Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
UNESCO World Heritage Site Røros, cloaked in its finest winter splendour, is a photographer’s dream. The old mining town, the landscape, and old industrial facilities offer exciting and varied photographic opportunities. At the river gorge Helvete, in Espedalen, you will encounter the largest glacial potholes (giant's kettles) in Northern Europe, adorned with icicles and other fascinating ice formations. During a seven-day photo workshop, you will have the opportunity to soak up what Røros and Helvete have to offer – and to develop your skills in analogue photography with a group of like-minded people. [Røros and Espedalen January 27 – February 2, 2025]
Note! Registration deadline: November 1, 2024.
Helvete in Espedalen. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
Photographer Bjørn Joachimsen invites analogue photographers from all countries to explore unique and wonderful landscapes in Norway with their large format cameras. Both amateurs and professionals are welcome to explore photographic opportunities and enhance their style and technique during a seven-day intensive workshop. This event is primarily designed for photographers using large- and medium-format cameras, but those who prefer smaller film formats are also welcome.
Langknutgården at Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
Throughout the workshop, we will capture images in the charming streets of mining town Røros, which is lined with rows of old wooden houses. We will have great opportunities for panoramic shots, as well as to find many intriguing details to capture with our cameras. At the top of the town, we find the grand old Røros Church. When it was completed in 1784, this was one of the largest churches in Norway.
Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
Walking the streets of old Røros is a unique experience, and with winter and snow as a backdrop, photographing there is even more special. In 1980, Røros Mining Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a result of the 333-year history of the town’s copper works. We also visit old slag heaps from mining operations. These make great photographic subjects, especially when covered wholly or partly by snow in winter.
Slag heaps at Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
The slag heaps are also part of the reason for Røros' designation as a World Heritage Site. Just below the slag heaps, we find the distinctive Sleggveien. Its small timbered cabins offer a glimpse into the social history of the mining community. The upper houses were home to craftsmen, travellers, day laborers, and single people who did not own farms and livestock to support themselves.
We will also photograph the old industrial sites associated with mining operations. Here, we find open mountain landscapes with old industrial buildings. Often, the wind creates beautiful snowdrifts that reach up the walls of the old structures. In winter frost patterns typically form on the old windows. There are many exciting and varied opportunities here.
Sleggvegen at Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
During the first part of the workshop, we will stay at Erzscheidergården in the mining town. This is unique accommodation, where the history of the mining community is deeply rooted in the walls. Dating back to the 17th century, Erzscheidergården carries the essence of the mining town and is imbued with the same atmosphere as the rest of the wooden house community in the heart of the Røros World Heritage Site. The building and rooms are clearly inspired by nature, culture, and the people of Røros. The old timber walls have been restored to their former glory, and each of the 24 rooms bears its own unique character.
In addition to Røros and the nearby mountain areas, we will also work at the spectacular river gorge Helvete in Espedalen. In Espedalen, we find some of Europe's deepest and largest potholes. Further into the gorge, there are several large and small potholes. The largest one is around 40 metres deep with a diameter of 25 metres. You have to look straight up to see the sky. But you also need to look closely at the rock wall and be impressed by its beautiful nuances of colour. You will find yourself wondering how these have formed at the base of the mountain. Further into the gorge, the ascent begins. The gorge is built over what remains of the original natural river, where only a small stream flows today. Around 9 000 years ago, the river changed course and now flows into Lågen near Vinstra. In winter, Helvete transforms into a paradise for photographers who love to capture icicles and other ice formations.
This beautiful area will be the playground for our intensive seven-day photo tour in the winter of 2025. The focus during this trip will be on improving our photography skills, learning to “see”, and learning how to use our creativity in compositions. We will work with our cameras from 9 to 4 every day. Every evening we’ll meet for dinner where we’ll enjoy local traditional food such as elk and reindeer.
Helvete in Espedalen. Norway. Bjørn Joachimsen.
