Film Photography & Darkroom Printing on Norway’s Lyngør Islands
Film Photography & Darkroom Printing on Norway’s Lyngør Islands
- Group Size 12 People Maximum
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Travel Style
On the Water
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When you join one of our trips, we want you to have peace of mind. In response to COVID-19, we’ve:
- Implemented expansive new safety protocols
- Reduced trip deposits to just $100
- Made it easier than ever to reschedule your trip
Atlas Obscura is joining forces with Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA) to offer you an immersive photo expedition through some of Norway's most enchanting islands.
Dotted with white houses overlooking the harbor, the tiny, car-free islands of Lyngør look as though they’ve been frozen in time since the Age of Sail. On this six-day journey, we’ll climb aboard a 20th-century cutter, cameras in hand, exploring this spectacular archipelago by land and sea. With the guidance of Ole, a seasoned photographer, and Tine, a textile and sculpture artist, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about these idyllic islands and the surrounding national park through the lens of your analog. We’ll traverse bayside villages and sounds by day, moor in the middle of the historic harbor by night, and in between, dine by candlelight in an old herring saltery from the 1800s—also home to a chandlery, gallery, and darkroom, where we’ll create our final prints. At the end of this journey, you’ll have developed a nuanced understanding of analog photography—and a black-and-white print to prove it!
Our partner, Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA): In order to create and curate this unique experience, we’ve partnered closely with Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA), a global platform for booking creative vacations with remarkable artists and makers around the world, where you can spend one-on-one, in-person time diving into a skill. From bamboo bicycle making in India and shoemaking in Czechia to natural textile dyeing in Vietnam, VAWAA is dedicated to promoting and preserving global arts and crafts and creating a new way to travel.
- Photograph stunning landscapes shaped by the Ice Age
- Learn new techniques from an award-winning photographer
- Sail and swim in the Northern Sea
- Print photos in a herring-saltery-turned-darkroom
- Chat with local historians, artists, and architects
- Stay aboard a 20th-century cutter
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Lyngør!
After traveling from Oslo to the southern coast by bus, you’ll meet your hosts, Ole and Tine, as well as your new floating home, Boy Leslie, in Lyngør. We’ll climb aboard the cutter for a short sail and aperitif, looping through the sound of Lyngør and past a lighthouse before docking at the sail loft. We’ll take some time to settle into our comfortable, dormitory-style accommodations on board. Time permitting, we’ll get our first glimpse of the car-free island while it’s still light out. After sunset, we’ll dig into an elegant candlelit dinner prepared by our chef, chat about the adventures that await us, and toast to our first night aboard the Boy Leslie.
The Sailing Cutter Boy Leslie
Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Out at Sea
Begin the day sipping coffee on-deck, then head to the sail loft for a traditional Norwegian breakfast of hearty breads and spreads. We’ll hold a session to go through gear, dole out film, and partake in a brief technical orientation. Once we’re ready to shoot, we’ll set out to explore the main island. About one square kilometer, the island can be explored without a map—and you’ll have the chance to check it out alongside your guides, camera in hand. Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch al-fresco, then head out onto the water again aboard the cutter and moor in the middle of the national park—perfect for walking, swimming (if you dare), or relaxing on the deck and enjoying the new view. On the neighboring island there are likely goats grazing, and if the resident goat herd is in, we may get the chance to stop and chat with him about his work. We’ll head back to the main island for more free time for you to explore and snap photos on your own. Tonight, we’ll tuck into a delicious dinner prepared by our chef, who will whip up a course or two of goat for the omnivores among us. Concluding our first full day of shooting, we’ll deliver our exposed films to Ole for development and contact sheets.
The Sailing Cutter Boy Leslie
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: The Artists of Sandøya
Wake up to the gentle rocking of our boat, surrounded by the sea. After breakfast, take some time to study your contact sheets and figure out where you’re at with the analog format. Ole will lead a discussion on how contact sheets are made and how they function, and we’ll begin to talk about the process of printing (or enlarging negatives) which we’ll be working on tomorrow. We’ll gather our gear and set out for the neighboring island of Sandøya via ferry. Larger than Lyngør, Sandøya is home to a robust community of artists. We’ll drop by the studio of a renowned local artist couple, Sidsel Hanum and Arve Rønning, before lunching on sausage, snacks, and dessert—all crafted by a local sausage-maker. After learning how the sausage is made—weather permitting—we’ll cruise back to Lyngør through the archipelago, stopping at one of the islands for a gentle stroll. Upon returning, you’ll have the option to take another photo walk on Lyngør‘s other inhabited island. Tonight, we’ll deliver our exposed films to Ole and gather for another candlelit dinner featuring fresh local catch—followed by an abstract group portrait aboard the cutter using some of the techniques and themes Ole has introduced, such as light painting, or using the movement of the boat on the sea.
The Sailing Cutter Boy Leslie
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Darkroom Printing & Exploration
Today begins early, as we’ll be working two-at-a-time in Ole‘s darkroom. We’ll each have around two and a half hours in the dark to create our own black-and-white A4 prints. When not in the darkroom, you’ll get the chance to meet a historian, who will walk us through Lyngør during the age of sailing and the famed battle of Lyngør. You’ll also meet Siv, a local architect, who will lead an architectural walk, pointing out characteristics that make Lyngør unique. Rebekka, Ole’s cousin, will lead meditation and yoga sessions among the sewing machines on the third floor of the sail loft. Of course, there will be some free time to wander the island on your own before dinner. Tonight we’ll be delivering our last rolls to Ole for development and contact sheets.
