
Top 16 Images of 2016
My first two favorite images are captured at a waterfall close to Hemsedal in Norway. I can't remember ever having two images from the same location in my best of the year summary but I guess there's a first time for everything.
The first image was the result of rather detailed planning combined with a little exploring. Since it was my first visit I was not familiar with the terrain but I made sure to visit during the evening when the light would shine on the waterfall and, hopefully, light up the splash.
Climbing down to the river was a little sketchy since the surface was wet and slippery. However, as it normally is, the effort was well worth it.
Hemsedal, Norway
The second time I honestly didn't plan too much. I still knew when the optimal time of day was and since I'd already been there I knew the terrain better this time. The intent of the trip was to go exploring with Mila who was visiting from Spain but the camera would of course come along. As soon as I saw the light through the trees I excused myself and ran towards an advantage point to capture some shots before the light disappeared (luckily it lasted quite a while so after calming down I had the time to focus better).
Next, I have an image from a lake outside of Trondheim. This particular sunset I headed out with my friend and fellow photographer Grete Øiamo and I think it's safe to say that we both walked away with some solid shots.
Jonsvatnet, trondheim
I can't have a best of without including any classics, right?
This year I've been to Iceland a couple of times and I've finally got the chance to revisit some locations that I haven't seen since I was a kid. One of these locations was the infamous Gullfoss Waterfall. While it's still an incredible location, I was most blown away by large amount of tourists. Yet, it is a classic that I do recommend visiting.
Gullfoss, Iceland
In the beginning of the year I set myself a few photographic goals and challenges. Taking advantage of "bad" weather was one of them. I feel that an image that doesn't have a blue sky or perfect sunset often tells a greater story. While on a road trip on Iceland with my friend Johannes Nollmeyer, we really struggeled with the weather from time to time, which resulted in some pretty interesting images. On this image we were battling strong winds and some serious hail.
Vik, Iceland
In the beginning of the year I headed out to the south coast on Iceland hoping to capture some dramatic weather. In that, I succeeded. However, the image that stuck out the most in my opinion was this intimate shot from the cliffs at Dyrholaey. Personally, I really fell in love with the combination of light fog, rain, dark mood and powerful waves, which resulted in a rather atmospheric image.
dyrholaey, iceland
One of the biggest challenges when photographing Iceland is to avoid being too influenced by the images you've seen before. Since it's such a beautiful place and so many great images from there, I really wanted to come back with something different. With this image I feel I was able to do so.
The combination of colors was what made this one of my favorite images of the year.
jokusarlon, iceland
Well, that was a lot of Iceland wasn't it? Not that surprising since I've spend so much time there this year but let's look at some different places too.
This autumn I had the pleasure of photographing Rondane National Park with Swedish photographer Peter Lundqvist. Ironically, it was my first time photographing autumn in Norway. Somehow autumn has always been a season for traveling but now I was finally able to stay in Norway.
rondane, norway
Choosing between the image above and below was impossible for me. Even though they are captured the same week, they tell two completely different stories. Perhaps you can help me out, which one do you prefer? Let me know in a comment!
Rondane, Norway
I do love photographing with my drone, so here's a areal shot from this autumn too. Driving past those two red trees I knew I needed to take a flight!
Mysuseter, Norway
Standing at the edge of a 700 meter cliff is without doubt one of the most memorable moments of 2016. After a 11km hike in steep terrain it was an incredible feeling to sit down and enjoy such a beautiful view (with my feet hanging above a 700m vertical drop!
To capture this image I placed my camera on the tripod, found my composition and used an interval timer to capture a series of images while I stood up and sat down on the edge.
Trolltunga, Norway
Gaztelugatxe is one of my absolute favorite locations to photograph in the north of Spain. I've been there a couple times before but it wasn't until this summer I finally got some good conditions and an image I was happy with. Just don't ask me to pronounce the name of this spot!
gaztelugatxe, Spain
Northern Spain is quite different than the rest of Spain. The coast is dramatic and the weather is always changing. That's why I felt the need to include this image from Liencres I captured a stormy evening with my Spanish buddy Juan Amieva. Can you spot the bird watching us?
Liencres, Spain
In Germany my photographic highlight was visiting the Eltz Castle for sunrise. The moons position was perfect and with the sun just tipping above the horizon this image quickly became one of my favorite.
Eltz Castle, Germany
After an hour waiting in the rain, the clouds finally became lighter and the sun let through. This evening at Litlefjellet in Rauma remains my favorite sunset of the year. Sitting here in peace and enjoying the quickly changing conditions was an incredibly strong moment.
Rauma, Norway
My final image is this shot of Cabo de Faro Mayor in Santander, Spain. I've visited this location countless of times while living in Spain but it wasn't before a visit this year that I finally got the shot I wanted. The sunrise was beyond any expectations an the waves crushing on the cliffs was the little extra.
There you have it. These are my top 16 images of 2016.
What's your number one favorite image that you captured this year? Please share it in the comments as I would love to see what you captured!