Most of the time we will be outdoors with our cameras for fieldwork, spending as little time indoors as possible. You should love nature as well as photography to enjoy this excursion.
Bjørn's sense of adventure and exploration, excitement, and enthusiasm will rub off on you, but you won’t need his inspiration to ignite yours; the winter-clad landscape in the mountains will definitely enthral you from the moment you step into it.
Storwartz at Røros. Norway. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Composition, camera adjustments, how to use different focal lengths, how to meter light, use of filters, how to find intimate landscapes, abstract photography, how to see shapes and lines, and much more.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
This tour is for avid nature photographers who want to improve their skills at capturing landscapes and details with a large-format camera. We will therefore pay a lot of attention to learning and applying various techniques in the field of landscape photography and learning to “see” shapes and patterns. This is the perfect excursion for nature photographers keen to immerse themselves in beautiful winter landscapes, and who want to improve their photography. You are guaranteed to return home with a varied portfolio of fantastic images of this beautiful region. You can use the workshop to develop your skills in a documentary or minimalist style – or both!
Practical information
dates
January 27 – February 2, 2025
Workshop hours
The workshop runs from Monday at 11:00 AM to Sunday at 2:00 PM
Instructor
Bjørn Joachimsen
LOCATIONs
Røros and surrounding areas
Espedalen
Participants
Maximum 6
Registration deadline
November 1, 2024.
Travel
Travel to Oslo and return is booked and paid by the participants themselves.
Transport during the workshop
We will be driven around in a nine-seat minibus with up to six passengers. There will be enough space for all your equipment.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation at Erzscheidergården in Røros January 27–31.
Single room occupancy: NOK 1295.- per night including breakfast.
Double room occupancy: NOK 1600 per night including breakfast.
Additional cost for superior room/historical room: NOK 300.- per night.
Rooms are pre-booked for the course group. Send an email to Erzscheidergården – post@erzscheidergaarden.no – to book a room for yourself. Specify that you are a participant in the photo workshop by using the reference “Fotoworkshop”. You should wait until you have a confirmed course place before booking accommodation. Please, do not book via online booking systems.
Accommodation is paid for by each participant and is not included in the workshop fee.
Accommodation at Ruten Fjellstue January 31 – February 2.
Single room occupancy: NOK 1400.- per night including breakfast, dinner and a self-prepared lunch pack.
A reservation has been made. Book your stay by writing an email to post@ruten.no and use “Fotograf Bjørn Joachimsen” as a reference. Please, do not book via online booking systems.
Accommodation is paid for by each participant and is not included in the workshop fee.
FOOD
Participants cover meals not included in hotel accommodation, meaning all meals except breakfast. Alcoholic beverages and special requests are not included.
CURRENCY AND MEANS OF PAYMENT
Currency is Norwegian Kroner (NOK).
You can pay by credit or debit card everywhere in Norway. No need for cash.
Photographic equipment
Large- or medium-format camera. If you do not have a large-format camera, bring a medium-format camera or 35mm camera. If you own both a large-format camera and a medium-format camera, bring both if possible.
Lenses
Film and empty film boxes
Film holders
Loupe
Light meter
Sturdy tripod. It can be windy in the mountains near Røros.
Camera accessories.
You do not need to bring a darkroom tent. I will bring my Harrison Jumbo Tent which you can borrow during the workshop.
clothing
Winter in Norway is cold and temperatures can drop to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.
List of clothing and equipment
Windproof hat
Warm and windproof jacket
Waterproof and warm boots
Sunglasses
Snowshoes. (You can borrow if you do not have your own.)
Poles for snowshoes
Crampons
Contact
Do not hesitate to contact me via email (bjorn.joachimsen@gmail.com) at any time if you need more information.
Conditions
https://www.fotografjoachimsen.no/terms-and-conditions
Workshop Fee and Registration
Workshop Fee: €1 200.
Registration deadline is November 1, 2024.
After registration, you will receive an invoice for a €400 deposit. The remaining amount will be invoiced later.