The Sailing Cutter Boy Leslie
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Continuation of Printing
Today, we’ll continue rotating through darkroom printing, exploration, and activities aboard Boy Leslie. Didn’t get the chance to meditate with Rebekka yesterday? You’ll join her for a sit today. Though you’ll have more time to walk around with your camera today, there won’t be time to develop any remaining pictures on your film, so we recommend you hold onto them to develop at home. We’ll gather for our last dinner together tonight, where we’ll chat about our experiences shooting and printing and enjoy a final evening at sea.
The Sailing Cutter Boy Leslie
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Farewell & Departure
After an early breakfast, we’ll share our dry prints with one another and celebrate our work. Our boat will drop us off at the bus stop and, with sandwiches in tow that have been prepared by our incredible chef, we’ll board the bus and head back to Oslo. Until the next adventure!
Breakfast
Trip Leaders
The listed price of this trip is per person based on double occupancy.
Lyngør typically doesn’t have the capacity for housing groups of travelers, but we’re making it possible with Boy Leslie. You’ll have your own bed in a large, dormitory-style room, separated by a curtain for privacy. The ship has two bathrooms, but we have three more in the herring saltery and sail loft two minutes away. There’s only one shower in the sail loft, but we’ll be able to use a few located in homes on the island.
Our trip begins with a bus ride departing from Oslo on Day 1 at 2 p.m. We recommend you arrive in Oslo sometime in the morning on the same day (or the day before) so you can have lunch prior to meeting the group. The bus will deliver you back to Oslo by 2 p.m. on Day 6. If departing Norway immediately following our trip, we recommend booking your departure for 6 p.m. or later that day, or any time the following day. If you'd like to extend your trip, we’re happy to provide suggestions for things to do in the city on your own.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles over the course of each day, spending time in nature, remaining on their feet for long periods of time, and sometimes walking on uneven terrain. Since this is a maritime trip, you should also be comfortable on and around water.
Whether a professional, semi-professional, passionate hobbyist, or budding amateur, all levels of camera enthusiasts are welcome on this excursion. However, a basic understanding of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed is encouraged, and will allow trip members to maximize the unique photographic opportunities of Lyngør. We recommend having some experience operating an SLR on “manual” (controlling the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed).
You’ll need to bring a functional film camera—whether that's an SLR, rangefinder, 35mm, medium format, or large format—and at least one lens appropriate for the camera you select. It would be best to bring a camera where you can adjust the aperture and shutter speed, and the basic understandings above should apply to the camera you bring. We’ll supply film for 35mm, 120, and 4x5.
- Daily island expeditions, photo instruction, studying contact sheets, and making prints
- Mentorship from an internationally acclaimed photographer.
- Experienced local guides to accompany you for the duration of the trip, as well as special guests throughout.
- Transportation between Oslo and Lyngør.
- Accommodation throughout the trip in the sailing cutter Boy Leslie.
- All meals described in the itinerary.
- Transportation throughout the trip. Travel within Norway will be by foot, boat, and private minibus.
- Admission to all proposed activities, locations, and events.
- A great group of fellow Atlas Obscura travelers, excited to explore all that Norway has to offer!
- 24/7 emergency assistance through Global Rescue.
- Camera, lenses, and other personal photo gear (tripods, camera bags, filters, light meters, etc.) Closer to the date of our departure, we’ll send a packing list with recommendations for what to bring.
- Pre- and post-trip accommodations.
- Airport transfers (recommendations for travel between the airport and our meeting point in Oslo will be provided).
- Travel insurance (recommended).
- Additional meals and drinks outside of Atlas Obscura offerings, including most alcoholic beverages.
- Applying for a Norwegian visa, if applicable.
Trip FAQ
What will the weather be like?
In April, the days begin to get longer and the weather starts getting warmer across the country. The snow begins to melt, creating natural waterfalls everywhere. With blooming flowers and people out and about, spring in Norway is quite remarkable. The weather should be fairly mild, with temperatures typically between 35°F and 45°F.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated, though in most cases ingredients can't be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have a severe allergy, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
What if I want to visit some of Norway’s more classic sites?
If this will be your first trip to Norway, we recommend staying a few extra days before or after the trip to visit any more traditional tourist sites that are not included in the itinerary. We recommend Lofoten up north and the fjords on the west coast. In Oslo, we recommend visiting the Viking Museum, the Munch Museum, and the Vigeland Park.
What are the Visa and/or passport requirements for this trip?
Visa requirements for Norway vary depending on traveler citizenship. Please check requirements for travel to Norway and any countries passed through in transit. A passport is required for international travel. We recommend your passport expire at least six months after your return home.
What positive impact will I have by taking this trip?
In July, Lyngør is a booming place, often compared to St. Tropez. As wealthy tourists flock to the islands for a single season, the community that lives here year-round becomes increasingly threatened by rising property prices. Our trip takes place during the off-season—supporting the dwindling full-time residents when they’re in need of income and putting dollars directly into a fragile economy. Your participation in this trip also helps to support local artists and creators who typically only benefit from tourism for part of the year. You can increase your impact by sharing the stories of these burgeoning artist communities with family and friends, and, if you wish, by purchasing art during the trip. In addition, you’ll have the option to contribute to the Lyngør Residents' Association (LRA). While services such as roads, streetlights, and garbage are public throughout most of Norway, Lyngør more or less has to take care of itself. The LRA is responsible for maintaining island infrastructure, as well as the post office, community hall, and old school—all from the 1800’s—in need of a lot of TLC.
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