It was cold, yes, very cold, average temperatures for this workshop were between -11 and -36.4 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s pretty darn cold. Especially considering we were out for hours, exploring the forest, climbing stairs, and following endless trails.
It was truly a winter wonderland full of large evergreens draping with snow and hoarfrost. While we were photographing it really didn’t seem cold… that is until you stopped moving. Of course we were layered up with big boots, giant gloves, crampons, hats, scarves, and all the other wintry weather gear!
It’s hard to believe that there wasn’t enough snow and ice on the trees to make them bend over at the top but our guide said it is usually much snowier. Still, there was plenty of snow on the trees— believe me! He also said this year the temps were higher than usual.
While walking through Riisitunturin National Park, many times I sank down to my knees if I went off the beaten path. It was difficult to maneuver and in hindsight I would rent the snowshoes. It was an absolutely gorgeous winter scene from the first minute you walked on the trail all the way to the top. I found my best photos were from the halfway point.
We also visited Myllykoski rapids with a cool suspension bridge, ice swirling in the river and winter scenes galore. This was a very photo rich environment with lots of different nooks along the river.
On one of our days, we took a giant sled pulled by a snow mobile up a mountain top to photograph a very dense forest of icy, snow-covered trees. This experience was pretty cool or should I say cold- that day it was -36.4 degrees Fahrenheit (not the entire time) and it felt like it. Our only saving grace was that the wind took pity on us. I took a long, hot shower when I returned to my snuggly hotel room. My room had a heated clothing closet with racks for all my gear along with temperature controls and a timer.
Our hotel was really nice. The breakfast (included) buffet was fabulous. I’d definitely stay there again if I did another trip. I say “if” because it was an arduous trip in my opinion, mostly because during the week that we were there, it was extremely cold— the temperature warmed up considerably by almost 30 degrees the day after our trip— go figure. But, in time (knowing myself well) I will most likely forget the frost-bitten finger tips and attempt another visit. After-all Yellowstone was -38Farenheit last year during my trip and I am heading back again in a couple of days!!
Overall, I loved Finland. The experience and the photography were challenging yet extremely rewarding. The locals were kind and welcoming. For this maiden trip, I used my guide Christian from Norway. He drove 12 hours from his home in Norway to guide for us in Finland as he runs lots of tours in both Finland and Norway for other trip leaders, so he knows the area well. Plus, he’s super chill and knowledgeable.
During the trip we also had a local Finnish snowmobile driver/guide that assisted us in getting up to the top of a steep winding mountain in the snow. He was friendly and knowledgeable and an ex-military man, so he had plenty of stories to share as he kept the fire going in the hut. We were offered sausage, pastry of some sort, coffee, and tea. He could also drive that sled, which I don’t think would be easy under regular conditions but throw in those negative temperatures and all the snow… I wouldn’t want to even attempt the hills or winding paths!
My gear for the trip:
2 Sony A1 bodies (so glad I brought two as one failed on the first shoot)
Sony 16-35mm lens
Sony 24-105mm lens
Tripod
*I should have brought ND filters, heated gloves and boot liners and heavy-duty crampons. If I go back, I’ll be better prepared!
How did my gear perform-not well. On my first photo session my Sony A1 body froze up—literally, I couldn’t move the dials or access the back screen or menus. It was a total fail and cost me valuable time in the early blue hour session. So far the camera has not recovered from that first day, even after constant babying. I was so disappointed that I am actually considering switching back to Canon, I have never once had a Canon camera fail me. And I have been in icy freezing temps with my Canon gear for hours and hours. This is the third time my Sony system failed in both extreme hot and cold weather… I will be looking into this.
I thought this looked like a princess going to a winter ball!
I was all set up to take this shot and my lens got all kinds of ice crystals on it—this is the straight out of camera effect I got. I liked it very much. Color is all natural.
While walking through Riisitunturin National Park, many times I sank down to my knees if I went off the beaten path. It was difficult to maneuver and in hindsight I would have rented the snowshoes.
8 second exposure, I kept the blue tones that were in the original, I just darkened them down a touch.
Half our group on the rock. Our guide Christian walking down to the waters edge.
The old mill from the suspension bridge. I chose a square crop for this.
On one of our days we visited Myllykoski rapids with a cool suspension bridge, ice swirling in the river and winter scenes galore. And on another day, we took a giant sled pulled by a snow mobile up a mountain top to photograph a very dense forest of snow-covered trees. This experience was pretty cool or should I say cold- that day it was -28 degrees Fahrenheit and it felt it. I took a long, hot shower after that day. My room has a heated clothing closet with racks for all your gear and temperature controls. Our hotel was really nice. The breakfast (included) buffet was fabulous. I’d definitely stay there again if I did another trip. I say “if” because it was a difficult trip in my opinion, mostly because the week we were there it was extremely cold— the temperature warmed up by 30 degrees the day after our trip— ugh.
I liked the icy framing for this river shot.
I loved Finland. The experience was great, the photography was wonderful and the locals were all very kind and welcoming. Our Norwegian guide was great as usual. He is the same guide that I use for my Norway trips. The Finnish snowmobile guide was also very nice as well. Overall, I really can’t complain, I loved my photos from the trip and I enjoyed each photo session. I’m thinking of ways to make slight adjustments so I may return <wink>. Again, I just wish it had been a bit warmer. Like maybe 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
My favorite from our 2nd river location.
Also from our 2nd river location.
Just to give you an idea of how frozen it was—this is Frances Fuji braving the cold!
On our last night we had some aurora activity. I got one shot of the river scene that I liked, but I need to denoise it and work on a good crop…I may post that later on Facebook.
Want More Cold Weather Fun!